Art Therapy Commons^™

A Systematic Review Of Complimentary Therapies To Treat Symptoms Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Aftermath Of Domestic Abuse, Jordan A. Meeks, Saida Byrami

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Objectives: Explore the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the health of female survivors. Identify complementary therapies that alleviate symptoms of psychological health impacts of IPV on women’s health.

Method: An exhaustive search of published, peer reviewed literature on complementary therapies and IPV was conducted. Databases included PubMed and CINAHL. Each article reviewed was published between the years of 2002 and 2016. The initial search produced 112 articles, abstracts of all studies were reviewed and studies were included if they addressed; a) complementary and alternative therapies, b) post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression and, c) the impact of IPV …

A Wilderness And Art Therapy Program For Children With Social Concerns, Ashlynn C. Wardle

Honors Projects

For my honors project, I created an alternative therapy program for children with special needs. Activities were designed to support children with varied needs such as children with autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities. The program utilizes the most successful factors from the fields of art therapy, wilderness therapy, special education, applied behavior analysis, and speech and language therapy the program to form age appropriate, educational, and fun art and wilderness opportunities.

Nit Nitay Garabame: Analyzing Mental Illness And Art Therapy Within Dakar’S Atelier D’Ex-Pression Artistique, Alaina Orr

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As mental health issues are usually given low priority in countries of sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, mental illness continues to be an emerging topic of discourse (Rand 2015). In Dakar, the practice of art therapy has been used for decades to provide those living with mental illness or going through trauma with a method for selfexpression when words fail to articulate their situations or mental states. Situated within Hôpital Fann’s psychiatric hospital, Clinique Moussa Diop, is an art therapy workshop known as l’Atelier d’EX-PRESSION Artistique1, which provides the space, structure, and material for persons with mental illness to work with …

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 …

An Exploration Of Existential Group Art Therapy For Substance Abuse Clients With A History Of Trauma, Sung Liskin

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore existential group art therapy (EGAT) as an alternate or integrated method in treating clients with substance abuse and a history of trauma. Subjects for this study were male and/or female adults, ages 18 and older, volunteer participants who were in treatment for substance addiction at Tarzana Treatment Centers. A group of seven participants who met the criteria for both substance abuse and history of trauma received Existential Group Art Therapy (EGAT) treatment for eight consecutive weeks. Participants were asked to fill out the Scale for Existential Thinking (SET) at the start of …

Exploring Sexuality Through Art Making, Martha C. Cowley, Jane Gallop, Amanda Hale Feinberg

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the usefulness of art making in exploring sexuality. Specifically, women participating in partners of sex addicts groups and the LGBTQ online community were invited to take an online survey, exploring both visually and verbally discuss how they view their sexuality and how they think others view their sexuality. The data was then analyzed within and between categories to produce three overarching themes: (1) Expressing sexuality: the tension between the self and others (2) The usefulness of art making to explore sexuality, and (3) Limitations and challenges of the study. Through the discussion of the themes, researchers found …

An Exploration Of Creative Arts Therapies In Pediatric Hospitals, Jacqueline Marie Carlson, Hilda Mercedes Galan

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research paper explores the use of creative arts therapies with children and families in a pediatric hospital setting as experienced by the therapists who provide these services. The research investigates art therapy, music therapy and dance/movement therapy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), with an in depth consideration of the role of art therapy services in this setting. The researchers reviewed general literature regarding hospitalization, specifically its effects on children and families, availability and role of psychosocial services and the intensive care units (ICU). Literature discussing creative arts therapies (art therapy, music therapy and dance/movement therapy) was also reviewed, …

The Role Of The Art Therapist: A Multi-Faceted Approach, Lauren E. Peña

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the role of the art therapist in a nonclinical setting. The research dissects the experiences of nine art therapists who participated in an artist residency that was informed by art therapy but was not clinically based. The spectrum of literature reviewed focused on the professional identity of art therapists and therapists as well as social action art therapy and working with Native American cultures. A qualitative approach was utilized through the conduction of a focus group along with four individual interviews, which were both enhanced by a parallel art making process. Analysis of the data resulted in …

Exploration Of The Process Of An Altered Book Project With Women Cancer Survivors, Jillian E. Luz

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the experience of a long-term creative arts project within a women’s cancer support group. Specifically, the research explores the effects of a creative arts project on quality of life. Literature describing cancer support groups has been reviewed, as well as literature published which specifically studied the effects of art therapy with those living with from medical illnesses including, but not limited to, cancer. Qualitative data was gathered through surveys, interviews, and by analysis of the creative art projects. Group participants were offered the directive to create an altered book in which to express their cancer journey. The …

Family Art Assessment And Advocating For Children, Rachel L. Del Dosso

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how Landgarten’s Family Art Assessment can provide clinicians with valuable information about families that can be used to advocate for the needs of the children in the family. A comprehensive literature review covers family assessments using art developed by Psychologists, family art assessments created by art therapists, and the benefits of using them in clinical treatment. The researcher utilized a qualitative research approach. The data gathering took the form of surveys and semi-structured interviews with clinicians at a community mental health agency following their participation/observation in a Family Art Assessment administered to a family on their caseload …

Impacts Of An Artist Residency Program Informed By Social Action Art Therapy, Jessica Bui Lo

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the impact of a three day Artist Residency Program at a K-8th public school on a Native American Reservation. The program is evaluated through a lens of Social Action Art Therapy and aims to uncover how this program impacted a community— including teachers, students, and parents, and facilitators. The researcher examined social action literature, social action art literature, social action art therapy literature, as well as social action with Native Americans literature. The researcher used a qualitative approach, specifically an Inquisitive Case study, in which data was collected through the researchers notes. These notes then informed the …

Adolescent Mentors And The Latino Community, Arazeli L. Melendez

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research explores mentorship as it developed through the lived experience of adolescents who participated in a community arts outreach program, for a lower SES Latino population. The purpose is to identify different roles of mentorships and relationships that contribute to the program. The literature review looked specifically into adolescents as mentors, understanding the developmental impact on mentees, such as peer relationships and natural mentors focusing on the Latino culture. The art therapy literature looked at art therapy and the affects on the Latino culture as well as art therapy process in community-based programs. Utilizing qualitative methodology the researcher conducted …

A Pilot Project Of Art And Eating Disorders: A Self-Advocacy Campaign Through Video Narratives, Sarah Pray

Art Therapy Counseling Final Research Projects

This pilot project of Art and Eating Disorders was approved by The Emily Program Foundation (TEPF) (Emily Program Foundation, n.d.), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit working to eliminate eating disorders through advocacy, social outreach, and collaboration with community partners. TEPF recruited five artists. Artists were interviewed by Sarah Pray and artwork digitally recorded at various locations, filmed and edited by videographer, Eve Daniels. Artists brought artwork and other creative work related to their recovery. The resulting videos were uploaded to the TEPF website (www.theemilyprogramfoundation.org) weekly. The goal of the pilot project was to measure the project's ability to document …

Capturing Success At Autistry Studios: A Qualitative Study, Ali Ives, Vince Colombano, Joey Bava

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

This qualitative study examined the perceived outcomes of participation at Autistry Studios among young adult students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistry Studios is a unique program offering services to individuals with ASD similar to that of a pre-vocational training program. The mission of Autistry Studios is to help students with ASD become independent adults by engaging in “project-based therapy.” A setting is provided where individuals with ASD can achieve personal and functional growth with the use of creative resources like art supplies, raw materials, and power tools to pursue and complete a project that is client-centered. The purpose of …

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 …

The Effects Of Parental Cancer On The Professional Identity Development Of An Art Therapist-In-Training: An Art-Based, Heuristic Self-Study, Ashley L. Sweigart

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

Although existing literature asserts that personal experience greatly impacts the development of professional identity among mental health professionals, the impact of personal crisis during graduate education and training—the formative period of professional identity development—remains largely unaddressed. Through engagement in this art-based heuristic self-study, I examined my own experience coping with personal crisis as an art therapy graduate student. I committed to eight weeks of art making and reflective writing in order to achieve greater understanding and self-awareness regarding the effects of coping with parental cancer and the death of my father on my professional identity development. Content analysis of the …

The Potential Use Of Comics As A Medium In Art Therapy Practice: A Qualitative Heuristic Study, Emma Claire Reilly

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

There exists very little research on the efficacy of different processes and materials in the field of Art Therapy and no research on the use of comics in art therapy. This study explored the potential use of comics in art therapy practice through a qualitative heuristic design. The researcher utilized various processes and materials to explore comic-making, with consideration towards the potential feasibility and accessibility of this medium. Comic art was created over a 14-week time period, accompanied by written reflections about the effect of the various processes and materials used as well as the effect of creating each comic. …

A Comparison Of Human Figures Drawn By Hiv Positive And Hiv Negative Children In Limuru, Kenya, Ruth H. Rand

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

The proposed study aimed to determine psychological sequelae of HIV as manifested in the HFD. The goal of this study was to compare HFDs drawn by Kenyan children with and without HIV, using a modified form of the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) (Gantt & Tabone, 1998). It was hypothesized that statistically significant differences between the two groups of drawings would exist. Based upon differences between the two groups of HFDs, inferences were made regarding the effect of HIV on children living in Kenya. Research suggests that there are significant negative ramifications of HIV diagnosis including depressive symptoms, decreased …

Process Painting With A Woman Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Jaimee Foster

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

This qualitative single case study examines the reaction of one woman diagnosed with breast cancer as she engages in process painting, while undergoing treatment. Process painting involves the continued alteration of a single image over a period of time, either through painting over or chipping away at the current image. Over a period of six weeks, one woman was invited to engage in this process, in order to examine whether the process would have a positive effect on either the physical or emotional symptoms associated with breast cancer treatment. This study focused on the themes of each session, the participant’s …

Art Therapy And Its Impact Upon Marital Communication With Geriatric Adults Suffering From Dementia And Their Spousal Caregivers: An Exploratory Review And Research Study, Ashlyn G. Kubacak

School of Social Work Undergraduate Honors Theses

The World Health Organization estimated that 47.5 million people across the globe were living with dementia in 2015, and this number is expected to increase and eventually double by 2030. The cost of caregiving for someone who has dementia is substantial, with estimated federal costs fluctuating between 157 billion and 215 billion dollars annually. Sixty percent of caregivers rate the emotional strain of caregiving to be “high to extremely high”, and 40% of caregivers are diagnosed with depression. It is therefore important to provide support not only for those persons with dementia, but also for their caregivers in order to …

Spreading Awareness Of Art Therapy To Undergraduate College Students, Whitley Louise Rogers-Richards

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

This capstone project was created to spread awareness of art therapy to undergraduate college students. A few Virginia colleges/universities were contacted to participate in providing informative presentations about art therapy (by an art therapy and counseling graduate student at Eastern Virginia Medical School). This capstone also provided the opportunity to increase the writer’s professional identity. Radford University participated in the study. The informative presentation was created to increase understanding and awareness about art therapy. Anonymous questionnaires were provided after the presentation. The questionnaires allowed data to be collected and reviewed to conclude results about the presentation. There were 30 Radford …

Understanding The Roles And Uses Of Art Making In Art Therapy, Mary Ellen Hluska

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study looked at the role of art making in art therapy, specifically how art therapists value, understand, use, and make decisions regarding art in personal practice and in professional practice. The art-making aspect of art therapy is understudied considering it is art that differentiates art therapists from other helping professions that use art in practice. Additionally, the study sought to illuminate how art making informs both the artist and art therapist identities of professional clinicians. A mixed-methods design was employed to gather data based on inductive and deductive study methods. Constructivist philosophy provided a process for generating ideas and …

Touch Painting: An Art Therapy Intervention On Anxiety In Older Adults, Carrie May Ezell

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study investigated the use of two art therapy painting interventions with anxious older adults in long-term care or assisted living facilities in the Southeast. The control group used ‘traditional painting’ as defined by using a paintbrush and the intervention group used ‘touch painting’ as defined by using a foam core board with tissue paper. All participants in the study (n=44) were identified as having symptoms of anxiety as determined by their facility staff. Participants completed the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) as a pre-test and post-test assessment. Both groups attended four art therapy sessions with the following themes: (1) Free …

The Art Museum As A Therapeutic Space, Sarah Hamil

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explores the essential qualities of the multiple perspectives informing the practice of art therapy in the museum context. Museum-based art therapy is defined as art therapy provided in partnership with museums as part of strategic efforts to engage in community practice. The study focuses on obtaining in-depth information through audio-recorded interviews with seven expert practitioners with direct knowledge and experience in the therapeutic use of art in museums that welcome community engagement. The interview contents were interpreted by identifying salient passages and important points emphasized in participant responses as an exploration into new perspectives regarding the use of …