Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Subverting The Narrative: Addressing Gaps In The Medical Model Of Mental Health Through Expressive Arts And Critical Race Feminism Paradigms, Sofiya Kostareva

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper discusses the problematic theoretical underpinnings of the medical model of mental health, first examining the historical development of the mental health field. Reviewing literature on the paradigms of expressive arts therapy, critical race feminism, and the medical model of mental health, the author argues how systemic oppression in such forms as racism, classism and ableism contribute to the issues of mental health accessibility for individuals who possess historically marginalized identities in the United States. The paper concludes with a claim around expressive arts therapy’s capacity toward addressing the theoretical challenges in providing meaningful intersectional care toward diverse populations …

Hands On: Sexual Satisfaction, Communication, And Clay-Work, Courtney Kim Morgan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The topics of sexual satisfaction, communication, and behaving communally towards each other piques the interest of lay people and academics alike. Yet, what is less researched is the potential of art making with clay to influence sexual communication and satisfaction. The innate physicality of (co-) creating has the potential to increase our attunement with our own and each other’s bodies. This in turn has the possibility to directly affect sexual satisfaction and communication. Through the creation of a method and its implementation with three couples and one individual, presented as case studies, this thesis investigates clay-work’s ability to influence sexual …

Lyric Analysis And Songwriting With Adolescent’S Processing Complex Trauma, Peyton Mayzel

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This study examines how lyric analysis and songwriting can aid adolescents processing complex developmental traumas. The use of music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can provide a space for adolescents to express themselves and process their struggles they have encountered in their lives. Music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can also be used as a way for adolescents to build their self-identity and help them to make important life decisions. These concepts are all related to the attachment, self-regulation, and competency (ARC) model created by Blaustein & Kinniburgh in 2005. This model is used in treatment with children and adolescents who have …

Return To An Integrated Self: Using Dance/Movement Therapy With Survivors Of Juvenile Human Sex Trafficking, A Literature Review, Lauren Zampieri

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

As Juvenile Sex Trafficking (JST) has gained more attention over the past few decades, more attention has also been given to the treatment of the survivors. While there has been significant research regarding treatment of JST survivors and the subsequent symptoms that come with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to sexual trauma, little attention has been given to the re-integration process of survivors of JST. Reintegration will include an understanding of intrapersonal emotions, processing the dissociative subtype of PTSD, rebuilding trust of self and others, and re-forming interpersonal relationships post-trauma. Through practice, there have been promising results from the use …

What Was Lost: How Dance/Movement Therapy Can Support The Retention And Repair Of Cognitive Abilities In Cancer Patients, A Literature Review, Sarah E. Menser

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines research surrounding the effects of chemotherapy on cognitive abilities alongside methods of increasing cognitive functioning throughout treatment. Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is seen in many patients undergoing chemotherapy yet has had little attention in cancer research. However, research that has been performed shows that by increasing physical activity during chemotherapy often results in improved cognitive abilities as well as increasing individual’s memory, focus, and multi-tasking abilities. With this connection between physical exercise and cognitive functioning, this author is interested in investigating the idea that dance/movement therapy can assist in the recovery and repair of residual cognitive …

Argo Ergo Sum - I Perform, Therefore I Am: An Art-Based Community Engagement Project, Emily Eckel

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This community engagement project set out to explore how the musicianship identity impacts a musician’s overall sense of self through participation in a mental health focused community orchestra. Currently, in the field of music therapy there is little emphasis on using orchestral music in active music making or connections between music and musicianship identity. This researcher combined the theories of community music therapy and resource-oriented music therapy to develop approaches to this investigation. Phase one consisted of researcher journaling and visual art making prior to and following orchestra rehearsals and one concert. Phase two consisted of a group mandala with …

Group Art Processing For Young Adults Experiencing Complex Bereavement: A Literature Review, Jaran L. Stallbaum

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review distinguished group arts processing as a successful approach to treating clinically diagnosed bereavement, specifically as a sustainable support in the developmental milestones of young adults. Expressive arts therapy interventions were examined as a successful treatment option to sustain expected age appropriate developmental milestones. Current literature indicated that the expansion from cyclical grief theory has opened up multiple opportunities for more dimensional and art inclusive bereavement supports. Peer-support models and age specific processing groups have an evidenced-based presence in service offerings for this age range. Through expressive therapy directives that focus on objectives of meaning making, memorializing, and …

A Holistic Approach To Neuro-Informed Music Therapy For Acute Tbi Rehabilitation, Micaela Connelly

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone project is the development of a holistic neuro-informed method of music therapy for acute rehabilitation from traumatic brain injury. This method is grounded in research in the fields of neuroscience and neurochemistry and has been developed and implemented through the lens of a holistic patient centered theory of music therapy. The review of literature focuses on previous research in neuroscience, neurochemistry, neurologic music therapy, medical music therapy and the overall relationship between music and the brain. The method was explored using one 17-year-old female participant at a Boston area children’s hospital recovering from traumatic brain injury. The patient’s …

How Art Can Be Used To Grieve And Heal: Making Altered Books With Parentally Bereaved Adolescents, Samantha Adams

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Death is a natural and inevitable part of life. The grief response to death is also natural, yet children’s grief is often overlooked. Many believe that children are not capable of grief because their brains are still developing or that they do not understand what death is and therefore cannot grieve. It is true that a child will grieve differently than an adult, but they still experience grief. This paper focused on children and adolescents who have experienced the death of a parent and how they use art to grieve in a healthy way. Existing research supports the benefits of …

Using Dance/Movement As A Part Of A Self-Care Routine To Alleviate Stress In Parents And/Or Caregivers Of Children With Autism, Lori Reaves

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have more stress than parents of neurotypical children (Foster, Swain, and Scarpa, 2018). There is minimal research published exploring the effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) on stress reduction with parents or caregivers of children with ASD. This researcher explored the use of other modalities in studies involving parental and/or caregiver stress. Taking care of one’s self is important but, can be difficult for many people, especially parents and caregivers of children with autism. Movement is our first means of communication and plays an intricate part in our ability to …

Connecting To The Self: Increasing Self-Awareness In Children With Asd, Development Of A Method, Madison Janke

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy is a popular method utilized with the autism spectrum population due to its focus on increasing social skills, developing relationships, improving function, increasing positive body image, and expanding movement repertoire. The literature indicated that mirroring is the most common and most utilized DMT intervention for this population, but it provided minimal alternative dance/movement therapy interventions. The dance/movement therapy method implemented through this research attempted to provide an alternative to mirroring through the creation of a body outline. This method was developed through the theoretical framework of relational-cultural theory, emphasizing the impact that relationships can have on the shaping …

Development Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed Art Therapy Method For Adults With Psychiatric Diagnoses In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Lauren Muller

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Mindfulness based approaches as well as alternative forms of treatment have widely been introduced into the partial hospitalization setting. While the inclusion of art therapy allows individuals to engaged with a tactile experience, DBT and mindfulness informs the individual of concrete skills and coping strategies to be directly applied in the creative space. There has been ample research conducted on the use of DBT in a partial hospital setting, however there is a lack of research on the inclusion of DBT informed art therapy in the same setting. However, small scale phenomenological research has been conducted on the effectiveness of …

Engagement And The Therapeutic Process In Art Therapy With Adolescent Boys In Residential Care: A Literature Review, Lauren Gallagher

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Current treatments for youth in residential treatment incorporate aspects of behavioral based and psych-educational based approaches with point and level systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychiatric services, and psychopharmacological treatment. However, research is lacking on improving the agency, motivation, and motivating factors of the therapeutic process for children in residential settings, specifically adolescent boys. Art therapy with a relational and person-centered focus may be an influential alternative treatment to motivate and engage this population. Within this body of research, the areas of art therapy, trauma-informed practice, relational-cultural theory, person-centered approaches, and the C.A.R.E. model are explored as treatment methodologies with adolescent …

Theatre Crawl: A Series Of Community Engagement Projects, Anna Rich

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis will focus on Theatre Crawl, a devised and immersive theatre experience grounded in the techniques of drama therapy. Beginning as a creative outlet for drama therapy graduate students at Lesley University, Theatre Crawl has provided performance opportunities for students to exercise the creative and theatrical skills which initially brought many of them to the field of drama therapy. From April 2018 to January 2020, four Theatre Crawl events have been facilitated. All events originated from the belief that providing opportunities for drama therapists to engage in personal art-making is an essential practice for the field of drama therapy …

Reclaiming Metaphor; Myths, Monsters, And Narratives With Lgbtq+ Adolescents In Drama Therapy, Christina Dennis

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper will present a synthesis of existing available research on the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ adolescent community within the field of drama therapy with a specific focus on Narradrama and Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth approach to mythology. The literature review of these subjects will be aimed at the future use of Monomyth in conjunction with Narradrama with LGBTQ+ adolescents who are experiencing identity issues and other crises associated with their status as members of the queer community. This literature review will aim to create a base of collated research to aid in future method interventions using mythology and heightened …

Purposeful Play: A Literature Review Of Play Therapy And Projective Techniques Of Drama Therapy, Rachel Rudel

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Both play therapy and drama therapy are forms of expressive arts therapies that utilize storytelling, imagination, and play to promote healing through a therapeutic lens. Throughout history, both fields have interacted with projection through both assessment, research, and storytelling. In drama therapy, the movement from classification of expressive techniques (Lindzey, 1959) to the concept of ‘projective techniques’ is distinctive due to its use of objects such as miniatures and masks to project story (Dunne, 2009). This literature review will explore theories of play therapy and core processes of drama therapy while discussing the similarities and differences of how they interact …

The Freedom To Move: Dance/Movement Therapy And Survivors Of Trafficking - An Evolving Practice, Rebecca Richardson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

Human/Sex trafficking is the use of force or coercion for the purpose of exploiting humans (mainly women) for sex or labor. Consequences of being trafficked include psychological and physical symptoms that may hinder the survivors for the rest of their life if not treated. Survivors of human trafficking are infrequently researched and have limited evidence-based methods of treatment. Even fewer studies have been conducted involving the use of dance/movement therapy with survivors of trafficking. dance/movement therapy is vital to treatment because of its focus on integrating the body with the mind. In this literature review I discuss the effects …

Warming Up To Dance/Movement Therapy Through Humor, Amanda E. Ouimette

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis examined the effects humor has on a Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) warm-up intervention in increasing engagement for individuals in a grief setting who are new to DMT practices. Studies have demonstrated the positive effects humor has on individuals’ sense of comfort and there were notable similarities with the benefits of DMT. The healing advantages of humor were thoroughly studied and the comedic principle of the “Rule of Threes” was chosen and translated into a movement warm-up intervention to create a space that allowed for humor and laughter. This humor strategy for the warm-up intervention was used in a group …

Embracing The Cape: Increasing Social Emotional Skills Using Self-Distancing Superhero Therapy With Middle School Students- A Method, Erika Marinelli

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This research explored the benefits of incorporating pop culture into school counseling. A six-week method was implemented at a middle school which included using superhero therapy, social emotional learning, and the expressive arts. The method used self-distancing techniques to allow the clients a feeling of safety when exploring their social and emotional needs. In the six-week method, students created their own superhero using traits from popular superhero figures and had to embody their superhero to solve both fictional and realistic scenarios, both individually as well as a part of a team. Results from this method indicated that students increased their …

Decreasing Mental Health Stigma One Song At A Time: Using Community Music Therapy To Increase Social Connectedness And Decrease Self-Stigma And Perceived Stigma, Nora Woofenden

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

It is common for people to experience stigma related to their mental health issues. Research suggests that a supportive community can decrease this experience of stigma. Music therapy and performance have been shown to be effective in supporting people in expressing their stories and connecting, but there is little research into methods for building community through music therapy performance. This community engagement project uses the constant comparison method to analyze the impact of a public concert on the topic of mental health, designed to increase understanding and connection around mental health issues. The concert was performed at two different venues, …

Moving Towards Intimacy: A Literature Review On The Use Of Dance/Movement Therapy With Couples, Rachel Kuntz

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Since its development in the early 20th century, dance/movement therapy has sought to help individuals strengthen communication, deepen empathy, build trust, and experience physical closeness. Incidentally, couples counseling tends to address many of the same goals. This Capstone thesis investigated the overlaps between the fields of dance/movement therapy and couples counseling to the effect of understanding how those fields may work together. An initial review revealed that the current research only examined dance/movement therapy with couples who are privileged in the areas of race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Thus, the review broadened to explore how dance/movement therapists work with …

Transitioning Into Assisted Living Facilities: A Community Engagement Project, Alisa Carstens

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Transition is a process and involves many physical, cognitive, and emotional changes for an older adult. In an assisted living facility (ALF), a new community was formed where established residents welcomed new residents into their new home. The residents came together in the morning dance/movement therapy (DMT) groups. DMT has many benefits to help older adults with the transition into the assisted living facility, such as providing the residents an opportunity to learn and rewire their brains through movement. In order to best support the residents and create a sense of community and accomplishment, this project involved a community engagement …

Developing A Method: How Dance/Movement Therapy Affects Pain, Anxiety And Quality Of Life In Pediatric Oncology, Kristin Ranke-Brown

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Children diagnosed with cancer experience physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, general illness, and pain-related symptoms as well as psychosocial symptoms such as emotions of sadness, anger, fear, isolation from family members, and self-esteem changes. A comprehensive understanding of these concerns and symptoms can develop a better means for communication and support of children and their families. Inspired by the potential for dance/movement therapy to decrease pain and anxiety and increase overall quality of life with the pediatric oncology population, the researcher explored the impact of dance movement therapy groups on 4-year-old pediatric oncology patients with varying cancer diagnoses. Weekly …

Therapeutic Use Of Mudras In Dance/Movement Therapy With Children In A Partial Hospital Program: The Development Of A Method, Harshita Bhargava

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Mudras are a codified set of gestures from different parts of the body in Indian Classical Dance and Yoga. Mudras in literary sources often refer to specific hand gestures. The thesis includes research on the use of mudras (hand gestures) from Indian classical dance and yoga in dance/movement therapy (DMT) to yield expressive and healing benefits. The research question explored “the extent to which mudras enhance self-expression and aid in building coping skills for stress, with children in a Partial Hospitalization Program.” An intervention was developed by considering the therapeutic implications of mudras and drawing parallels to elements of DMT, …

Bridging The Gap: Relationship Building Through The Use Of Dance Movement Therapy With Older Adults With Dementia: Literature Review, Goni Rubel Zlotnik

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of this capstone thesis is to examine how the use of dance movement therapy (DMT) can be a beneficial intervention for relationship building when working with older adults with dementia. Studies have shown that dementia is a state where body and mind are in distress (Hill, 2009; Karkou & Meekums, 2017). Therefore, caring and understanding of dementia treatment is vital for maintaining relationships and developing new ones. Person-centered care (PCC) has been used in this thesis as a theoretical psychological framework to support relationship building with elders with dementia. Karkou and Meekums (2017) suggested that due to the …

Healing Miscarriage Trauma Through Expressive Arts Therapy, Ritual, And Healing Circles: A Critical Literature Review, Amanda Mckernan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Miscarriage is the leading pregnancy complication in the United States, yet discussion of it remains a societal taboo that limits women’s ability to receive emotional and psychological support from medical professionals and their communities. This paper presents an innovative method for healing and processing this unique form of grief. Expressive arts therapy is expanding as an evidence-based approach for the treatment of trauma and mental health concerns. Although there is minimal peer-reviewed literature on the use of expressive arts therapy as a singular healing modality for miscarriage grief, studies have shown that visual art, writing, music, and movement have proven …

Expressive Arts Therapy In Performance As Trauma Work For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Community Engagement Project, Lucy Farmer

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

People diagnosed with an intellectual disability (ID) are at a substantially higher risk of experiencing trauma than typically abled individuals. In addition, the nature of ID makes it especially difficult to cope and access treatment. The goal of this research was to examine how expressive arts therapy can support treating this population for trauma. Information was gathered on Trauma-Informed Care, Psychodrama, Drama Therapy, Interactive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and The Storytelling Method. This investigation led to a community engagement project between August 2019-February 2020 that involved the researcher meeting one-on-one with nine individuals diagnosed with ID. A …

Creating Connection Through Dance/Movement Therapy Among Older Adults With Dementia: Development Of A Method, Anna J. Barnes

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the use of Dance/movement therapy (D/MT) with a focus on sensory stimulation among individuals living with dementia to promote a higher level of engagement, connection, and reminiscence. This thesis will provide a literature review on the challenges that individuals living with dementia experience and the importance of a person-centered approach to care that is grounded in relationship (Newman-Bluestein & Chang, 2017). Additionally, the role that Dance/movement therapy plays among people with dementia and the benefits of sensory stimulation within this population are also included. Finally, a Dance/movement therapy intervention that was implemented …

Good-Enough Therapeutic Space Design: A Literature Review And Considerations For Expressive Arts Therapy, Rebecca Kreshak

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis investigates the role of therapeutic space in expressive arts therapy through an interdisciplinary and international literature review. Definitions of therapeutic space and therapeutic space design are explored. This paper is theoretically grounded in the notion of good-enough therapeutic space, which is adapted from Winnicott’s (as cited in Davis & Wallbridge, 2004/1981) concept of a good-enough holding environment and Moskowitz-Corrois’s (2018) understanding of therapeutic space. Personal internship experiences of not-good-enough therapeutic space and a personal arts-based inquiry conceptualizing good-enough therapeutic space are discussed. Research from non-therapeutic and therapeutic settings, for both general and specific populations, are surveyed. The literature …

What’S Emergent? A Literature Review Of Thirdness And The Guide In Drama Therapy, Kathleen D. Moye

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis engages two concepts in conversation: thirdness, which is a quality, awareness, or point of reference between two people in a relationship (Benjamin, 2004), developed within relational and intersubjective systems theories; and drama therapy’s guide from Landy’s role theory, a role in a story that emerges between two other roles and brings balance, perspective, and growth (Landy, 2008, 2009). Both are referenced as essential components of the therapeutic relationship. This thesis is a review of the literature on relational, intersubjective systems, and role theories, focusing on how theorists conceptualize the way a person interacts in relationship to others, the …