Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Unlocking Recovery: A Role-Informed Drama Therapy Method For Adults With Addictions, Grace Rossman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This Capstone Thesis Project discusses the creation and implementation of a drama therapy method with adults receiving treatment for substance use disorders at an intensive outpatient level of care. Disidentifying from the role of Addict proves a difficult task when this identity is reinforced by widespread social stigma, permanent changes to the brain’s reward system, and a system of criminalization resulting in financial and political disenfranchisement. A drama therapy framework, Robert Landy’s Role Theory, and a trauma treatment framework, Janina Fisher’s Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, were used as grounding theories from which to create a method intended to help clients with …

Creating Attunement In Utero: Dance/Movement Therapy For Women Who Are Incarcerated While Pregnant, Meaghan Wilson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis reviews the experience of pregnancy in prisons; pregnancy in bonding, attachment, and attunement; and pregnancy in dance movement therapy. Every woman deserves the help and guidance to connect with their baby as much as possible: during pregnancy and after. For women whom are incarcerated, the time to connect is shortened. For most women, they do not have access to their babies after delivery. I have researched the living conditions for women who are pregnant while incarcerated; this includes accommodations, possible health risks, and programs set up for pregnant women. Also researched is the importance to have connections made …

Conducting Our Inner Critic Chorus: Development Of A Method For A Music Therapy Intern And Young Adults In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Morgan Johnston

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The voice of the Inner Critic has shown to have harmful effects on the mental health of young adults, while self-compassion has shown to have the potential to mitigate these effects. This thesis reviews the literature on the theories of Mindful Self-Compassion and Community Music Therapy singing and songwriting. The knowledge acquired was the basis of the method, Conducting Our Inner Critic Chorus, that was developed. In the method, participants conduct the movement from their Inner Critic to their Inner Compassionate. The method was applied to young adults in a psychiatric partial hospitalization program group context five times. Afterwards, the …

How Choreometrics Reflects Self-Identity And Self-Concept Through Cultural Dance: A Developing Method, Naowarat Buddee

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

This arts-based autoethnography research aims to analyze the researcher’s personal reflections of cultural embodied experiences through the connection of Thai cultural dance movements, cultural patterns, and expressive behaviors in Thai cultural contexts. These also reflected the researcher’s personal-identity and self-concept. As cultural dance has impacts on social structures and human behaviors both physically and psychologically in social interactions throughout the developmental lifespan, the researcher was inspired by the concept of Choreometrics to look closely at personal dance experiences in relation to Thai culture. This autoethnography is a case study of the researcher who identifies as Thai and reflects her …

Dance/Movement Therapy And The Quality Of Life For Individuals With Late Stage Dementia: A Clinical Method, Brianna Berg

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dementia is a global healthcare concern, and while there is currently no cure for the disease, there are several major approaches used to slow its progression and improve the quality of life of people and families who live with dementia. Dementia impacts mostly older adults, and currently there is little evidence is known about how Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) may impact the pace or quality of life in such individuals. This study explored the impact of a DMT method developed for this study was based on principles established by one of the founders of DMT, Marian Chace and implemented in …

Presence Through Expressive Arts And Buddhism, Akshita Desore

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

There is increasing research suggesting presence as the foundation of therapeutic work with clients and is becoming just as important a concept as theoretical orientation of therapists. This literature review focuses on understanding the skill of presence by looking at existing literature on the concept and suggests expressive arts and meditative practices as a tool to cultivate therapeutic presence. Using the Geller-Greenberg model of Therapeutic Presence as the foundation, I answer two questions in this thesis, what presence means conceptually and how therapists can achieve presence when working with clients. By its very nature, Expressive arts therapy with its focus …

The Use Of Mindfulness And Art-Based Interventions For Competitive Athletes In Treatment Of Sports-Related Injury, A Literature Review, Jaclyn Hammond

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis investigates the experience of sports-related injury in elite competitive athletes, and the roles and impact of traditional psychological coping and prevention strategies, compared to the approaches of mindfulness and various art-based interventions in the treatment of sports-related injury for competitive athletes. Literature revealed that current treatments for injured athletes in elite sport and competition more often incorporate aspects of goal-setting, guided imagery, and relaxation rather than mindfulness or art-based interventions. However, research is lacking significantly with regards to the use of mindfulness and art-based intervention as a combined methodology in helping athletes cope with a sports injury and …

The Effect Of Melody And Rhythm In Music-Based Therapy For Nonfluent Aphasics: A Literature Review, M. Abraham Kimball

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The aim of this review is to examine studies which explored whether melody or rhythm played a more integral role in the facilitation of music-based speech and language rehabilitation for the population of individuals with nonfluent aphasia. This paper is intended to serve as a succinct synthesis of the myriad articles covering the efficacy of the treatment program called Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) and the impact of its primary musical mechanisms. Secondarily, it may assist in a deeper examination into speech and language-based music cognition and neurologic music therapy research. The speech and language disorder of aphasia; the relationships between …

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

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

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

Finding A Higher Power: Developing A Method To Weave Spirituality In Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions For Addiction Recovery, Tawna Halbert

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the foundation of research in the fields of spirituality, Dance/Movement Therapy, and addiction recovery, and paves the path for developing a method that integrates all three concepts together. The integration of spirituality in addiction recovery is widely accepted in the mental health field. Dance/Movement Therapy allows participants to connect to their internal experience, to each other, and to the shifting nature of the human experience: its application in addiction recovery is gaining momentum. In my method, connecting individuals in addiction recovery to their spirituality was the goal, and Dance/Movement Therapy was the means. Guided by the goals …

How Expressive Arts Therapy Is Being Used To Treat Children With Developmental Trauma And Its Implications For Treating Community And Systemic Causes Of Developmental Trauma., Cheri Haire

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are circumstances that occur in a child’s life which are either long-lasting or have long-lasting effects due to their traumatic nature. Developmental trauma is a composite name for the effects of adverse childhood experiences on children. It has been found that, across racial groups, in locations with high poverty, children are more at-risk for scoring high (four or more) on the ACE questionnaire (Choi, Wang, & Jackson, 2019, p. 1). Treatment for developmental trauma begins with establishing a sense of safety in the child, but also within the family and the community. It is also …

Rhythm And Safety Of Social Engagement: Polyvagal Theory Informed Dance/Movement Therapy, Suzanne Weare

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The polyvagal theory has exerted great influence on the field of clinical therapy since the 1990s by proposing an understanding of the psychological expression seen in clients as a reflection of their physiological state of safety or threat of danger. When affect and psychological states are viewed through the lens of the autonomic nervous system directed by neuroception through bidirectional vagal nerve information, therapeutic presence and somatic therapy practices, such as those utilized in the field of dance/movement therapy, become more conceivable as best practices to treat a variety of psychological conditions to include trauma recovery, autism spectrum disorders, and …

A Literature Review On Dance Movement Therapy’S Effects On Masculinized Adolescents, Jennifer Tebeest

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to better understand the embodied stressors that affect one’s ability to express emotion. Studies of empathy, adolescence, and dance/movement therapy are of the most use in researching the connection between body-based therapies like dance/movement therapy, kinesthetic empathy (the body’s way of reading cues of others’), and the systemic construct of masculinity in adolescent males. While separate studies exist, there is little research or data on whether DMT theoretical frameworks can impact the minds of adolescent males who have been conditioned according to westernized male gender roles and whose empathic development has …

A Specialized Dance/Movement Therapy Assessment And Proposed Plan For Addressing The Physical And Emotional Well-Being Of Line Workers, Jordan Rodrigues

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis utilized qualitative methods to explore the experiences of National Grid linemen for the purposes of creating a dance/movement therapy warm-up. Information was gathered through individual meetings, where questions about participants’ physical, mental, and emotional health were discussed in relation to their specific occupation. From the information gathered, six themes were identified. To address the recognized issues, eight proposed warm-ups were created. The warm-ups, specifically crafted from participants’ firsthand accounts, are rooted in both Laban Movement Analysis principles and Bartineff Fundamentals. Sessions are intended to be run by a licensed dance/movement therapist at the beginning of each workday …

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

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

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

Using Child-Centered Play Therapy As An Intervention To Reassess Adhd Diagnoses And Trauma In Children: A Literature Review, Bethany Gibbons

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Although it is difficult to assess, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent diagnosis that exists among children. A major factor that contributes to the complexity of this disorder is the parallel symptoms presented in other diagnoses. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children has been identified as being either comorbid with ADHD, or sharing similar symptoms, which can produce potential misdiagnosis and ultimately lead to ineffective or impertinent treatment. To better determine a child’s diagnosis and plan of treatment, an approach can be implemented to assist in distinguishing between the two disorders. Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) may serve as …

How Can Art Therapy Be Utilized To Improve The Mental Health And Quality Of Life Of Pediatric Oncology Patients?, Emily Golubowski

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Pediatric oncology patients and survivors endure multiple obstacles related to physical health and recovery during and after their treatment time. In addition, mental health complications related to adjustment, anxiety, depression, and stress can complicate the overall quality of life and functioning of individuals who have endured this diagnosis and treatment. As an intervention, art therapy can provide relief from physical symptom management, relieve mental health symptoms and stressors, and improve overall quality of life. Art therapy directives and professional work can assist in teaching appropriate coping skills, enhance emotional intelligence, improve communication, restore a sense of control, and improve overall …

Art Therapy’S Supportive Role In Self-Esteem For Youth And Correlating External Factors, Jennifer Schott

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The development of self-esteem in children and adolescents has been greatly influenced by the environment in which they have been exposed and nurtured. The external factors that have been present in an individual’s experiences shape the format and understanding in their perception of self, especially self-esteem. Correlations have been recognized between external factors and levels of self-esteem. With these external factors growing and evolving, research and various therapeutic interactions can support the positive growth of self-esteem. Art therapy has played an altering role in children and adolescents’ perceptions of self through exploration in empowerment and creative therapeutic skills. Art mediums …

Mental Associations And Music Therapy: Including The History Of Associationism And The Neurology Of Associations, Dianna Rose

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Associations are formed in our minds based upon three elements: sensory experience, emotions, and memories. These associations, unique to each individual, dictate thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. Some are necessary and supportive, while others can be maladaptive. Established associations can be changed, and new associations can be formed, to align with a client’s goals. The literature presents a strong history of associationism, as well as a body of research that demonstrates the neurological processes of how mental associations are formed. There are also studies showing how music activates the brain. However, there is a lack of research which draws direct …

Using Art To Mitigate Burnout For Those Working In Direct Care, Jessica E. Goodchild

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Through a critical review of the existing literature, this capstone thesis seeks to investigate the potential benefits and drawbacks to the integration of guided artistic practices within the workplace. The literature reviewed focused on both qualitative and quantitative studies of burnout and explored the professional benefits that art making can provide in mitigating burnout for those within a western culture working in the field of mental health and social services, particularly in the capacity of a direct care worker (DCW). Through the review of the literature a case can be made for the benefits of using visual art to engage …

Creative Therapies, Complex Childhood Trauma, And Neurological Improvement: How The Arts Can Enhance Neuroplasticity: A Literature Review, Kelseigh E. Garrett

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines the ways in which creative arts therapy can enhance neuroplasticity after experiencing chronic and severe trauma. Trauma that occurs in childhood can negatively impact neurotypical brain development. Trauma experienced in childhood often leads to dysregulation or deficits in attachment, executive functioning, memory, and emotion regulation. This review outlines and defines complex developmental trauma, neurotypical brain development and brain structure, neurological impacts of trauma, and examines the use of single creative arts modalities for therapeutic treatment. This literature review shares research on the creative therapies focusing on single modalities such as: dance/movement, music, drama, and art, and …

Addiction, Mental Health, Systemic Racism, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Review Of The Literature Capstone Thesis, Melanie Dunbar

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Systemic racism has plagued people of color for many years. The thought of advancing in this world has been cut down by systems put in place to advance the White agenda. One of those systems is the health care system. Addiction and mental health care are areas where identifying as a person of color can be a hinderance when seeking treatment. Addiction and mental health have also been stigmatized, and treatment for people of color is available but lacks affordability. This literature review addresses the layers of what systemic racism is and how it has affected the lives of multicultural …

Developing And Sustaining Organizational Systems That Honor The Dignity Needs Of Stakeholders, Robyn Short

Graduate Liberal Studies Theses and Dissertations

At the time of the study, organizations were missing opportunities for innovation and bottom-line growth by failing to align performance management systems with basic human needs and dignity needs. Employees were missing opportunities for accessing their potential, and were failing to thrive. Organizational leaders needed to understand the importance of integrating basic human needs and the essentials of dignity as attributes of organizational systems design in order to maximize employee engagement, attract and retain top talent, increase innovation, and optimize bottom-line growth.

This research explored the role of dignity in organizational systems design. A qualitative research approach, specifically case study …

"Political Stability In The Eye Of The Storm: An Institutional Analysis On The Social Effects Of Water Management In Jordan", Madelaine Michelle Diaz Durufour

Senior Theses

Water scarcity in Jordan has, for decades, been a serious source of political tension domestically and abroad. In this tumultuous region, political stability or lack thereof determines many aspects of social life. Jordan has been resilient in the face of wars and insurgencies, most recently the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which led to the toppling of authoritarian governments and the ongoing Syrian Civil War. The case study on the provision of water in Jordan is relevant due to its location in a region with an arid and semiarid climate, as well as its unstable geopolitical neighbors. Institutions have an effect …

Effects Of Gender And Ethnicity On Stem Self-Competencies In Classroom Interactions, Baudelio Abrica

UCARE: Research Products

Well established is a connection between gender stereotypes and children’s STEM perceptions. STEM self-concept, for example, is consistently identified as stronger for boys than girls (Cvencek et. et al 2011). While research has documented differences in STEM self-competencies between adolescent boys and girls (Miller et. al 2018), there remains much to be learned about the classroom conditions that may explain how children understand stereotypes and act on that understanding in their interactions with other children. This research examined how informal classroom activities reveal both racial and gendered stereotypical preference patterns and how those patterns relate to students’ self-competencies. Moving beyond …

From Classroom To Real-World: Preparing Students For The Newsroom, Katherine Allred

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the preparedness of college graduates entering the news field. Employers search for the best possible person with the necessary skills and qualifications required to complete the day-to-day functions of a job. In television news, very specific traits and skills are needed to work in the newsroom environment. Working as a news producer at a small TV station for almost seven years, new employees, specifically reporters, would struggle with some of the basic skills needed for their job. Are universities teaching students everything they need to know? How are they succeeding? If they …

Student Agency And Collective Bootstrapping In Integrated Career And Technical Education: A Photovoice Project, Panagiota Athinelis

Educational Studies Dissertations

Secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with a full education in academic areas as well as a career area of interest, allowing students to apply their school-based learning in the real world through work-based learning. At the same time, urban CTE adolescents have historically been marginalized and placed in a deficit model. The purpose of this qualitative study was to uncover the ways in which student agency is co-created in an urban, transdisciplinary CTE high school program, as well as to identify the institutional systems and structures that support or hinder the development of student agency.

Eight students …

Buddhist Psychology And Mindfulness: Does It Provide A Remedy For Western Shame?, Richard Biehl

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This writing explores shame and its distress. It does so through a historical examination of Western psychological theories of emotion compared to emotions as seen through Buddhist psychology, based upon scholars and authorities within these respective fields. Further, it explores some Western psychotherapeutic approaches used to alleviate (unhealthy) shame compared to Buddhist mindfulness methods for alleviating aversive emotions and their efficacy, alone or in combination. The question examined is whether mindfulness grounded in Buddhist psychology and teachings, when applied within Western therapeutic settings and populations, is an effective and appropriate means to help alleviate aversive states of shame.

To identify …

Considerations For Introducing, Facilitating, And Expanding Mindfulness Training In The Workplace, Laura H. Saher

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This creative thesis is designed to further the understanding of the considerations for offering mindfulness training in the workplace and to offer mindfulness practitioners a guide for introducing and facilitating mindfulness training into their workplaces. This thesis consists of two primary components: 1) a rationale paper and 2) a creative component. The rationale paper includes a literature review that focuses on the benefits and risks of offering mindfulness training in the workplace; these form the business case for bringing mindfulness to the workforce and identify the gaps in the research that prompted the questions underlying this thesis. These gaps were …

Addressing The Midlife Happiness ‘Dip’: An Evidence-Informed, Mindfulness-Based Approach To Support & Promote Women’S Well-Being, Shelby Wayte

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This work articulates the need for and introduces a novel model of supportive care: a mindfulness-based wellness intervention that holistically addresses the unique implications and stressors of middle-aged women. Midlife remains the most poorly understood and understudied period of the lifespan. Research suggests that not only are middle-aged people less happy, they have the lowest levels of life satisfaction and experience the most anxiety and stress compared to both younger and older age groups. This marks a trend currently being analyzed: Happiness dips gradually in early adult life until it reaches its lowest point, approximately around a person’s mid-40s to …