Art Therapy Commons^™

Art In The Stages Of Suffering And Death, Joanna Aramini

Visual Arts Department Student Scholarship

There has always been a strong link between art and the study of science and medicine, and one of the most iconic images of suffering and death in history to date is Christ suffering on the cross. In this thesis, I examine if and how art can make it possible to transcend human pain and overcome suffering, especially in our modern society where pain is seen as something we cannot deal with, and where we look to medicine and prescriptions to diminish it. I argue that art in the states of suffering and death, closely examining Michelangelo’s La Pieta and …

Art That Heals, Christina Cardona

Capstones

Beryl Brenner was a creative arts therapist for 40 years, and helped veterans heal from war traumas through art all across the city. For the past 11 years, she was at the Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare system in Bay Ridge, where she developed the art therapy program. https://christinacardona1.wordpress.com

說不出的痛 : 家暴兒童的內心世界, Suk Mun, Sophia Law

Research Expression through Art : Visual Studies Faculty

自2012年開始，作者專注研究藝術作為圖像語言的本質，以及如何利用藝術創作介入保護家庭及兒童服務，促進家暴兒童受害者的自我表達，為他們在不利的成長環境之中，提供一處或是僅有的安全空間和渠道，讓他們長期被抑壓的情緒得以適當的宣洩，作為導向他們健康成長的開步。

多年來，作者與相關服務單位的社工和專業的藝術治療師，為家暴兒童受害者特別設計連串的藝術創作計劃，所有完成的計劃都是各方專業共同積極參與的成果。最短的計劃為時半年，大多數是一年的計劃，嚴重的個案會個別跟進至年半或更長。

由2012至今，多項完成的計劃已服務超過六十位受家暴創傷的兒童，當中不少的創傷是經年累月的。本書摘錄了這些孩子的作品，當中展現了驚恐、悲傷、憤怒、迷惘和歉疚等，反映的是他們內心那紛亂不安的世界。他們當中承受的創傷或有相同，但每幅圖像都有其獨特的複雜性，非一個孩子能夠用說話和文字說得清楚的。

本書收錄的每一幅圖畫都是一種圖像書寫（image writing）。圖像書寫不需依賴兒童那尚待開發和學習的語言能力。正因如此，這些作品讓我們看見家暴兒童受害者內心那說不出的痛。

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.

Therapeutic Theatre With Adolescents At-Risk Of School Dropout, Dan Summer

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of therapeutic theatre, a method of drama therapy, on resilience among adolescents at risk of high school dropout. A mixed method approach was employed to qualitatively examine participant perspectives on resilience and quantitatively measure change in resilience. Participants engaged in weekly after-school drama therapy groups to collaborate on developing themes and a script for a performance to be witnessed by an audience of family and community members. Qualitative and quantitative findings were triangulated and embedded to examine relationships. The Behavioral Assessment System for Children Second Edition (BASC-2) and Resilience Scale …

Imagination Station: Activating Creativity In Children With Disabilities, Allison Dukes

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Play is a major topic of conversation when discussing childhood development is associated with creativity and imagination. Although there has been some research involving the creative process amongst children, little has been explored in regards to expressive arts as a technique to further current studies on play. This paper presents a combined method of intermodal expressive arts therapies and play therapy techniques to aid in the fostering of creativity within children with disabilities by utilized the theoretical framework provided by the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC). A current review of literature on the ETC, cognitive functions, and expressive arts modalities is …

How Can The Attunement Needs Of Children With Disorganized Attachment Styles Be Supported Through Expressive Arts Therapy?, Jayne Paley

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Treatment strategies for school age children with disorganized attachment are not well established. This population exhibits a range of difficulties in social relationships and self-regulation. Additionally, children with disorganized attachment generally rely on defense mechanisms and present with other comorbid conditions, adding to the complexity of treatment. This paper explores current research and theories about disorganized attachment and then, on the basis of evidence provided throughout this paper, proposes the concept of attunement needs in relation to working with children with disorganized attachment. The attunement needs described in this paper, derived from the literature, include safety/security, control/power, consistency, affective release, …

Exploring Self-Injury: An Art-Based Approach To Cultivating Empathy And Understanding In Mental Health Professionals, Dana Wyss

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Self-injury greatly affects individuals, their families, and the mental health professionals who provide their care. This art-based research investigates the impact of clients’ self-injury on mental health professionals. It addresses four research questions and applies a methodology that integrates body art, photography, poetry, and dialogue. Six participants (including the researcher) participated in three meetings wherein they artistically responded with temporary body art to two questions, sorted through their photographs, reviewed poetry created about their work, and discussed the study experience. The researcher navigated being a witness-researcher by personally and creatively engaging in the study.

The results present raw, distilled narratives, …

Art Therapy And The Person-Centered Approach: A Method For Breaking Down Creative Resistance With Dementia Patients, Kimberly Nelson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This Capstone explores the use of art therapy with a geriatric population on a psychiatric unit of a small, rural southern hospital. Most of the patients experience symptoms of dementia and are over the age of 55. Many patients presented with resistance to creative pursuits and this researcher utilized the person-centered approach to counter this “creative resistance”. In other words, the patients were met where they were at and accepted unconditionally, through empathy and congruence. The materials that were offered to this population were explored through the creative resistance as well, and a simple number two pencil produced successful results …

A Dance/Movement Therapy Method For Improving Mood States Of Adolescent Girls In A Residential Treatment Center, Selena Coburn

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine dance/ movement therapy (DMT) sessions as a method of intervention, through observing with Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP) and recording shifting mood states in participants living in a residential treatment center. The participants are adolescent female clients age 13-17 years old. They have co-morbid diagnoses including depression, eating disorders, ADHD, histories of abuse and neglect, and oppositional defiant disorder. Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and verbal check-ins are used to determine mood states before, during, and after a DMT session. Data is collected via observations made using a designated …

Mirroring, Social Learning And Dance Movement Therapy With Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review, Megan Fitzpatrick

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The literature review investigated the use of mirroring to help develop emotional understanding through social learning with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research reviewed was used to further cognize how mirroring could give a child with ASD a better understanding of their own and others’ emotions through social learning. The findings revealed that mirroring could be an affective tool to build social awareness of emotions in children diagnosed with ASD. The mirror neuron system (MNS) is the area of the brain that assesses perception and production of movement creating an overlap. Using the idea of the mirror …

Integrating Expressive Therapies And Visual Literacy Skills In An Exceptional Children Classroom, Natalia Torres Del Valle

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The method conducted in this thesis integrated museum education, exceptional children education, and expressive arts therapy practices. Objectives for implementing the method were to learn how to effectively address the unique needs within the exceptional children classroom, as well as to collaborate with the teacher to address those needs through expressive arts therapy and visual literacy approaches. In so doing, I wanted to examine the differences and similarities between museum education and expressive arts therapy and how they can work together to meet therapeutic goals. The method took place over four sessions; each session focused on a work of art …

A Dance Movement Therapy Warm Up Method In Bereavement Peer Support Groups For Children, Amanda Moffitt

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Every year in the United States, millions of children experience the death of a parent (Owens 2008; Stikkelbroek, Prinzie, de Graaf, ten Have, and Cuijpers 2012). Parental death in childhood can lead to severe impairments in physical and mental health, as well as overall life satisfaction, because of the potential traumatic nature of the event (Li, Vestergaard, Cnattingius, Gissler, Bech, Obel, & Olsen, 2014; Marks, Jun, & Song, 2007; Perkins & Harris 1990). Children have previously been neglected in regards to grief theory and the traumatic experience such loss impacts children. Recently, research has demonstrated that self-regulation is instrumental in …

Promoting Cultural Identity Through Dance/Movement Therapy With Immigrant Children, Karen Alejandra Salazar

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The present research project focuses on exploring how culture influences identity and how the development of a bicultural identity affects bicultural individuals. Having a multicultural or multiethnic identity could be a source of strength and/or confusion, bicultural individuals may have difficulties in identifying and sorting their group membership status and their cultural attitudes, values, perspectives, and behaviors (Navarrete & Jenkins, 2011). The present research proposes that dance movement therapy and the Expressive Therapies could serve as a means to allow individuals to explore and strengthen their cultural identity. A cultural identity workshop was implemented with second grade, English language learner, …

Examining Ritual In Dance/Movement Therapy, Jessica Michele Flores

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Ritual practices have long been a part of numerous cultures’ history as mind-body actions performed for healing. Modern day rituals can be observed in baptisms, weddings, or funerals. Rituals have also been adapted into various psychotherapy approaches as effective, time-limited transformative additions through Van Gennep’s transition phases among varying populations. Ritual and dance/movement therapy are established as effective healing processes through similar concepts including sociality, dance, non-verbal communication and being body-based approaches. This literature review revealed the inner workings of ritual performance and dance/movement therapy through neuroscience. This literature review intends to present relevant research on the unique molding qualities …

Circus Arts As Expressive Arts Therapy, Anna Meilman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis investigates therapeutic benefits of circus arts, such as juggling, trapeze, acrobatics, and more, in the context of expressive arts therapy. Circus arts are inherently interdisciplinary, combining numerous creative modalities together, which makes them ripe for incorporating into intermodal expressive therapy. Likewise, the field of expressive arts therapy was built on a foundation of drawing in diverse perspectives and theories. In this paper, circus interventions are examined through the framework of three methods of engaging in creative therapies, which include arts as healing, arts as therapy, and arts in therapy. Literature reviewed on the subject includes history and …

Marble Painting With Veterans To Help Symptoms Of Ptsd In The Mind And Body, Victoria Taylor

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This study is a neurologically-based art therapy treatment investigation to better understand if marble painting can help reduce the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Three marbling painting sessions were conducted over three weeks. The group focused on the main goals which included discovering a rhythm while using fast or slow movements, focusing on this rhythm and become aware of any emotion felt during the process. The participants were encouraged to make a series of marble paintings and to experiment with different colors. The observations found from this study suggest that marble painting should be used as an art therapy …

The 12 Steps Of Alcoholics Anonymous And Adults With Persistent Mental Illness: An Expressive Arts Therapy Method, Destini Kohnen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The problem under investigation is the lack of structured spiritual expressive arts therapy (ExAT) interventions, addressed by use of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) outside of the addictions community. The 12 steps assist recovery, and the expressive arts assist the 12 steps in that endeavor. A person is often the last to realize that they have a problem; they might lack insight into their mental illness. This is the first step of AA – to admit powerlessness, or in other words, develop some insight. In conjunction with an AA based program, expressive therapy groups help patients experience and …

Using Art Therapy Groups As A Treatment For Anxiety Symptoms In An Acute Partial Hospital Program, Jessica Visconti

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The present research project focuses on how art therapy groups can be used in short-term intensive treatment to manage anxiety symptoms. Mental health treatment has shifted into short-term groups, usually without more than ten sessions that can be intimidating for clients struggling with anxiety symptoms. Art therapy can be a way to manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety in a group setting and quickly develop connections within the group members. Art therapy offers a contained structure and format that can create safety quickly. A clay based art therapy based group was implemented in an acute partial hospital program with adults …

Mutual Vulnerability And Intergenerational Healing: Black Women Hbcu Students Writing Memoir, Zelda Lockhart

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study sought to gain insight into the unique experiences of Black women students who were writing memoir toward the goal of self-definition in a Black feminist learning environment at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Two teaching methods included personal plot (an extension of expressive writing that offers writing prompts for emotional closure), and biblio-fusion (a combination of expressive writing and bibliotherapy) (Lockhart, 2017a; 2017b). Interviews were conducted with six Black women participants and triangulated against their personal essays and online journal responses. Personal plot, a form of narrative analysis was used to construct paragraphs on what each …

“I Am Not Deaf”: Art-Based Participatory Action Research With Refugee Women From Burma, Hillary Rubesin

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

There are currently over 65 million displaced people across the world. Refugee women present a unique subset of those displaced. These women often struggle with “triple trauma,” but these complex issues can go unvoiced and unaddressed as the women work to hold their families together in the midst of shifting landscapes and shifting gender roles and cultural norms. The following study demonstrates how the arts can offer refugee women an opportunity to express themselves and process complex issues in effective, creative, accessible, therapeutic, and cross-cultural ways. It details the process and explores the impact of an art-based participatory action research …

Mind In Hand, Anna Olson

Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Papers

This thesis explores the intersection of art and psychology as it manifests in my art practice, particularly in the medium of weaving. The contemporary frameworks of memory and archive provide the basis of this discussion, as well as findings from the field of Art Therapy. Difficult emotions like loss and grief often show up in my work, and I will discuss how artists like Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Sophie Calle also utilize these concepts. In weaving, I capture my internal mental states, memories, and perceptions of the future in a variety of found and gifted objects. Guided by the precedents set …

Open Ears, Open Mind, Open Heart: Active Listening, Mia Nguyen

Service-Learning | Student Scholarship

Active listening is the act of listening with all senses– the body, the mind, and the soul. It means empathizing with another person and finding that place within ourselves where we can listen beyond our initial judgements and personal feelings. It is listening beyond words and allowing our souls to understand, connect, and accept one another. Active listening sparks internal purity eliminating all types of judgement and allowing us to truly take in what another person has to offer. It is “an experience of language as a bodily felt process” in which we have a felt understanding rather than a …

Art Therapy And Art History Theories, An Inquiry, Hannah L. Masters

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research uses critical theory inquiry with interviews and arts-based research to explore biases about art making in clinical art therapy practice. The literature review establishes an historical link between theoretical tenets in fields of art therapy and art history. Participants are chosen from experts in the fields of art therapy and art history. Interviews explore what art making means to each participant, utilizing both verbal and arts-based processing. The data is condensed through coding and arts-based reflection, and seven emergent themes are identified. The themes are checked with the participants for accuracy. The findings of the paper integrate the …

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, …