Digital Commons Network^™

Animation As Therapy For Mental Health Treatment Across Diverse Populations And Contexts, A Literature Review, Daneile Tabana

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Scientific research has explored and identified the beneficial relationship between health and creative expression, recognizing art therapy as a source of healing. Animation has been newly recognized as an art therapy medium with potential for therapeutic healing and increased psychological well-being. This review of the literature on animation therapy explores the history of the modality’s interaction with the population observed and the effects of animation on the cognitive processes, discusses current theoretical orientations and treatment options for treating a range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior with animation therapy, and considers culturally informed and client-centered practices alongside traditional …

Community Project: Dominican Palo Dance, A Non-Pathological Intervention To Enhance Youth Therapeutic Engagement In Community Based Healing, Johanny Maria Castillo

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Palo Dance is a Dominican folkloric, cultural, spiritual, and community dance, an essential piece of Dominican roots and their ancestral healing practices. Dominican Palo Dance healing qualities include a variety of Indigenous and diasporic approaches including chanting, rituals, and community healing. These methods not only have healing properties but also reflect deeply rooted cultural practices designed for holistic well-being. The research is grounded in my experiences growing up in Los Guaricanos de Villa Mella, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a marginalized yet culturally rich community. Through participation in youth spiritual groups, community dances, and events, I developed a profound appreciation for …

Monologue Writing And Psychodramatic Techniques With Adolescents Experiencing Suicidality, Justine Rea

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The United States continues to face an ongoing youth mental health epidemic among children and adolescents, coinciding with an increase of suicidal behaviors among this developmental age group. Accessibility to culturally competent mental health support, addressing social barriers, and an increase in research to identify and respond to youth mental health needs are among recommendations provided by the Surgeon General. Currently, there is limited clarity on standards and best practices for treating suicidality across mental health sectors. As such, it’s necessary to explore additional means of support for adolescents experiencing suicidality within the individual therapy model. Thwarted belonging and sense …

The Effects Of Social Isolation On People With Dementia And The Use Of Arts As Connection, Emily Olive

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states issued quarantines and social isolation policies. While this impacted the well-being and mental health of everyone, it had an increased effect on the elderly population and, more specifically, those living with dementia. Social isolation has been shown to cause a quicker progression of dementia symptoms, increase anxiety and depressive symptoms, and worsen chronic health issues. Before the pandemic, research has agreed that a way to combat the progression of dementia and lower the symptoms is through socialization. A critical review of the literature found that the arts may be used to form connections between …

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrator's Attachement Style's Effect On Parenting And Art Therapy Implications: A Literature Review, Patricia Lucas, Patricia Lucas

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Fathers are seen in contemporary society as having a significant impact on their children's development. The processes in which a person's parenting skills are shown to relate to their adult attachment orientation style. Intimate partner violence( IPV) has detrimental effects on children who are exposed to this violence, starting early in a child's interaction with a caregiver. There is a lack in research considering the relationship between children who have been exposed to IPV and the Internal Working Model (IWM) of abusive parents. There currently exists few options for professional interventions, which are often part of Batter Intervention Programs (BPs), …

Improving Quality Of Life And Connection Amongst Pediatric Oncology Patients And Their Families Through Art Therapy: A Literature Review, Gabby Johnson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review seeks to answer the question of how art therapy can be used to improve quality of life and connection between pediatric cancer patients and their families.

This literature review also aims to connect art therapy with traditional medical interventions for pediatric cancer patients as a way to create more integrated and supportive care modality that children and their families can benefit from. With a significant amount of children and families being affected by cancer in the world today, it is important to not only focus on the physical health aspects, but the intersection of mental health as …

Drawing Closer: Enhancing Connection In Romantic Relationships Through Expressive Arts – An Autoethnographic Community Engagement Exploration, Jessica Surprenant

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review aims to raise awareness around the many physical and mental health risks associated with loneliness, especially in today’s sociopolitical climate. It explores how fostering healthy relationships with feelings of connection and intimacy is one promising avenue toward mitigating those risks. Through synthesizing existing research on successful relationships, this thesis proposes a list of five beneficial relationship characteristics and traits that can be cultivated through expressive arts therapy. To further the investigation, this thesis includes an autoethnographic community engagement project exploring a real-life application of collaborative, creative artmaking. Due to researcher demographics, the information presented is geared towards …

Aligning With Adolescents: A Literature Review Of Art Therapy In Residential Treatment Programs, Olivia Moore

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Adolescents in residential treatment programs throughout the United States are a specialized population that demonstrate resiliency and hope every day. Many adolescents in these programs have experienced prominent levels of trauma that impact their ability to function in lower-level programs, foster homes, and in their communities. Residential treatment approaches may look like locked facilities with trauma-informed staff who provide programming options, mental health care, and safe living conditions for adolescents. Without strength-based approaches to treatment, this population may struggle to overcome their trauma, mental health challenges, and developmental needs. In this literature review, art therapy was offered to provide developmentally …

Dance/Movement Therapy: A Novel Approach For Latino Males With Incarceration Histories In Sud Treatment, Aletia Egipciaco

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper investigates how open clients would be to participating and engaging in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) sessions at a residential SUD facility. The questions asked were (1) What level of engagement would clients have and (2) How would they engage in DMT group sessions at a residential substance use disorder facility? A program lasting 8 weeks, aimed at facilitating DMT group sessions, was conducted at a residential SUD facility twice a week. The objective was to assess participant engagement levels and observe their involvement in the DMT sessions. Residents of the facility were invited voluntarily to attend the DMT groups. …

Utilizing Dance/Movement Therapy For Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Development Of A Method, Jayda Pearson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

While there is limited research on the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This thesis introduces an intervention focused on utilizing (DMT) to assist children with ADHD in self-regulation during periods of dysregulation associated with the disorder. The research is backed by literature reviews covering various topics related to ADHD symptoms such as dysregulation, impulsivity, and attention difficulties. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the background of dance/movement therapy and explores how DMT can be integrated with other modalities such as play therapy for a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Towards An Ecodramatherapy: Drama Therapy For Climate Grief & Climate Activism, Emilie Slotine

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

As governments and social organizations fail to sufficiently address the rapidly warming climate, psychological responses such as grief, anxiety, anger, guilt and shame increase, with young people disproportionately affected. This capstone thesis reviewed current literature on climate-change related mental health issues, considered the lack of literature within the field of drama therapy, and engaged in preliminary ecodramatherapeutic work through textual analysis. Seven plays about climate change were coded using qualitative data analysis for shared themes of therapeutic relevance. Emergent themes included The Paradoxical Power/Powerlessness of Humanity, Lost Connection to Nature or Spirit or Culture, Art as Activism and Intergenerational Responsibility. …

Dance/Movement Therapy In The Treatment Of Emotional Dysregulation In Children With Emotional, Social, And Behavioral Challenges: A Literature Review, Sarah E. Scarbrough

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines the topic of emotional regulation as it relates to children with emotional, cognitive and behavioral impairments and the effectiveness of current treatment modalities. In this paper emotional regulation is conceptualized as the ability to modulate the intensity and/or duration of emotional responses. Emotional regulation is explored for both its intrinsic and extrinsic features and how they interact with treatment outcomes. Current psychotherapeutic and dance/ movement therapy interventions aimed at improving emotional awareness, expression, and regulation coping skills are discussed. Group interventions are investigated for their unique contributions to the development of emotional regulation skills. The importance …

Ethnic Name-Changing Among Mandarin-Speaking Music Therapists In The United States And Its Influence On Their Identity: A Literature Review, Ying-Jung Chen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis uses available literature to explore the ethnic name-changing and its impact on the identity of Mandarin-speaking music therapists in the United States. Eight themes are explored in this literature review: (1) the distinction of Mandarin Chinese; (2) the relationship between names and selves; (3) Chinese naming practices; (4) the practice of name-changing among Mandarin speakers in the United States; (5) the reasons behind Mandarin speakers adopting English names; (6) cross-cultural adaptation; (7) cultural adaptation of foreign music therapists in the United States; and (8) the significance of music therapist's identity exploration. This literature review highlights the importance …

One Stitch At A Time: Examining The Self-Care Of Art Therapists And The Potential Of Fiber Arts For Wellbeing, Elaine Chippero

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The goal of this thesis was to understand why art therapists are particularly at risk for burnout, why it is essential for art therapists to engage artmaking for their own self-care, and why fiber crafts are particularly suited for self-care. The literature was collected and organized using reflective journaling and visual–tactile coding and then presented in the following review. The first two sections of the literature review include comprehensive definitions of burnout and self-care and how both concepts have been discussed in literature relating to the helping professions and specifically art therapists. The third section covers the historical context of …

Securing Attachment In The Nicu Through Polyvagal-Informed Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Sophia Schneider

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The integration of polyvagal theory (PVT) and dance/movement therapy (DMT) may offer a nuanced approach to healing attachment between the parent-infant dyad in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This embedded modality offers insight into the manner in which attachment is influenced by a neurobiological basis, as well as how various somatic elements may assist in restructuring the autonomic nervous system to promote social engagement, self-regulation, and co-regulation. Therefore, this literature review explores the core elements of PVT and DMT, including the core rhythms of respiration, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and vascular feedback/rhythmicity, and their influence on improving …

Music Therapy As A Support Model In Massachusetts Special Education: A Literature Review, Bonnie Diamond

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Mental health directly impacts student propensity for making academic progress in the public education system. For children with disabilities, it is especially vital to develop and implement techniques within special education that deliver personally tailored benefits. According to the United States Department of Education, music therapy offers highly effective support to a wide range of students within the school setting so that they may achieve academic success and be supported in their social/emotional development (U.S Department of Education, 2011; AMTA, 2021). In examining the multifaceted ways that music therapy can offer support within the structure of education and mental health, …

Exploring Family Stories Through Clay: A Community Project Inspired By Helen Cordero's Storytellers, Tamar Forman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This community art project presents the development and implementation of a clay workshop designed to engage families in intergenerational storytelling and joint creation of storyteller sculptures, inspired by the storyteller figurines created by Pueblo potter Helen Cordero. The paper presents research regarding the positive impact of intergenerational storytelling on family members' mental health, well-being, self-esteem, and identity formation. Additionally, there is a review of research that points to the transformative qualities of clay, which can enhance people's overall well-being, their sense of presence, wonder, and joy, and their ability to self-reflect. Since this project was inspired by the artwork of …

Breaking The Stigma Of Dance/Movement Therapy And Eating Disorders: A Literature Review, Lisandra Fernandez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the idea of how dance/movement therapy can be a beneficial treatment modality to help individuals with an eating disorder. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a body-based approach that involves movement and dance. It is also a psychotherapy that is focused on the mind-body connection. The main question for this thesis is how does DMT benefit individuals with eating disorders and body-image challenges? This question is important to me because after graduating from Lesley I want to start to work with this population and bring DMT into the work that I do specifically with this population. Throughout this thesis …

The Arts As A Bridge For Connection With Filipino-Americans: A Literature Review, Jillian Mariano

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review focuses on how the arts in therapeutic practice can be utilized to enhance the well-being and mental health of the identified population of Filipino-Americans. This literature review explores the culture of origin of the Philippines, reviewing the country's history with colonization and contemporary influences, the outlook of mental health, and the quality and access to treatment. Filipino values are also examined in connection to the human condition, in addition to the roles of the arts in culture, as well as how Filipino-Americans navigate mental health challenges. This includes the culture created from the Filipino identity in the …

The Use Of Music Therapy With Non-English Speaking Older Adults, Yeeun Lee

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This study explores the unique challenges associated with language barriers and cultural adaptation by immigrant older adult populations, especially non-English speaking individuals aged 65 and older, in English-speaking environment, and explores what music means as a communication tool beyond cultural and language barriers. The researcher addresses three big topics which include the challenges faced by non-English speaking older adults, the role of music therapy in addressing language barriers, and music therapy with non-English speaking older adults. The researcher sought to answer the following question: What does the academic scholarship on music therapy as a form of nonverbal expression say about …

Expressive Arts Therapy And Grief: A Literature Review, Christina Schell Pate

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Grief is a natural human response to loss. This could be the loss of a loved one, a lost identity, a divorce, or the loss of a pet. Just as there are many types of loss, there are also many types of grief. Grief can present as uncomplicated or it can be traumatic, anticipatory, or cumulative. Grief can also develop into prolonged grief disorder as seen in the most updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-RT). Theorists from Sigmund Freud to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to George Bonanno have developed a variety of grief models (O’Connor, 2019). …

The Balletic Mind: Expressive Arts Therapy For Professional Ballet Dancers: A Literature Review And Autoethnography, Madison Borden

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the mental health needs of professional ballet dancers and suggests how expressive arts therapies can be used to address issues surrounding themes of body image, injury and pain, and identity. A review of the research on ballet culture examines both the advantages and disadvantages of ballet for a dancer's overall health. By acknowledging both the negative and positive qualities of ballet, counselors may develop a deeper awareness and empathy for a population that severely overworks their body and mind. An autoethnographic approach was used to allow for personal ballet practices to influence and stimulate academic inquiry while …

Effects Of Dance Movement Therapy On Nonverbal Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Erin Walsh

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis investigates the effects of an approach to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) on communication outcomes in nonverbal children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Drawing inspiration from the DMT mirroring method, the research employed a unique methodology throughout five 60-minute group therapy sessions. The participants, five 13-16-year-old students each with a diagnosis of ASD, attended a private school specializing in behavioral and mental disabilities. Each participant presented with varying levels of communication and language impairments, ranging from nonverbal to minimally verbal. The study explores the intersection of ASD and DMT, focusing on how different DMT interventions can be tailored …

Developmental Transformations And Pediatric Ocd: A Review Of The Literature And Proposal For Drama Therapy In Treatment, Elizabeth A. Lewis

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

One to four percent of the population experiences obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and the majority of cases of begin in childhood or adolescence (Agarwal et al., 2016). Youth with OCD may experience barriers to their personal, familial, social, and academic success. In this Capstone Thesis paper, a critical review of the literature is conducted about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents, standard treatment methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Developmental Transformations (DvT). DvT is proposed as a supplemental treatment method for pediatric OCD to be combined with ERP to combat treatment resistance, address …

Seniors Social Dance For A Sense Of Belonging: Decreasing Loneliness Through Community Connection, Selina Nieves

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This community engagement project explored the benefits of partner dance for elderly individuals in combating loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. Drawing on existing literature in dance/movement therapy and community building, this project aimed to observe the impact of partner dance sessions for the elderly population by implementing an evidence-based dance workshop at a local senior center. Participants between 65 and 85 years old engaged in three weekly partner dance sessions that featured instruction of various dance styles from ballroom, Latin dance, and fusion dance and concluded with an open structured social dancing workshop. Researcher observations, combined with assistant …

Exploring Attachment Through Clay-Based Therapy: A Parent-Child Community Engagement Project, Hilari Stahler

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This research project explores the therapeutic potential of clay, particularly as a creative, sensory-rich process that facilitates access to pre-verbal memories. Grounded in attachment theory and the innovative approach to trauma healing by Cornelia Elbrecht, known as Trauma Healing at the Clay Field®, the study investigates clay's regressive and healing qualities. It examines how its smooth, skin-like texture can activate our implicit memories through sensory experiences. Utilizing a community engagement format, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of parent-child clay field sessions in addressing intergenerational attachment trauma and unmet attachment needs. The research revealed that the unique properties of …

Embodied Integration: How Expressive Arts Therapy Supports Self-Regulation In Adults With Complex Ptsd (A Literature Review), Alexandra Orgera

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder presents a unique challenge in healing due to the absence of a foundation of safety and self-regulation that results from repeated exposure to traumatic stress. This narrative literature review explores the current research on establishing this foundation as a crucial first step in complex PTSD treatment and examines how engaging in expressive arts therapy can foster self-regulation and create new, positive experiences for these clients. Drawing on clinical experience and neurobiological research, the author proposes a model conceptualizing self-regulation as an embodied, holistic process that results from left and right brain integration at multiple levels of …

A Route To Resourcing: Improvisational Expressive Arts Dismantle Barriers To Sexual And Reproductive Health: A Literature Review, Robin Beaudoin

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Expressive arts has deep roots in Black and Indigenous traditions of individual and collective healing, empowerment, and social change which have sustained marginalized groups for centuries. Improvisation has often been a key feature in these traditional practices, requiring participants to engage in an embodiment of the self in context, interpersonal attunement, group cohesion and connection, collaboration and power sharing, empathy, and the unearthing and creation of knowledge and reality. These qualities bear many similarities to theoretical principles upheld in Westernized expressive arts therapy practice and the conditions necessary for social change. Recognizing improvisational expressive arts as an invention and therapeutic …

Engagement With Nature For The Well-Being Of All Beings As Applied To An Urban Environment: A Literature Review, Jen Mcmanus

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

There is much research on nature-based therapy approaches and the benefits of nature to human health and well-being, which include stress-reduction, improved cognitive functioning, feelings of growth and non-judgment, and awareness of the larger world and a sense of belonging to that world (Luo & Jiang, 2022; Naor & Mayseless, 2021). Research has suggested that hearing sounds of nature, witnessing the life cycle of plants, and relating to the diversity found in nature are just a few of the many ways that connecting to nature can contribute to well-being (McEwan et al., 2023; Subirana-Malaret et al., 2023; Yao & Chen, …

The Therapeutic Use Of Heavy Music: Challenging Stigmas And Uncovering Interventions, Lenny Schwartz

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The present review of literature aims to explore the therapeutic use of heavier forms of music including heavy metal, metalcore, and hardcore punk in a music therapy context to decrease mental health symptomology. Mental health symptomology explored within this review includes anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) among others. Most literature reviewed revealed institutional and individual stigmatization of heavy music genres; all literature reviewed served to challenge these stigmas. Even researchers who purported a negative bias towards both the general listening and playing of heavy music and the use of heavy music in clinical music …