Art Therapy Commons^™

Art Therapy Best Practices For Working With The Deaf Community: Phenomenological Study, Autumn Whiteman

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Art therapy is currently practiced with the Deaf community, but there is a lack of research and a gap in scholarship in the area of art therapy with the Deaf population. There is an intense need for research about the effectiveness and potential benefit of art therapy with the Deaf population. A phenomenological research model was used to collect interview responses from art therapists and to analyze them for common themes. This study intended to provide a list of some art therapy best practices for working with the Deaf community in a clinical capacity. However, due to a lack of …

Exploring The Variant Experiences Through Which Racial/Ethnic Minorities Select Art Therapy As A Career, Mary Ritchie Roberts

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study implemented a phenomenological approach to the inquiry of the career decisions of racial/ethnic minorities leading to selection of art therapy as a career. Gottfredson’s Career Theory was used to design interview questions to elicit the perspectives of ten racial/ethnic minority members about their career choice of art therapy. This study used post-intentional phenomenological qualitative coding of data to understand the decisions and contributing factors to racial/ethnic minorities selecting a career in art therapy. The findings suggest factors including: personal characteristics, interests, personal and professional beliefs, cultural beliefs, influential people, social contexts, experiences, and encounters contributed to racial/ethnic minority …

Exploring Watercolor Painting: Implications For Art Therapy, Brooklynn S. Dimit

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This self-study explored the process and materials of watercolor painting by creating artworks and documenting my experiences through written reflections. I created artwork and written reflections during eight art making experiences. A research team analyzed qualitative data including eight pieces of artwork and written responses to compare and contrast my experiences while immersed in the techniques. The research team discovered patterns of thoughts and feelings related to each art making experience. Implications are made for the process and materials of watercolor painting for art therapy practice.

An Art-Based Workbook For Adolescent Adoptees Within The Context Of Art Therapy, Kelly E. Gupta

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The aim of this paper is to elucidate the use of art therapy with adolescents experiencing adoption, culminating in the creation of an art-based workbook. Through the existing literature, the author explored research questions related to adjustment and attachment of adolescents in their adoptive family, necessary components of a workbook intended for an adolescent, important areas for adolescents to explore when transitioning to an adoptive home, who will be able to use the workbook, and how to make the workbook most accessible for the intended population. The method for the project included identifying common challenges of adolescent adoptees, indicating the …

Coping With Cancer: An Art Therapy Approach, Elizabeth Dumke

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This capstone project proposed an art therapy case study to explore the impact of art therapy on coping with physical and psychological effects of cancer treatment on a young adult cancer survivor. A review of the literature identified a gap in research exploring art therapy among young adult cancer survivors. Art therapy and other interventions such as wellness-based psychotherapy, yoga, and music therapy have been explored among individuals going through cancer, but there is lack of research exploring cancer survivorship among individuals in the specific age range of 18-39. This proposed project outlined eight individual art therapy sessions with a …

Exploring Art Therapy Student Professional Identity Through Eco Art Making, Alana N. Chandler

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This self-study was organized using Moustakas Heuristic Model, and focused on the exploration of my art therapy student professional identity through eco art making. A gap in the existing literature was identified and is addressed through this self- exploration of professional identity through eco art making during full time graduate education. The following research questions were studied: what themes emerge in my eco art making and reflections, does eco art making in nature and using natural materials affect my approach to clients, and how does eco art making express my exploration of boundaries, countertransference, transference, work and life balance, self-care, …

Unconventional Processes And Materials In Art Making: Implications For Art Therapy Practice, Alyssa Hayes

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Using Moustakas’ heuristic self-study methodology, this research explored the use of unconventional art processes and materials in artmaking. Due to a lack of literature on processes and material in art therapy practices, this self-study aimed to answer the following: how does the use of unconventional materials affect the creative experience; what is the influence of the maker and what is the influence of the material in the creation; what themes, if any, emerge within the artwork and the art making process when using unconventional materials; and what are some implications for using unconventional materials and processes in art therapy? Themes, …

An Existential Art Therapy Approach: Early Stage Alzheimer’S Disease, Leah Damour

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This capstone proposed an existential art therapy approach to improve coping for an individual with Early Stage Alzheimer’s disease. A review of the available literature emphasized the differences between memory loss due to neurocognitive decline and symptoms of normal aging, as well as a gap in research relating existential art therapy to treatment options for people with the disease. A variety of treatment options were highlighted despite treatment options, no medical cure is currently available, stressing the need for more research in the area of treatment options for symptoms of distress. The project proposed nine individual art therapy sessions with …

Implications For Art Therapy: An Art Based Self Study Of Female-To-Male Transition, Sam Ezra Scheidler

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This study was conducted to examine the impact of gender transition during the course of study in a graduate art therapy program, and to provide possible implications for the art therapy profession in relation to work with and education about transgender people. The existing literature on the transgender population and their needs was summarized, as was literature about gender-affirming care and competencies within the mental health fields. A heuristic art-based self-study was conducted over the course of one semester, and the data (artworks and writing) was analyzed by a research team. The major themes found were: family response to transition, …

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Addressing Anxiety Through Art Therapy, Ashley M. Ruggerio

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This project attempted to investigate the impact of art therapy interventions with women diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) in response to the lack of mental health interventions available to younger women experiencing POI. Literature indicates there are numerous psychosocial and group interventions available to women diagnosed with POI, however there is a lack of research available for younger women diagnosed with POI. Women are finding out at much younger ages they are experiencing POI, which may cause significant psychological distress. Art therapy has proven to be an effective intervention with those suffering from the psychological effects of various illnesses. …

Art Therapy For Military Families Experiencing Deployment: Building Resiliency In The Studio, Kimberly J. Markovitz

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This qualitative phenomenological multiple family art therapy research study was designed to explore family experiences during deployment and their perceptions of participating in a multiple-family art therapy group. The multiple-family art therapy approach addresses the psychological impact of deployment cycles on the family lifestyle, and focuses on those who are currently experiencing the deployment of a family member. These sessions were created to provide military communities an opportunity to participate in directed art-making tasks using specific art therapy processes and materials to develop and strengthen psychological resilience at both a family level and community level. However, due to a lack …

Art Therapy Open Studio With Refugees, Ellen V. Hanley

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This paper illustrates the need and a proposal for an Open Art Therapy Studio for Refugees, particularly in the Hampton Roads area of Norfolk, VA. Refugees experience extreme distress and anxiety, and many experience trauma, language barriers, and cultural difficulties. Art therapy as an outreach program has been a growing approach to addressing the psychological needs of refugees across the world for several years. The benefits and limitations of such programs have been explored in this literature review, which provides the backbone for a proposed open-studio, group art therapy program in the Hampton Roads area of Norfolk, Virginia. This study …

A Self-Study Exploration Of The Experience Of Quilting: Implications For Art Therapy, Chelsey Lynette Fawthrop

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The field of art therapy lacks adequate research to support the use of quilting and fiber art processes and materials. This self-study utilized the experience of quilting to investigate the processes, materials, and my experience of engaging in various forms and techniques of quilting during a 12-week period. Sketches and written reflections of the quilted squares were recorded weekly. Qualitative data including a completed quilt made up of six quilted squares and corresponding responses were analyzed to extract patterns and themes from my overall experience. The quilting process combined with the reflection process were examined to identify implications for quilting …

Community Art And The Role Of An Art Therapist: An Autoethnographic Inquiry, Casey Ann Mcdaniel

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The field of art therapy lacks sufficient research support in the role of an art therapist within community art. Literature exists that addresses the potential therapeutic effect the engagement of community art can have on the community. Literature even suggests the method of how a therapist should enter a community. However, no literature exists exploring the role or experience of the art therapist when engaging in community arts. A community based art experience was explored through an autoethnographic self-study aimed to explore the phenomenon of working with a community (outside of the traditional clinical setting), to explore and assess the …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Being A Spouse And Caregiver To A Combat-Wounded Veteran And An Art Therapy Student: An Art-Based, Heuristic Study, Alisa Marie Simmons

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This qualitative, art-based, heuristic self-study was designed to explore the impact of my experience as a spouse and caregiver to my husband, a combat-wounded service member, on my personal self and on my professional development as an art therapist in training. Data from 13 weeks of artmaking and reflective writing revealed the following themes: (1) containment of difficult feelings (2) internal experience versus external expression, (3) effects of injury and caregiving on the marital relationship, (4) influence of personal experience on professional development, (5) effects of caregiving on personal well-being, and (6) the experience of reflective artmaking and writing over …

Professional Bereavement Of Oncology Nurses: A Literature Review, Nicole Ho

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The amount of resources for grief management for oncology nurses who experience professional bereavement is scarce. This review of literature found just four studies based on current solutions that have been provided for oncology nurses in addressing their patient related grief. All of the studies supported that providing resources to address bereavement helped in resolving grief, reflecting, expressing feelings, and healing. This thesis explores factors that exacerbate professional bereavement such as stressors within the work environment, the lack of supportive resources, and the scarcity of research pertaining to how oncology nurses process the death of their patients. Additionally, art therapy …

Art Therapy Assessment: A Study Of Males’ Bird’S Nest Drawings, Katherine A. Efimetz

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Attachment patterns in childhood have implications throughout an individual’s life. Relationship quality with the primary caregiver is said to influence how people interact with others and the world. Studies by prolific researchers such as John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth set the stage for continued research on attachment theory, and thus have lead others into investigating this most heavily researched subject in psychology. Attachment patterns have been identified through several assessments. Art therapy assessments may prove to be useful in differentiating patterns of attachment via graphic indicators present in drawings. The Bird’s Nest Drawing, developed by Kaiser (1996), is such an …

Working Through Unresolved Bereavement Through Fiber Arts And Reflective Writing: A Heuristic Study, Ashley S. Jenkins

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The purpose of this art-based heuristic study was to explore unresolved grief through various fiber art processes and reflective writing. According to existing literature, there are several grief therapy approaches, in addition to bereavement support groups for bereavement. Furthermore, many art processes are described in the literature as being valuable in the grieving process in art therapy. However, there are gaps in the literature describing the benefits and effects of fiber art processes for processing bereavement. A nine-week heuristic self-study was proposed to identify the potential therapeutic benefits and applicability of fiber arts within art therapy for those dealing with …

Materials And Processes In Art Therapy, Gabrielle Irvine

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This review of literature addresses the lack of literature concerning art processes and materials by synthesizing findings evaluating the effects of different processes and materials in the unpublished theses from the Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Art Therapy and Counseling Program. The theses evaluated the effect of the processes of clay work, printmaking, drawing, scribbling, and creating mandalas. The data contained in the theses address specific effects of various processes and materials on clients’ mental and physical states such as levels of anxiety, depression, stress levels, and heart rate. The samples studied vary from the adult inpatient adults to university students. …

Self-Study Of The Usefulness Of Visual Journaling To Facilitate Reflection On Personal And Professional Growth, Tanisha A. Leonard

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The purpose of this retrospective qualitative self-study was to gain insight into the usefulness of visual journaling to facilitate reflection on personal and professional growth. I made daily entries in my visual journal throughout my husband’s deployment as a method of reflection about deployment, family, the graduate school experience, and professional identity. From over 150 entries, every ninth journal entry was designated data which were analyzed through basic content analysis methods. The themes that emerged from the analysis are Containment, Connection, Stress, and Acceptance of Deployment. Each theme that emerged had related subthemes. Themes and subthemes were illustrated with verbatim …

Building A Conceptual Model Of Equine Integrated Art Therapy, Susan Garnett

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This study proposed to develop a conceptual model for equine integrated art therapy. A consensual qualitative research method was used to generate qualitative data. Five art therapists who were combining art psychotherapy and equine facilitated psychotherapy in their practices or were interested in discussing this hybrid form of art therapy were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by a research team for domains and key ideas. The results of the data analysis were triangulated with the literature and researcher’s immersion experiences to make recommendations for the conceptual model and implications for future research.

A Mixed Method Study Investigating The Efficacy Of Art Therapy On Teaching Stress Management Techniques And Improving Social/Emotional Intelligence Of Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Julia D. Willinger

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Adolescents with learning disabilities are a population that not only experience stressors from being in academic settings, but also struggle with social and emotional competency as a result of their diagnoses. Group art therapy can be implemented as a successful approach to impart stress management techniques and increase social and emotional learning for this student population. Six adolescents (N=6) participated in an eight-week long study at a school consisting of eight one-hour-long art therapy sessions. The participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures via the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale, second edition (BERS-2) and a participant experience questionnaire. Additionally, …

A Disciplined Practice Of Art Making And Art Therapist Professional Identity, Christopher L. Porche

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This self-study identified the effects of a disciplined practice of art making and reflective practice using methods such as open studio, visual journaling, and reflective writing on the professional art therapist identity formation of a graduate art therapy student. A qualitative heuristic research method was used as a guide to analyze the intrapersonal experience of a novice graduate art therapist in training. Committee members and I conducted a content analysis of 54 artworks and/or visual journal entries created during the immersion phase of this study conducted during my graduate school experience. The central themes that emerged were identity, creativity, and …

Contributing To Building A Conceptual Model Of Art Therapist Professional Identity, Rachel Davenport Ward

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Art therapists are currently working to solidify multiple aspects of the profession and become more distinguished from counselors. The development of a conceptual model of art therapist professional identity aims to identify essential components that make up an art therapist’s professional identity. Emerging domains and key ideas were identified in a review of the literature and triangulated with the interview responses of participants. The domains identified in this study as pivotal to art therapist professional identity include Engagement Behaviors, Education and Training, Theoretical Approach, and Art Making.

A Proposal For An Art Therapy Intervention To Address Burnout In Family Caregivers With Family Members Diagnosed With Muscular Dystrophy, Emily-Ann Menke

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

There are many difficulties associated with caregiving including increased levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Limited research explores the impact of art therapy on caregiver burnout and there is no literature addressing the impact of art therapy on family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This proposal details an in-depth eight week program design to be implemented in individual sessions. The program outlined explores a series of themes related to a family member’s experience as a caregiver, using art materials as a means of reflection and expression of emotions and feelings associated with this role. The goal of this …

Art Therapy And Cognitive Processing Therapy For Combat Ptsd: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Vanessa Pierce

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

This randomized controlled trial supplemented existing data from previous studies on the effect of art therapy in conjunction with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) versus CPT alone on symptoms of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. The 11 veterans recruited in this study were clinically diagnosed with PTSD, and were randomized by time of admission to either the experimental or control condition. Test measures included the PCL-M, BDI-II, to measure symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress and depression, and the PTGI to measure positive psychological growth. The results on the PCL-M and BDI-II supported trends from previous studies suggesting art therapy in combination with …

The Efficacy Of A Brief Group Art Therapy Intervention To Address Burnout And Compassion Fatigue In Mental Healthcare Professionals: A Mixed Methods Study, Vicky Greene

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The purpose of this proposed mixed-methods study was to explore the efficacy of utilizing a brief group art therapy intervention in reducing symptoms of burnout through a one group pretest and posttest design with mental healthcare professionals who work directly with the mentally ill population. Proposed interventions consisted of three two-hour group art therapy sessions over a period of three weeks with mental healthcare workers measured by the ProQOL-5 for Quantitative outcome, measuring compassion satisfaction (the positive) and compassion fatigue (the negative). Qualitative measures would be obtained from participants’ narratives from research questions, responses from resulting artwork, and a semi-structured …

Nature As The Ultimate Container: A Phenomenological Self-Study On Eco-Centric Art Making With Implications For Practicing Art Therapists, Tyler Maria Dillingham

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

The field of art therapy lacks sufficient research support in the use of art processes and materials. Literature exists that addresses the potential therapeutic effect of a wide variety of traditional art media. However, no literature exists in support of the use of natural materials in art therapy or in working outside in nature. This self-study aimed to explore the phenomenon of working with natural materials outside of the traditional studio setting, out in nature, to explore and assess implications for practicing art therapists and their clients.

The assumption of the researcher is that all humans may benefit from contact …

Growing Up Grounded: Learning To Cope With A Parent Who Suffers From A Mental Illness: An Art-Based Workbook, Shelby Marie Wynn

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Through a meticulous search within art therapy and other mental health professions, attention has been brought to the significant lack of literature on the topic of adolescents living with a parent who suffers from a mental illness. Literature that does breech this topic seems to focus primarily on the adult child, rather than the adolescent. Furthermore, although art therapy touches on its efficacy in developing coping skills in adolescents, it lacks in research and resources regarding this particular demographic. An art-based workbook was created following a modified version of the 12 Step program for teens and informed by art therapy …

The Costume-Making Experience: A Heuristic Self-Study For Implications To Art Therapy, Melissa Mary Sykes

EVMS School of Health Professions Master's Level Capstones, Projects and Papers

Within the field art therapy, numerous processes and materials exist to promote expression of affect and the enhancement of creativity. These mediums are crucial to the progression of art therapy, including drawing, painting, and three-dimensional processes such as clay, containers, and fiber arts. Art therapy is part of expressive therapy, where puppetry, doll-making, and mask-making have moved from the field of drama therapy to art therapy. The evidence for certain techniques, such as costuming in art therapy, is still lacking. This study implies Landy’s continuum in drama therapy as parallel to Lusebrink’s Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) in art therapy, suggesting …