Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Re: Traumatizing – The Interactions Between Clinicians And Therapeutic Helpers And Vicarious Trauma, Stephenie Loo

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Vicarious trauma can exist in the therapeutic space shared between the clinician or therapeutic helper and their client. Based on the combined readings of Johnson (2009) and Armstrong et al. (2015), the physical and figurative embodiment of a client’s trauma provides interesting implications for the clinicians and therapeutic helpers involved in the shared therapeutic space. Informed by a drama therapy paradigm, this thesis explores how clinicians and therapeutic helpers have been impacted by their encounters within therapeutic alliances, including how they may have internalized trauma through verbal and physical embodiment in their work. Two 75-minute drama therapy sessions were scheduled …

Becoming: How Expressive Arts Nurture Self-Esteem, Identity And Empowerment, Development Of A Method, Nikah Chevalier-Amy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

A vigorous art-centered curriculum was created and implemented amongst elementary students in a community-based program. The curriculum primarily involved step-dance incorporating movement and music therapy, while also including visual arts, music and aspects of drama therapy. These interventions were included to measure and test if the use of the arts within a community could help improve the participants self-esteem, confidence, sense of identity and empowerment as aspects of their becoming. The participants consisted of six elementary students (four girls and two boys), who were referred by their mentors to receive additional support surrounding their social-emotional development, self-advocacy, timidity, and …

Using Community Drama Therapy To Support Adults With Crohn's Disease And Ulcerative Colitis, Molly Weinberg

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This master’s thesis explores a drama therapy community engagement project, conducted in February 2020, intended to serve a population of chronically ill adults. Specifically, it was implemented for those who have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a combined term for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, autoimmune diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s and colitis can cause debilitating symptoms; some of which include pain, frequent diarrhea, and vomiting, while also affecting other organs in the body (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 2014, p. 9). The chaos of having a chronic illness can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other …

Deathucation: On Childhood Bereavement And Drama Therapy, Morgan Price

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review is on childhood bereavement and drama therapy. The author examines current theories of childhood bereavement, including the chronic sorrow model, the duel process coping model, the tasks of grieving, and a three-part model that looks at significant mitigating factors relating to the death of a loved one. Efficacy of bereavement interventions is discussed. An in-depth look the current literature shows what children need from bereavement interventions. The history of drama therapy and childhood bereavement is also discussed. This paper concludes with a discussion on themes that are identified in the research as being helpful to bereavement including …

I Will Circle Back: A Literature Review Of Witnessing In Developmental Transformations, Chelsey O'Connor

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Witnessing is a core concept of the therapeutic process of drama therapy (Jones, 2007; Johnson, 2009, Sajnani & Johnson, 2014). Major perspectives on witnessing were gleamed from the broader drama therapy literature, including the roles of the audience, therapist, group, techniques, and the self as witnesses within the therapeutic atmosphere. Within one form of drama therapy, Developmental Transformations (DvT), the witnessing circle is used as a tool to highlight and enhance what is being witnessed in the session (Johnson 1991, 1992, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014; Dintino et al., 1996; Mayor, 2010, 2018). This literature review analyzed the limited DvT writing …

In The Wings: Actors & Mental Health A Critical Review Of The Literature, Gabrielle L. Arias

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Studies show that professional actors and performers are more likely than their civilian counterparts to suffer from depression, anxiety, and various other mental health struggles (Burgoyne, Poulin, Rearden, 1999; Geer, 1993; Maxwell, Seton, & Szabo, 2015; Robb & Due, 2018; Rob, Due & Venning, 2016; Seton, 2010). This review synthesizes some of the literature published regarding actors and the negative mental health issues they may suffer, with attention paid to two specific acting techniques that are commonly taught in the United States, Stanislavski’s ‘system’ and Strasberg’s ‘method.’ Using a mental-health lens, a critique of these techniques is offered to the …

Role Method With Patients With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Development Of A Method, Megan Marchant

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Little has been written about the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using drama therapy. Therefore, I explore the adaptation of role theory and role method (Landy, 1993; Landy, 2001; Landy, 2008; & Landy, 2009) with an individual patient in an inpatient hospital setting who is diagnosed with OCD. Through our sessions, which occurred twice a week for three weeks, I was able to see the rigidity and inflexibility which is present in patients with OCD. In my application of an adapted role method, my patient was able to more deeply explore the “OCD role,” as well as start making steps …

How Can Storytelling Facilitate Body Positivity In Young Women Struggling With Their Bodies?: Literature Review, Natalie Slaughter

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In a society that promotes a “thin ideal”, it can be difficult for women to accept their bodies. Body positivity is a combination of positive body image, self-confidence, and body acceptance regardless of size, shape, or weight of the body (Caldeira & Ridder, 2017; Dalley & Vidal, 2013; Halliwell, 2015; Wood-Barcalow, Tylka, & Augustus-Horvath, 2010). This literature review presents an overview of the research conducted on body positivity and storytelling, finding that there are limited interventions currently being used to promote body positivity. A review of the existing literature suggests that storytelling might be an appropriate and successful drama therapy …

Drama Therapy With Queer Adults: Identity Reflection And Expression, Emily Lunardi

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

There are people of every age, race, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, and area of the world that identify as part of the queer community, and drama therapists have the opportunity to address their specific needs. The current literature regarding effective drama therapy with queer people is limited. Affirming and identity-focused psychotherapy that allows queer people to relate to one another has been found to be beneficial for this population. The discussed development of a method is designed to contribute to an understanding of the strengths and limitations drama therapy, specifically projective techniques, narrative writing, narrative performance, and small group embodiment …

How Can Drama Therapy Support The Military Spouse During A Deployment Cycle: A Literature Review, Victoria Stephens

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Between September 11^th 2001 and 2013, over 2.5 million individuals in the American military have embarked on deployments to combat zones, with a recorded 55 percent of the active service members leaving behind significant others for anywhere between 4 to 24 months at a time (Kees, Nerenberg, Bachrach, & Sommer, 2015). There is very little empirical research focusing on the effect deployment has on spouses; but research thus far demonstrates that deployment has a significant impact on the mental health of spouses (Werner-Wilson et al., 2011). Studies in this review highlight general needs and the specific strains of depression, …

Exploring Ageism Intergenerationally With The Expressive Arts, Sarah Masciave

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Ageism is not always explicit. Like racism, sexism, or any other form of prejudice and discrimination, ageism can also take on a subtle, quiet tone that results in making a human being feel inferior. This paper discusses ageism as directed toward the older population and offers expressive arts therapies solutions that bring social awareness to the topic of ageism to people of all ages, as well as empower those who have experienced its effects. It also talks about self-directed ageism and how expressive arts therapies can prevent or repair certain perspectives of self and others to reduce undesired feelings such …

How Can Developmental Transformations Address Culture Shock To Those Moving From Collectivist Societies Into Individualistic Ones, Such As, Chinese Immigrants Into The United States?, Fabiola Valdivia

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Immigration has always existed, and lately with the heyday of social networks and media, we have witnessed high rates of immigration due to different social and political contexts that have forced people to leave their homes looking for a better situation. Many of these individuals have emigrated and continue to emigrate to the United States of America, in search of, what in some cases they believe will be, the American dream.

This document explores the implementation of developmental transformations (DvT), originally a drama therapy approach, with an immigrant population coming from a collective society such as the Asian into an …

The Use Of Drama Therapy To Create Safety In Psychoeducational Groups For Complex Trauma: The Development Of A Method Using Ritual, Embodied Metaphor And Play, Sarah M. Lowry

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this research, I developed a method to bring drama therapy into psychoeducational groups that serve clients who have survived complex trauma. Through the use of play, metaphor, group ritual, embodiment and laughter, I explored the use of drama therapy to increase the experience of a group member’s feeling of safety which I perceived in their capacity to take individual risks and to connect with other group members. I facilitated two separate psychoeducational groups that occurred over the course of 12 weeks, incorporating these elements of drama therapy, and reflected upon my experience of these interventions. Throughout the process, I …

Seeking More Exposure: A Literature Review Examining How Drama Therapy Can Be Used To Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Adults With Diverse Learning Differences, Emily Schwartz

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

It has been suggested that adults with learning differences (LD) may be more susceptible to occurrences of violence, abuse, and neglect. However, there is presently limited research examining posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults with LD. Within this paper, existing literature of PTSD in adults with LD is reviewed. This review includes how symptoms of PTSD in adults with LD manifest, and what treatment approaches are currently being used with the population. According to the literature, it was determined that exposure therapy is frequently used to treat PTSD in adults with LD. This result is compared with exposure elements present …

Drama Therapy With Active Duty Service Members, Leayne Dempsey

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The objective of this capstone thesis was to design a 50-minute drama therapy group session that worked within the interdisciplinary treatment model of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) and its Healing Arts Program located on the base of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. It was grounded in Frydman’s (2016) theoretical framework that partners drama therapy with neuropsychology, and considers elements of Landy’s (1996) Role Theory, J.L. Moreno’s concept of spontaneity (Howie &Bagnall,2016), Developmental Transformations (Butler, 2012) and Sociodrama (Sternberg &Garcia, 2000). It also aimed to further Frydman’s (2016) research by applying it to the …

A Match Made In Mental Health: An Exploration In Using Drama Therapy As An Adjunct Therapy Paired With Psychoeducation, Natalie Doyle

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This project focuses on the use of drama therapy as an adjunct therapy with psychoeducation to increase insight, engagement, and information retention with adults who are managing severe mental illness. The facilitator (this writer) utilized drama therapy and psychoeducation to aid adult clients (20-75years of age) in a goal-setting group. It was conducted with a mixed diagnoses group in a community mental health agency partial care program. The group was made up of English speaking only, Spanish speaking only, and bi-lingual clients. Most of the clients receive government benefits such as Medicaid, SSI, etc. The study took place over the …

Performance As Therapy And Its Role In Community Healing: A Literature Review, Hannah Reclam

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Performance has developed and shifted into therapeutic intent by defining drama therapy, therapeutic theater, and applied theater for the purposes of community growth and healing (Boehm & Boehm, 2003). The cathartic principles of therapy, audience role, and performative story telling support this lens of community alliance (Sajnani, 2013). Further exploration of the specific impact behind each of these modalities of performance work is needed to support its role in community healing. Research collected within this thesis included peer reviewed articles, dissertations, chapters, and other applied quantitative and qualitative studies, including arts-based research. The use of various methods within drama therapy …

Exploring The Benefits Of Developmental Transformations (Dvt) With Adults On A Short-Term Psychiatric Unit, Melanie Pollock

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This exploration aimed to explore the benefits of the drama therapy method, Developmental Transformations with adults on an adult inpatient short term unit. Five sessions of developmental transformations were lead by two drama therapy clinical interns as part of the expressive therapies group offered to patients. The group was open to any patients that were not actively psychotic and participation was voluntary. Patient responses and group leader responses to each session were recorded in a journal and artistic responses were also created. The findings fit into four themes: joy, inhibition vs. freedom, danger vs. safety, and distress tolerance. This exploration …

Radicalizing Role Method: A Literature Review On The Use Of Role Method With Elementary-Aged Youth Within Urban Communities, Kimberly Kidders-Montoya

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper describes the use of Robert Landy’s role theory and Role Method for elementary-aged youth in urban communities. Material is presented with discussion on the needs of young people, or individuals under the age of 18, in urban communities. This research examines current literature using current drama therapeutic methods with young people and the theoretical and methodological foundations in Landy’s role theory and Role Method. This paper uses a critical theory lens to critique current practices as well as examining current American Psychological Association’s (APA) code of ethics; and the North American Drama Therapy Association’s (NADTA) code of ethics, …

Drama Therapy And Transgender Adolescents, Ryan Lisman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Transgender adolescents in the United States are currently a vulnerable population that often regularly face discrimination and are at a high risk for hate crimes (Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, 2016). Developing and implementing therapeutic interventions and models for working with transgender adolescents is essential at this time. In American society, there has recently been a cultural shift towards a greater sense of acceptance for the LGBTQ community (Benson, 2013), but within that, the transgender community has been consistently left behind in many aspects of progress that LGB (Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual) people have benefited from (Benson, 2013). There …