Art Therapy Commons^™

Camp Suzanne: A Qualitative Case Study On Attachment Theory And Longevity Considerations For An Art Therapeutic Program For Incarcerated Mothers And Their Children, Noelle Palm, Kaylee Falcon

LMU Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative study of the experiences and observations of 4 art therapists and 2 program directors who facilitated Camp Suzanne, a week-long art-based therapeutic program for incarcerated mothers and their children in a federal prison in California. Research on psychotherapy, art therapy, and family therapy in prison environments, with a focus on parent-child dyads, Attachment Theory, and various techniques for creating sustainable therapy with separated family units, including tele-mental health and evidence-based military protocols, informed the interviews. The research participants were interviewed individually and created art regarding the subjects of Attachment Theory with incarcerated-mother-child dyads and longevity considerations for the …

An Exploration Of Art Therapy And Attunement In Treating Families With Dcfs Involvement, Amanda Gonzalez

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research aimed to explore how art therapy may enhance attunement when working with families who have involvement with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The study utilized a focus group methodology to examine the experience of two art therapists with backgrounds in treating families involved with DCFS. Through the analysis of the participants’ discussion, artwork and reflections, several subsequent emergent themes were revealed. These themes exposed various barriers within the system that may complicate the therapeutic relationship, as well as qualities within the art process, which act as an equalizer and source of containment. These themes illuminated …

Medical Art Therapy, Hope Kinney, Elizabeth Mueller

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the experiences and practices of Medical Art Therapists; specifically, how working with clients in a medical setting, often as a part of a multidisciplinary team, impacts the work of an Art Therapist. Researchers reviewed the general literature regarding children and adults’ experiences of hospitalization and utilization of psychosocial services. Medical Art Therapy literature is reviewed next, emphasizing work with children, families, and adults. Informed by the literature, researchers invited Medical Art Therapists to participate in a focus group and/or follow-up survey. Researchers conducted a focus group in which participants discussed their experiences and created response art. A …

Creative Approaches To Enhancing Relationships With People With Dementia, Meg Chang, Donna Newman-Bluestein

Lesley University Community of Scholars Day

Dance/Movement Therapy and nonverbal communication research for caregivers of people with dementia (PWD)--training program

Complicated Grief And Art Therapy, Rachel Brandoff

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Complicated grief (CG) has come to be a common enough occurrence in mental health treatment to warrant research, literature, and discussion of markers, causes, prevalence, symptoms, measures, and treatment protocols. Art therapy presents one possible mode of treatment for individuals suffering from CG, and yet few art therapists know about CG or have training in this area. A systematic review of art therapy programs and educational requirements showed no current standards or training requirements for grief or CG. Art therapists are master’s trained clinicians who work with people with a variety of mental health challenges, and training in CG may …

Starting Over On Stage, Keydra Manns

Capstones

RTA is a non profit organization based out of New York that uses the arts as a way to rehabilitate inmates. Research shows that this type of rehabilitation strongly impacts an inmates behavior, self esteem and possibly reduces their likelihood to return to prison. This is one man’s story on how practicing theater during his prison sentence changed his life.

https://medium.com/@keydra.manns/starting-over-on-stage-3614e7bc0dd9

Interns Matter: Maximizing Integration Of Interns Into Community Agencies, Valerie Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hope Services is a non-profit agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities in six counties. Over the years, there have been many agencies that have formed connections with Hope Services. One of these collaborative partnerships has been with CSU Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) integration of interns through their field placement program. However, recently former Hope Services South District Manager, Greg Dinsmore, witnessed a lack of utilization and integration of interns across all Hope Services agencies. Through firsthand experience as a mentor, he witnessed the benefits of utilizing interns and saw the need for further advocacy and support for the integration of interns …

To Heal, Escape: Using Theatre Arts To Promote Holistic Health In The Clinical Setting, John Filegar

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to provide an argument for the implementation of theatre arts therapy in the clinical setting. The effects of traditional art therapies involving visual arts, expressive arts, and music on the holistic health of the patient in the clinical setting have been thoroughly researched and understood. However, the extent of the influence of theatre arts therapy on the holistic health of individuals in the clinical setting lacks sufficient evidence and therefore cannot be compared to the influence of traditional art therapies on the holistic health of individuals in the same setting. Following an overview on …

Group Art Therapy And Self-Care For Mothers Of Children With Disabilities, Ji Hyun Lee

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a group art therapy intervention on psychological well-being of Korean mothers of children with disabilities. This study employed a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test research design with non-random assignment of participants to either the art therapy intervention group (AG) or the control group (CG). The present study quantitatively examined the effectiveness of the group art therapy intervention using four standardized measurements (Parental Distress sub-scale from Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, & The Multidimensional Scale for Social Support) assessing parenting stress, perceived stress, depression, and perceived …

Evaluation Of The Dyad Bonding Dance Model For Mothers And Infants Exposed To Stressful Life Situations, Hadas Vered Weissberg

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study examines the Dyad Bonding Dance (DBD), a dance movement group therapy model developed to improve nonverbal communication between mothers exposed to stressful life situations and their children. The research emphasizes the importance of mother-child attachment relationships and transmission of stress from parents to children via nonverbal communication, which may affect bonding and child health. This qualitative study assessed the experience of dance movement therapists using this novel model. Broad research questions addressed were: (1) What are dance therapists’ experiences with the DBD model, focusing on its impact or lack of impact in improving the dyadic relationship between mother …

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 Long-Term Effects Of Domestic Violence In Art Therapy Treatment, Ekaterini Angelis

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores the long-term effects of domestic violence through the lens of art therapy treatment. The study is based on a twelve-week long art therapy treatment group for women who have experienced domestic violence. The study includes a literature review and a qualitative analysis of the participants’ artwork and details of their experiences of domestic violence related trauma. The research focuses on two participants and utilizes textual and visual analysis to identify four emergent themes: Family and identity, hope in moving forward, support and connection, and freedom. The findings discuss the value of art therapy in revealing …

An Exploration Of Trauma Markers In The Artwork Of Serial Killers, Kiran M. Haynes

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research is a qualitative art-based study exploring trauma markers found in the artwork of serial killers through the participation of licensed art therapists trained in the identification and treatment of trauma. The literature review covers a broad range of variables that influence the development of mass murderers, and how art therapy may be useful in working with serial killer populations. The study offers a unique, non-verbal exploration of the trauma experienced by serial killers through the art therapy lens. The three participants provided invaluable data through their responses to a questionnaire and creation of response art that demonstrates evidence …

Intercepting The Intergenerational Trauma Of Mass Incarceration Through Art-Based Parent Programs, Ana Ruth Yela Castillo

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This study discusses the intergenerational impact of mass incarceration on families. The general literature repeatedly described the negative effects of mass incarceration among children who have an incarcerated parent by pointing to the difficulty of educational attainment, social exclusion, stigma, substance abuse, and the exacerbation of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and antisocial behavior (Kjellstrand & Eddy, 2011; Miller & Barnes, 2015; Turney, 2014). Unfortunately, most incarcerated individuals are parents and most incarcerated women are mothers (Scudder, A., et al., 2014, and Miller, et al., 2014). Through the use of art, service providers (artists, clinicians, etc.) that facilitate …

Black, Woman And Alive: Black Women’S Practices Of Nontraditional Healing And Freedom, Hythia Phifer

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the implications of nontraditional healing methods on Black women’s psychological and holistic health. It includes a critical literature review of existing research by Black Feminist theorists and other Black women scholars on Black women who use nontraditional healing methods, particularly to overcome the violent and pervasive experience of gendered racism and misogynoir. A brief autoethnographic analysis of my own art-based practice is included, with ties to the effectiveness of Literature and Poetry as a nontraditional healing method used by Black women. This thesis is my attempt to create space for myself in academia, in social science, in …

Universal Connection Through Art: Role Of Mirror Neurons In Art Production And Reception., Bartlomiej Piechowski-Jozwiak, François Boller, Julien Bogousslavsky

Neurology Faculty Publications

Art is defined as expression or application of human creative skill and imagination producing works to be appreciated primarily for their aesthetic value or emotional power. This definition encompasses two very important elements—the creation and reception of art—and by doing so it establishes a link, a dialogue between the artist and spectator. From the evolutionary biological perspective, activities need to have an immediate or remote effect on the population through improving survival, gene selection, and environmental adjustment, and this includes art. It may serve as a universal means of communication bypassing time, cultural, ethnic, and social differences. The neurological mechanisms …

Bleeding Ink: Creativity In Grief For Resilience, Gabriel E. Sayre

Senior Honors Projects

A venomous void pierces the present.

Emanating from the past, echoing to the future.

Seething sensations burrowing beneath the bone.

Seek a road, to not corrode.

Scribe or scribble, Scavenge salvation.

Settle cement of a new foundation.

Faceless fears fading,

weakening woes waning,

mending mentality.

Internally Inspired.

Transformation Transpired.

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 …

Effective Psychodrama Supervision: A Grounded Theory Study On Senior Supervisors' Perspectives, Simone Levy Tabib

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The overarching purpose of this two-phase study was to gain understanding about and insight into the practice of effective psychodrama supervision as a specialty field. The study explored senior supervisors’ perspectives on their roles as in-class group supervisors in psychodrama graduate school programs in Israel. Grounded theory (GT) methods of data collection and analysis were aimed at learning about participants’ professional approaches, and practice- based experiences. Study 1 involved face-to-face in-depth interviews conducted with open-ended core questions. The interviews explored how six expert participants approached the practice of PD supervision and the reasons behind their approaches. The findings shed light …

Baaamm, Angela R. Miller, Alice Mary Thomas, Melissa Rivera, Brooke A. Pfaff, Ana Zuanic, Monica Esquivel

LMU Theses and Dissertations

BAAAMM was born in April 2016, when a group of six creative researcher-artists came together to investigate cultural identity through art making. Through searching, reaching, and wrestling, the group developed creative experiential processes by which to discover and communicate cultural identity through art and language. Over a few weeks, the creative researcher-artists generated a body of work expressing their unique cultural identities and felt responses to one another. This diverse collaborative wants to share their work to stimulate others to enter the realm of creativity, vulnerability, and receptivity to understand themselves better.

BAAAMM is an exploratory cultural happening exhibiting individual …

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, …

Assessing Couples’ Relationships Through Art Making: A Replication Study, Courtney Combe, Spencer Harden

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the usefulness of art therapy techniques in the assessment of attachment in couples treatment. This case illustration consisted of one couple who were invited to complete four questionnaires, participate in individual and joint art making tasks. The participants also engaged in conversation and discussion about their art and their experience throughout the art making process. The data was then analyzed and categorized into three emerging themes: (1) Relational dynamic between participants (2) Relationship and response to the art, and (3) Integration of shared and personal experiences. Through the discussion of themes, researchers found that art techniques, specifically …

The Potential Of Refugee Art To Inspire Empathy And Social Action, Zoé Cavnar-Lewandowski, Kelsey Gavin

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to utilize an art experiential to explore the potential of art and art making as a means to stimulate empathy towards refugee populations. Researchers attempt to show how art can evoke empathy and inspire social action by communicating the experiences of marginalized communities, specifically Syrian refugees. This research follows a qualitative approach utilizing appropriate quantitative methodologies for data analysis. The research design includes experiential art based focus groups, implementation of guided relational viewing (Potash & Ho, 2011), surveys, response art, and verbal discussion. The data analysis observes for common themes among the three parts of the experiential, …