Art Therapy Commons^™

An Art Program Evaluation Of Daily Life Therapy For Children With Autism, Rowena Elise Talusan-Dunn

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The author evaluated a private school’s art program in 2009-2010 that used Daily Life Therapy (DLT) for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Significant increases in numbers of persons diagnosed with ASD have been noted in the last two decades. Several methodologies claim success in programming for children with ASD, but lack empirically based research and it is unclear which are most beneficial. This program evaluation used a mixed-method design to address the following questions: (1) is there evidence of success with the art experience goals and objectives in the art products, (2) what is the experience of the …

An Intergenerational Study: Mirrors As A Tool For Self-Reflection, Susan Ridley

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Globalization and advances in technology have resulted in a loss of cultural, community, and individual identity. Having a strong sense of self can be a protective factor in resisting peer pressure and involvement in negative behaviors, and a determining factor in the formation of one’s coping skills, and resiliency to life’s challenges. This was especially important for adolescents who are negotiating the developmental growth from childhood to adulthood, and older adults who are transitioning from the independence of adulthood to the dependence of old age.

This was a qualitative intergenerational study on the process of self-reflection on identity. Mirrors have …

The Present State Of Affairs In Art Therapy For Multicultural Families In Korea, Eun Mee Choi

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

With the advent of globalization, Korea has undergone a transformation and has a more multicultural population than ever before. Most multicultural families consist of a Korean male and a foreign female. These families experience difficulties such as social isolation, and children of these families experience difficulty in school as Korean society has not kept pace with the changing demographics of the country. The purpose of this study was to investigate art therapy for multicultural families in Korea to address the difficulties these families experience. To achieve this goal, surveys were used with married migrant women (n = 28), therapists working …

Sew It Seams: Wearing The Symbols Of Distant Neighbors, Tamar Reva Einstein

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This art-based expressive therapy study investigated opinions and feelings about cultures in the city of Jerusalem and the country of Israel at large. A coat, designed and sewn by the researcher, was covered with symbols that were identified with peoples who have been victims of violence, discrimination, dehumanization, and conflict within and across cultural groups in Jerusalem. The symbols of the cultures in Jerusalem were placed on the coat so that they touched each other at the seams. Following Phase 1 of the study, which included 24 participants, Phase 2 of the study included 4 additional participants who were selected …

Drawing As Self-Expression With Normally Functioning Adults: A 10-Week Technique, Deborah L. John

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

In this research study, a sample of normally functioning adults (N = 30) each made a series of small drawings, one each week for 10 weeks. Participants completed two questionnaires about their experiences of making the series. The pre-intervention questionnaire collected demographic information and asked participants to rate their perceived ability to use drawing for self-expression on a Likert scale. The post intervention questionnaire again asked participants to rate their perceived ability to use drawing for self-expression. Results indicated a significant change from pre to post intervention (p = 0.012) in perceived expressive drawing ability. The post intervention questionnaire also …

Examining Multicultural Competency Education In The Creative Arts Therapies, Donna C. Owens

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

In the changing landscape of the United States, the skills and competencies of helping professionals must continue to address the unique needs of its various populations. As a growing field, the creative arts therapies must adopt multicultural values and standards necessary to remain competitive and relevant.

This study addressed the issue of multicultural counseling competency training in the creative arts therapies from three perspectives: the governing association, the training institution, and the student/trainee. Throughout this study the term creative arts therapies includes art, dance/movement, drama, expressive arts, music, poetry, and psychodrama.

Information concerning the associations for each of the seven …

The Role Of Defense Mechanisms Of Israeli Society In Relationship To The Israeli–Palestinian Conflict: From “1948 Repression” To Artistic Sublimation, Keren Shechter

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Although many researchers have examined the concept of defense mechanisms, almost none have done so from a societal and cultural point of view. The author investigated the following research questions: (1) Which defense mechanisms are used in Israeli society within the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict? What changes, if any, have occurred in these defenses over the years? (2) What are the reasons for the use of these defenses? What are the consequences of the use? (3) How can a transition(s) from the use of a lower-level defense mechanism(s) to a higher-level one(s) occur? What is the role of the …

Art Therapy In A Bereavement Camp Setting To Aid In Emotional Expression And Processing Of Loss, Rebecca Snyder

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the effects of art therapy on children ages six to eight who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Children experience death in ways that are different from adults due to their level of development. Research indicates that children benefit from creative approaches to processing the death of a loved one as they can rely on symbolic language rather than the use of words. Within this study, art therapy sessions were implemented at a weekend long bereavement camp in order to increase knowledge about the effects of art …

A Comparative Analysis Of Published Addiction Art And Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game Addiction Art, Ariel Christine Furler

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Excessive use of online gaming through use of Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) has become an increasingly pertinent issue as the genre continues to gain international popularity. This genre has been noted for eliciting addictive behavior in which players have an increased likelihood of partaking in game-related activities and neglecting other areas of life that may involve work, school, social activities, or other interests.

Methods to gain direct information of the experiences of people who feel addicted and compelled to play video games has typically been done through surveys and questionnaires over the past decade. This study entailed …

The Effects Of An Intensive Immersion In Doll-Making And Book Arts, Accompanied By Reflective Journaling, On The Personal Growth And Identity Development Of An Art Therapist, Ashley Buchanan

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This self-study uses a heuristic approach to look at what effects an intense immersion in doll-making, book arts, and reflective journaling has on an art therapy intern/student’s personal growth and identity development. Eight weeks of data collection took place followed by multiple individual content analyses to discover themes from the journals and art-making. The technique of stepping away from the analysis intermittently to provide more objectivity was also used to decrease biases. After comparing themes, universal themes were identified and their significance explored. Within these identified themes, it was acknowledged that the use of dolls and books as a media …

The Efficacy Of Art Therapy In Increasing Coping Skills And Decreasing Loneliness In Children Of Individuals Who Are Substance Addicted, Stefanie Scannell

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to utilize art therapy as a means of increasing coping skills and decreasing feelings of loneliness in children whose parents are substance addicted. The subjects consisted of two African American males, ages five and six, both of whom have parents with a history of substance abuse. The Person-in-the-Rain Drawing technique was utilized to measure coping skills before and after the art therapy intervention took place. The Children’s Loneliness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the children’s feelings of loneliness both before and after the intervention as well. It was hypothesized that after six sessions …

A Proposal For An Art Therapy Intervention To Support A Child Whose Parent Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer, Jenna Nicole Kelley

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Parental cancer can put strain on children’s ability to cope with stress and can impact their future development. Children may experience high levels of stress and depression when faced with life changes such as parental cancer. There is limited research on how children cope with parental cancer. Art therapy can help promote communication and expression of feelings and serve as an educational approach to help children cope with parental cancer. The objective of this thesis was to design an art therapy intervention for a child who is experiencing parental cancer. This art therapy intervention has been designed to alleviate the …

A Proposal For An Exploratory Study Of An Art Therapy Group Focused On Body Image With Breast Cancer Survivors, Ricky Jones

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to develop a proposal to understand how a group of breast cancer survivors would respond to a group art therapy experience that focuses on making art about their bodies, and to examine what themes would emerge in the artwork and journals of participants during the course of the study. The proposed study is qualitative and would run for six consecutive weeks. The study is designed to recruit six to eight women who will be recruited through flyers and within the Sentara Hospital network.

A Mixed Methods Study Examining The Efficacy Of Art Media On Stress Reduction, Lilani Pecht

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

When considering today’s academic standards, most know that medical students and residents stand in a distinguished class of disciplines undertaking one of the most stressful scholastic paths. Because this notion is becoming more recognizable with the help of research and published studies, some universities have begun implementing electives focused on the health and well being of their students. Such electives have included a variety of stress relieving activities and interventions, including the use of art therapy. While the literature does indicate an effective use of art therapy and art media to alleviate stress, it does not include a study that …

Reflections During Internships Through Visual Journaling With Mandalas: A Self-Study, Meghan Leisl Bernier

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This self-study is based on my reflections through my internship process through visual journaling with mandalas. The efficacy of limiting visual journal entries to mandalas was discussed as was the usefulness of how a mandala is created from the center outwards. A review of the literature discusses the struggles of interns and the developmental phases of the novice counselor. Research on the use of journals and visual journal for the intent of facilitating reflection, stress reduction, and organization of overwhelming feelings was also reviewed. The results showed that across two semesters of internship, I showed an increase in stress reduction, …

Case Studies In Working With Loving-Kindness Meditation And Art Therapy For Those Suffering From Chronic Pain, Jessica N. Ropars

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study combined the use of Loving-Kindness meditation with art therapy for three women suffering from different types of chronic pain. These women ranged in age from 26 to 62 years and were from a variety of backgrounds; two of the women were Caucasian and one woman was originally from Barbados. The participants were recruited from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Four sessions were scheduled. During each session there was time for Loving-Kindness meditation followed by an art therapy intervention. The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory was used to measure pain. In order …

A Study Of Life Experiences Influencing Art Therapy As A Career Choice, Raleigh Ann Spires King

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Many factors contribute to one’s decision when choosing a career. Literature has stated that personal traits and demographics, chance encounters with influential people, and significant life events play important roles in the choice to enter a career in the helping professions. This study creates a descriptive summary of the life experiences that motivate an individual to choose art therapy as a career.

Using face-to-face interviews, the researcher gathered information regarding career choice from six art therapists each of whom had five or more years of experience. Although the art therapists disclosed personal experiences, unique to their lives, similar topics emerged …

Exploring The Use Of Visual Journaling During Art Therapy Internships: A Self Study, Mary Madison Lovett

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Reflective processes and journaling have been given great attention in the literature as effective tools for the enrichment of learning and professional growth (Boud, 2001). Self reflection in response to clinical experiences can help students can gain a deep level of meaning and insight. Visual journaling is one method of self reflection about which there is little scholarly literature. The process of visual journaling integrates self reflection and exploration through creative imagery and written reflection.

I conducted a qualitative self study which was an exploration of visual journaling as I experienced two semesters of clinical internships. During the study I …

A Comparison Of Human Figures Drawn By Cochlear Implant Recipients And Children With Hearing, Molly Frances Pettit

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the Human Figure Drawings of children with cochlear implants (CIs) and children with normal hearing. Early implantation and the continuing advancement of hearing technologies indicate that, increasingly, children with CIs are developing at a rate equal to their hearing peers. Understanding the cognitive, emotional, and social implications development with the CI has through the use of Human Figure Drawings can lend support to the growing literature in favor of early implantation. This study considered multiple dimensions of living with a cochlear implant and evaluated how children represent their understanding of this life …

Culture’S Impact On Drawing Styles: A Comparison Of Indian, Indian-American, And American Children’S Human Figure Drawings, Ashy Palliparambil

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if and how culture influences children’s drawing styles. In particular, the study compared the human figure drawings of Indian, Indian-American, and American children using a modified form of the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) (Gantt & Tabone, 1998).

Twenty-five second graders (aged 7 and 8 years) and twenty-five fourth graders (aged 10 and 11 years) participated from the school in India. Of the 25 second graders who participated, 13 were male and 12 were female. The mean age was 7.2 years. Of the 25 fourth graders who participated, 14 were male …