Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Using Role Method And Therapeutic Circus Arts With Adults To Create A Meaningful Performance, Sydney Schorr

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis explores the ways in which dramatherapeutic techniques, specifically Role Method (RM), can be used in conjunction with the field of Therapeutic Circus Arts (TCA). The literature reviews the topics of the history of circus, social circus, the current research on Therapeutic Circus Arts, and drama therapy with a concentration on the core processes, role theory, and Role Method. A one-time community engagement workshop project was developed based on Role Method and Therapeutic Circus Arts to guide adults with circus experience to create a meaningful performance designed for self-discovery. Results of the workshop are presented through this writer’s …

Incorporating Stand-Up Comedy In Drama Therapy As A Narrative Model, Mario Dávila

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Stand-up comedy is the purposeful use of humor while telling personal thoughts, experiences, and vulnerabilities to an audience. This literature review will explore what constitutes humor, its benefits to psychotherapy, how it exists in drama therapy, applications of narrative therapy, and applying stand-up comedy to drama therapy. By combining stand-up comedy and drama therapy, the author will argue how this combination can provide an additional viewpoint for drama therapy techniques and an alternative and therapeutic aspect to stand-up comedy.

The Use Of Role Theory And Method To Support Expanding College Athletes Role Repertoire: A Literature Review, Danielle Gervais

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

College student athletes tend to prioritize the role of athlete versus the role of student due to positive early life responses to their athletic pursuits (Menke & Germany, 2019). When the collegiate athlete then retires and/or graduates, they are at an increased likelihood of suffering negative psychological symptoms and/or an identity crisis now that the role of athlete is no longer relevant to their identity. Drama therapy’s role theory and method, an embodied form of therapy that focuses on identity formation and development in a less verbal and more expressive way, could potentially be used as a preventative treatment in …

An Integrated Music Therapy Method For Children And Adolescents With Asd And Trauma, Lillian Gray

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explored the integration of two theories used in music therapy. A literature review of vocal psychotherapy (VPT) and neurologic music therapy (NMT) was conducted. In the literature reviewed, neither theory alone meets the common needs, I have observed, of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a known history of, or current trauma experience. The most significant insight gained from the literature reviewed are the different client needs that each theory approaches. Neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques are implemented to heal the diseased or injured brain. Vocal psychotherapy intervention can heal the injured soul. The …

Considerations And Reflections On Being A Brazilian - Latina Expressive Arts Therapist Working In Usa, Maiara Bastos

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper focuses on the experience of being a Latina expressive arts therapist working in the United States of America (USA). Through literature review and a personal art-based research process, the definitions of identities, therapeutic relationships, and microaggression are discussed and explored. This paper is theoretically grounded in the notion of expressive arts therapy and gestalt therapy as a means to understand the author’s experiences in the field of counseling. Autoethnography and art-based inquiry are used to conceptualize microaggressions within the therapeutic relationship.

With the intent of increasing awareness about the author’s identities, the expressive arts were used to make …

Cultural Considerations For Music Therapists Working With Immigrant Korean Elders In America: A Literature Review, Sin Ae Kim

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review aims to introduce Korean cultural context to music therapists with little to no experience working with immigrant Korean elders and explore within the literature on the music therapy theory the possibilities of better serving immigrant Korean elders in America. This paper is intended to act as a recommendation for music therapists to be able to better serve immigrant Korean elders within their practice through cultural considerations and other key topics. Five key topics are explored: (a) culture and cultural sensitivity, (b) characteristics of Korean culture, (c) Korean traditional therapeutic music, (d) immigrant Korean elders and the issues …

Mindful Monsters: Development Of A Dbt-Informed Art Therapy Method For Traumatized Children In An Acute Inpatient Residential Program, Chelsea Laforce

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In the treatment of complex childhood trauma, emotion regulation is a foundational component in the healing process. It is accepted in the acute inpatient setting that a highly structured, evidence-based approach targets specific needs of the traumatized child. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a model gaining popularity at the inpatient level of care for this reason. Art therapy has been introduced in adjunct to engage the sensory and developmental needs of the traumatized child in this setting, yet there is a lack of research of the inclusion of DBT-informed art therapy. Some phenomenological research has been conducted on the efficacy …

Performance Art Therapy: Integrating Performance Art Into Expressive Arts Therapy, A Literature Review, Brittany Purrington

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper considers how expressive arts therapy could incorporate performance art into a clinical setting. Using literature on both topics, commonalities and differences were assessed to determine whether performance art could be used as a healing method and which theories of expressive arts therapy were most aligned for that process. The literature review begins by defining expressive arts therapy and performance art, and then examining research where performance has been used as a healing technique, such as in drama therapy. Drawing on the author’s own experience with performance art and on the theory of poiesis, a silhouette of a design …

Beyond The Dominant Paradigm: Integrating Expressive Arts Therapy And Narrative Therapy To Best Serve The Needs Of Trans And Gender Non-Conforming People: A Literature Review, Ej Huston

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this paper, I reviewed the past, present, and what I argue is the best possible future for clinical practice with TGNC clients. I began with an overview of the broad approaches to deviance from the norm in the field of mental healthcare: starting with approaching trans people with a pathologizing model; continuing on to a cultural competence model, which was an improvement but did not ultimately challenge the larger colonial framework that led to the pathologization in the first place; and ended with the humanity-affirming paradigms of decolonization and cultural humility.

The literature review was concerned with narrative therapy …

Somatic Experiencing And Expressive Arts Therapy To Support Autonomic Regulation In Trauma Treatment With Adults: A Literature Review, Daniel J. Patrick

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Autonomic nervous system dysregulation is commonly experienced in adults who have experienced trauma and underlies several symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Though established treatments for PTSD have a strong evidence base, they can increase dysregulation during treatment, leading to high drop-out rates. Somatic experiencing (SE) and expressive arts therapy (ExAT) are two emerging methods that support autonomic regulation in trauma treatment. This literature review provides an overview of the use of SE and ExAT in trauma treatment with adults and describes concepts and techniques from SE and ExAT that are used to support regulation during treatment. Several shared concepts …

Flexibility And Fusion: A Method To Expand The Window Of Tolerance For Clients With Eating Disorders, Mimi Richmond

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Due to the complex etiology and treatment challenges of eating disorders, researchers continue to explore multidisciplinary, experiential approaches that target the experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility that are often at the heart of the disorders’ resistant nature. With flexibility woven into its core processes, drama therapy is an embodied and relational approach that is emerging as an effective treatment modality for this population. This project illustrates ways drama therapy can widen the windows of tolerance for clients locked in the rigidity of an eating disorder. A group therapy method which flips the traditional developmental progression of drama therapy interventions is …

The Role Of Community In Meaning Making: Storytelling In Expressive Arts Therapy With Narrative And Traumatic Memory In Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault, Jennifer Murphy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines the concept of body as home in terms of privilege versus human right. This thesis is a literature review examining the repercussions of the traumatized mind, body, nervous system, memory, and soul. This thesis discusses the literature in five sections, and through them, the urgency of community, of healing relationally is strengthened and suggested for future research and treatment interventions. This capstone thesis discusses the relationship between narrative and traumatic memory in expressive arts therapy and the role of storytelling in making meaning relationally. Meaning-making reorients us to our traumatic memories to reframe them in a …

A Virtual Art Therapy Curriculum For High School Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Informed By Bronfenbrenner’S Ecological Systems Theory, Kendra Soule

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

During the 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic became a global health threat. In order to maintain public safety many schools had to transition onto a virtual space using online programs and classrooms. Not only did schools move to an online platform, but also mental health therapy moved to telehealth platforms to serve those affected by the pandemic. Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses the tangible art making process, art piece, and therapeutic relationship as aspects of therapy. With the move to the virtual setting, art therapists had to modify their work to fit the new setting. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological …

Engagement With The Non-Traditional: Exploring Unique Art Making Processes With Residents Of An Assisted Living Community, Carina Fuller

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The older adult population is growing exponentially, however, supportive resources and trained geriatric professionals are not. As part of the aging process many older adults face physical, emotional, and social challenges, plus there is a significant rise in diagnoses of dementia. As a part of a larger care plan, engaging in the creative process of art making has the power to address some of these common challenges. Art making has been observed to engage the senses and stimulate the mind, promote life review and self-expression, help to identify strengths, be a channel to express emotions, and in group settings reduce …

To Love And Be Loved: Art Therapy And Couples With Disabilities, Cailey Bussiere

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Couples with intellectual and developmental disability (ID/DD) diagnoses often seek or are in partnerships, but there are, at present, few treatment modalities for working with such individuals. This population faces unique barriers to creating and maintaining partnerships, such as pervasive stigmatization in caretaking systems which they rely on for support, neurological differences, and an increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Art therapy has the potential to be a supportive modality for this population as it moves creative expression beyond words and supports agency and choice. It can create a context in which conflict can be externalized and understood, exploration …

Effectiveness Of Art Therapy With Children With Both Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity And Autism, Elisandra Lopes

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, I review current art therapy research and methods for treating and understanding children with the dual diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These two diagnoses can be complex and can present similar symptoms and may be hard for counselors to identify the actual issue. Focusing on specific symptoms such as lack of social and communication skills and how utilizing art therapy interventions can potentially help reduce those symptoms will be the main focus of this thesis. The population focus is on children in preschool and grade-schooler settings aged 4 to 12. Then I …

Racial Equity For Registered Drama Therapists: A Community Engagement Project, Jamila Batts Capitman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Mental health professionals are currently faced with an increased need to meet the demands of clients of color who are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Disparities in mental health care for people of color are an ongoing problem stemming from the fact that Western Psychology, the dominant approach to mental health care, is limited by the Eurocentric Worldview. Practitioners who intend to create inclusive therapeutic approaches must consider the unique cultural orientations and historical, social and political realities of clients of color. As of 2021, The North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) requires that 50% of all continuing …

The Integration Of Tbri & Expressive Therapies Continuum: In-Home Expressive Arts Interventions For Foster And Adoptive Families During Covid-19, Jill Stockburger

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

With the onset of COVID-19 and the necessary isolation of a global pandemic, the therapeutic space was forced to redefine itself within the virtual realm as the ripple effect of collective trauma further compounded families healing from complex or relational trauma. Clinicians were virtually invited more into participants’ living spaces and interdependence with interpersonal family dynamics through this evolution. By combing the evidence-based practice of Trust-Based Relational Interventions with the framework of the Expressive Therapies Continuum, a more expansive, embodied, and uniquely client-centered, neurologically developmental approach emerged that engaged the healing potential of the caregiver-child relationship through increased co-regulation and …

Nothing To Lose: A Literature Review On Combating Anti-Fat Bias Through Expressive Therapies, Katlyn Tracy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Anti-fat bias exists and is a pervasive and often overlooked form of oppression that significantly harms the mental health of fat people. Similar to other forms of oppression, anti-fat bias remains perpetuated through ideology, enforced institutionally through discriminatory practices, and enacted through interpersonal harassment. There is growing interest in exploring not only the mental health impacts of anti-fat bias, but also the development of effective therapeutic interventions to support fat people impacted by it. However, research on therapeutic strategies for combating this issue remains scarce. The field of Expressive Therapies, with its range of creative modalities and focus on engaging …

The Effectiveness Of Art Therapy As A Treatment Modality In Improving Quality Of Life For Adults With Chronic Pain, Kayley Nelson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The efficacy of art therapy is explored in the context of improving the quality of life and mental health of individuals experiencing chronic pain. The exploration and examination of previous research on chronic pain and art therapy have led to various interconnected themes that tie together the needs of this population with the healing aspects of this treatment method. Through gathering data on both the negative impact of chronic pain and the healing aspects of art therapy and exploring research on chronic pain art therapy groups already in action, it can be deduced that future research may further illuminate the …

Starting At The Root: Dance/Movement Therapy Implications For Early Childhood Anti-Bias Education, Ashlyn O'Dowd

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores implications for dance/movement therapy as a tool for early childhood anti-bias education. Bias and prejudice are consistently consumed by children in American society. The presence of racial prejudice and cisnormativity in children’s everyday environments distort understandings of race and gender, and guide the development of conscious and unconscious bias in early childhood. Dance/movement therapy, specializing in body-based practice and non-verbal communication, provides a unique approach to anti-bias work through somatic methods. With a focus on race and gender, this literature review discusses bias in children, bias communicated through the body and behavior, early childhood anti-bias education, and …

“Rage Defends Against Overwhelming Loss”: A Literature Review On Women, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, And Anger, Sarah Maeder

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

A literature review examining the difference in anger as a symptom of PTSD based on gender. The focus was on how gender roles and stereotypes impact women’s, as well as providers’, interpretation, expression, acknowledgement, and suppression of anger. By researching civilian survivors of non-combat trauma, the review examined PTSD and symptom discrepancies along a gender divide. Emphasis was placed on the creation of gender as a social construct. Significant nuance was discovered when defining anger, its means of expression, and measurement tools, particularly when interacting with gender. The history of art therapy as a treatment modality for PTSD and anger …

My Voice Is In My Sword: Stage Combat As A Tool In Drama Therapy, Kristen Pilgrim

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This qualitative study explores the social, emotional, physical, and psychological benefits of stage combat training. Stage combat creates the illusion of violence for stage and film through the use of choreography, safe techniques, and dramatic storytelling. Stage combat utilizes drama therapy principles of dramatic reality, dramatic embodiment, and aesthetic distance. A literature review found circus training, dance movement therapy, social dance, martial arts, and therapeutic theatre to be beneficial for participants socially, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Stage combat has much in common with these domains and it stands to reason that it would also be a beneficial practice. This theory …

In And Through The Body: The Benefits Of Dance/Movement Therapy On The Mental Health Of Lgbtqia+ Adults; A Literature Review, Maria Napoli

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The benefits of dance/movement therapy on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ adults is a topic that is widely underexplored. It is one that is of utmost importance due to the body-based nature of LGBTQIA+ experiences. This literature review will further elaborate on the complexities of LGBTQIA+ identities and the incredible impacts that dance/movement therapy has on a body-level. Throughout the research, it was discovered and emphasized that movement as a healing practice can bring a sense of comfort and allow for expression for those a part of this marginalized community. Diving deep into the understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and …

Integration Through Art: Using Art Therapy To Treat Spiritual Emergencies With Psychotic Features, Andrew Golibersuch

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Spiritual emergencies are psychospiritual crises which often induce dramatic shifts in perception, emotional states, cognition, and social functioning. There is a significant lack of awareness of spiritual emergencies in the mental health profession, which contributes to mistreatment of individuals experiencing spiritual emergencies. Many symptoms appear similar to those of psychosis and are frequently misdiagnosed as such. Modern psychiatry aims to suppress and control symptoms of psychosis. This can be damaging to the recovery of someone experiencing a spiritual emergency. Spiritual emergencies are seen as a natural stage of development with immense positive potential for healing and growth. This literature review …

The Value Of Parental Involvement In Play Therapy With Children Exposed To Trauma: A Literature Review, Kellie Difederico

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review explores current research focusing on parent, caregiver or guardian involvement in therapy for children exposed to trauma. This research differentiates parent as a safe space, or systemic work with family dynamics, from parent as an important role within the healing process. Current methods inspired from the attachment approach to therapy including trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), filial therapy, child parent psychotherapy (CPP), parent child dyadic art therapy, child parent relationship therapy (CPRT), and child centered play therapy (CCPT) are explored, helping to gain a better understand of both clinical and parental perspectives of parental involvement in therapy. …

Art Therapy With Children And Adolescents Experiencing Obesity: Embracing An Object Relations Approach, Rohan Roberts Goldman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis looked at how art therapy can help identify problems in attachment between children and adolescents living with obese bodies and their parents. In this literature review, I examined the dynamics of child-parent/caretaker relationships and the way object relations and attachment play a significant role in the child’s mental health development. Incorporating art therapy into the treatment for this population has shown some signs of improving the dynamic between children and their caretaker. Through this research, I concluded that children need a consistent caregiver to be attuned to their needs. If they lack attuned and consistent care, the child …

A Review Of Integrated Embodied Therapies And Racial Healing In Public Schools, Grace Fosler

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Anti-Black racism lies in the social, political, and economic foundations of the United States of America. Race and racism are manifestations of unhealed generational trauma that negatively impact the minds and bodies of all Americans. Black children are exposed to institutional and interpersonal racism upon entering the public school system, leading many Black students to experience discrimination and segregation, exclusionary discipline, and juvenile entry into the Prison-Industrial Complex. Educators have a unique opportunity to engage in individual and collective racial healing while fostering social change and collective healing in students. An integrated approach of individualized coaching and group embodiment, dance/movement …

The Dynamic Intersections Of Race And Gender In Treating Postpartum Depression: How Dance And Movement Connects To Support The Mother-Child Dyad, Stephanie Sinclair

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Part of the lived experience of being an African American mother means experiencing racism throughout life making one more vulnerable to developing postpartum depression and experiencing mental health problems in general. This review examines postpartum depression in African American women from an intersectional and embodied lens and considers the intergenerational impact that racism has on the mental health of African American mothers and children. Conventional options for treating postpartum depression in the mother-child dyad did not include a cultural lens and few studies explicitly considered race and culture or interventions which were culturally affirming. Dance Movement Therapy is uniquely positioned …

Kestenberg Movement Profile And The Peabody Developmental Motor Scale – Second Edition For The Early Childhood Population: A Comparative Literature Review, Hannah Collins

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) and physical therapy (PT) are somatic-based interventions to improve our overall well-being. The difference between the two disciplines is that DMT is focused on the mind, body, and spiritual connection, and uses movement to foster the therapeutic healing process, whereas PT is used for rehabilitation or injury prevention. Both disciplines utilize movement assessment systems to analyze and measure physicality. In DMT, said movement assessment systems measure our preferential movement patterns, whereas, in PT, they assess physical deficits. This paper explores two movement assessment systems: the Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP) for DMT, and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale …