Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

From Ptsd To Dementia, Can Art Therapy Be Useful For Prevention And Intervention?, Souhad Chbeir

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review explores the possible link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the increased risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic stress and trauma alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway resulting in increased exposure to glucocorticoids (GC). The hippocampus, a memory center of the brain, is highly vulnerable to the effect of the stress hormone GC because of the high density of GC receptors. Continuous exposure to stress causes reduced hippocampal volume resulting in memory problems, trouble in trauma processing and long term health consequences, possibly including Alzheimer’s disease. Trauma also results in reshaping the amygdala, the center of emotions, causing …

Reflection Of A Sensory Art Therapy Directive In Supporting Coping Skills With Adults With Mental Illness, Heather Holloway

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Reflection of a Sensory Art Therapy Directive in Supporting Coping Skills with Adults with Mental Illness

Sensory Jars were created in 3 groups within the partial hospitalization program for adults, dealing with mental health and substance use issues, in order to support learned coping skills through a multi-sensory process. The creation of the jars were intended to specifically support a mindful grounding technique taught at the program called the “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” method. These jars were for the members to have a physical tool in which to help them practice this method before they found themselves within a …

Integrating Art Therapy And Horticultural Therapy To Best Serve The Needs Of At-Risk Adolescents: A Literature Review, Kara Rodecker

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis examines existing literature on art therapy, horticultural therapies, and positive youth development, as they specifically meet the emotional needs of at-risk adolescences. The following paper provides an overview of the adolescent stage of development and how early attachment styles and environmental risk factors contribute to youth being labeled as at risk. At risk adolescents are more likely to have missed out on early attachments that are necessary to experience empathetic attunement, which should serve as the foundation of relationships throughout their life. The multiple environmental risk factors contribute to a sense of lack of control over their …

Community Arts To Promote Cohesion And Gratitude In A Boston Based Children’S Hospital, Katherine Jordan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper explores the impact of a gratitude based community arts engagement project in an urban children’s hospital. The arts have the power to connect communities and practicing gratitude has protective mental health factors. This project connected these two ideas by implementing a hospital-wide gratitude tree project. Staff, patients, families, and visitors were engaged in adding their gratitude to the communal trees over a period of two months. The results of this investigation display the connecting power of the arts and explores the impact of environment in regard to an art enhanced hospital setting. The results of the study revealed …