Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

How Can The Expressive Arts Therapy Benefit Latinx/Latine Immigrant Families? A Literature, Maria Ticona

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Although there are many years of research and practice for the fields of family therapy and expressive arts therapy, there have been few times when the two integrated. In this Literature Review, the intersection between expressive arts therapy and family therapy is explored to further envision how it could benefit families who are Latinx/Latine immigrant. These families often experience traumatic poverty and violence in their home countries which leads them to decide to migrate. The journey to migrate to the United States, acculturate to a new culture, a new language, grapple with being undocumented or having temporary legality, and ...

Impact Of Dance And Dance Movement Therapy Interventions For Student Mental Health, Karen Yatsko

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review collects advantages and disadvantages of dance and dance movement therapy interventions for school-aged children. As interest in mental health availability grows, the lack of time and resources for the services already in place requires creative solutions. Connections are made between the two modalities via the history of healing practices, Laban Movement Analysis, and mirroring. Data collected via fMRI scans, salivary samples, and selfreports from small samples sizes are present in some combinations or solo. The author concludes that a combination of the therapy provided by DMT and the physicality and creativity of dance interventions would potentially fill ...

A Place To Keep The Chaos: Using Expressive Arts To Mitigate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Disaster Recovery, Julie Grebenau

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, the author reviews current holistic research and methods around treating and understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), using expressive arts therapy (ExAT) as a framework. The nature of a natural disaster is complex, in that it is both a process and an event. With ExAT’s emphasis on process, it is an appropriate approach to trauma as a result of natural disasters. The population focus is on earthquake survivors, specific to their early recovery, including traumatic stress and PTSD related to the event. I then apply research based on trauma and expressive arts therapy to this population ...

Developing A Movement-Based Group For High Schoolers With Anxiety During Covid-19, Samantha Harding

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with negative mental health outcomes, including increased rates of anxiety among adolescents. Adolescents with social-emotional disabilities experience additional challenges adapting to disruptions in routine and coping with feelings of anxiety caused by the pandemic. While effective treatments for reducing symptoms of anxiety exist, a large proportion of adolescents with clinical or sub-clinical levels of anxiety lack access to such treatment or do not seek out treatment on their own. Schools are seen as an ideal setting to implement programs that teach adolescents effective coping skills, however, the pandemic has drastically altered school settings and ...

The Implementation Of Mindfulness And Dance/Movement Therapy For Women With Postpartum Depression: A Literature Review, Angel Nga Ying Chan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review discusses the impact and effectiveness of using mindfulness-based interventions and a dance/movement therapy approach on mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) to promote their holistic well-being. The experience of giving birth and the transition to motherhood can be rewarding and remarkable, yet challenging and overwhelming. It is widely suggested if a mother who suffers from postpartum depression is left untreated and unattended, the ongoing depression and emotional distress can have negative impacts on their child’s well-being and development. The practice of mindfulness with women with PPD is suggested to be significant in reducing depression and improving ...

Performance Art Therapy: Integrating Performance Art Into Expressive Arts Therapy, A Literature Review, Brittany Purrington

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper considers how expressive arts therapy could incorporate performance art into a clinical setting. Using literature on both topics, commonalities and differences were assessed to determine whether performance art could be used as a healing method and which theories of expressive arts therapy were most aligned for that process. The literature review begins by defining expressive arts therapy and performance art, and then examining research where performance has been used as a healing technique, such as in drama therapy. Drawing on the author’s own experience with performance art and on the theory of poiesis, a silhouette of a ...

Exploring The Therapeutic Relationship As A Central Focus Through Expressive Arts Therapy In Oncology, Akshata Parekh

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The treatment for cancer can be physically, mentally, emotionally and socially challenging. These treatments have side effects like physical body pain, hair loss, changes in weight, energy, nausea and more. These physical changes impact the social, mental and emotional well-being of the patient and makes this journey of the life-threating prognosis of cancer very tough to confront. Expressive arts therapy provides a safe space for the patients to address their mental health concerns as a result of this treatment. The Capstone Thesis Project explored expressive arts therapy interventions with 95 patients through single or multiple sessions while going through their ...

Storytelling And Performance As Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Taylor Ottley

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Inspired by a personal experience, this thesis discusses the use of storytelling and performance as dance/movement therapy. I answer these research questions: What practices, if any, exist in the field of DMT? What is the full spectrum of benefits for dancers and witnesses? What populations are best suited for this work? Non-DMT resources were chosen for their therapeutic value and adaptability to DMT contexts. I categorize the literature by these themes: “Making the Invisible Visible: Stories of Mental Illness”; “Processing Tragedy”; “Storytelling and Performance with a Social Justice Aim”; “Exploring Individuality”; “Crafted by Intuition: DMT’s Authentic Movement”; and ...

An Integrated Music Therapy Method For Children And Adolescents With Asd And Trauma, Lillian Gray

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explored the integration of two theories used in music therapy. A literature review of vocal psychotherapy (VPT) and neurologic music therapy (NMT) was conducted. In the literature reviewed, neither theory alone meets the common needs, I have observed, of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a known history of, or current trauma experience. The most significant insight gained from the literature reviewed are the different client needs that each theory approaches. Neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques are implemented to heal the diseased or injured brain. Vocal psychotherapy intervention can heal the injured soul. The ...

Mindful Monsters: Development Of A Dbt-Informed Art Therapy Method For Traumatized Children In An Acute Inpatient Residential Program, Chelsea Laforce

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In the treatment of complex childhood trauma, emotion regulation is a foundational component in the healing process. It is accepted in the acute inpatient setting that a highly structured, evidence-based approach targets specific needs of the traumatized child. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a model gaining popularity at the inpatient level of care for this reason. Art therapy has been introduced in adjunct to engage the sensory and developmental needs of the traumatized child in this setting, yet there is a lack of research of the inclusion of DBT-informed art therapy. Some phenomenological research has been conducted on the efficacy ...

Considerations And Reflections On Being A Brazilian - Latina Expressive Arts Therapist Working In Usa, Maiara Bastos

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper focuses on the experience of being a Latina expressive arts therapist working in the United States of America (USA). Through literature review and a personal art-based research process, the definitions of identities, therapeutic relationships, and microaggression are discussed and explored. This paper is theoretically grounded in the notion of expressive arts therapy and gestalt therapy as a means to understand the author’s experiences in the field of counseling. Autoethnography and art-based inquiry are used to conceptualize microaggressions within the therapeutic relationship.

With the intent of increasing awareness about the author’s identities, the expressive arts were used ...

Disrupting Self-Silencing In Cisgender Women Using Drama Therapy’S Role Theory And Role Method, Jennifer Ansted

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Self-silencing is the repression of one’s own emotions, restriction of self-expression, and showing concern for others over the self as a result of societal ideals and expectations imposed on a person because of gender. This thesis approaches self-silencing from a relational cultural perspective and uses attachment theory and Jack’s (1993) Silencing the Self Theory to understand why self-silencing occurs and its impact on cisgender women. Potential therapeutic interventions for women who self-silence are proposed using drama therapy’s role theory and role method. Furthermore, updates to the current role taxonomy to be more inclusive of roles relevant to ...

Dmt And Dissociation: Opening The Window Of Tolerance To Embodiment; Development Of A Method, Erin Wilmanns

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dissociative symptoms show in many different types of diagnoses, and dance/movement therapists have the skill set to introduce embodiment as a distress tolerance and regulatory skill. The current literature regarding effective dance/movement therapy as a tool for working with dissociative symptoms does not include the intersection of those that hold a queer identity. Inclusion of dissociative symptoms with trans* (any person who is not cisgender) identity allows for empowerment of recovery. The discussed development of a method is designed to contribute to the strengths and limitations dance/movement therapy holds in relation to dissociative symptoms, specifically working within ...

Studio Expressive Arts Therapy: Towards A Classroom Method That Incorporates Art And Music, Michael Greenberg

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explored the ways in which expressive arts therapy (ExAT) could be incorporated into a small therapeutic high school’s visual arts program. Through the development and implementation of a method, intermodal exchange between visual art and music was integrated into both the school’s art program and its group counseling offerings. Informed by a literature review of studio art therapy (SAT) as related to ExAT, three different interventions were used to fit within the frameworks of the high school’s offerings. The first intervention focused on making music with a few students within art classes while the rest ...

My Voice Is In My Sword: Stage Combat As A Tool In Drama Therapy, Kristen Pilgrim

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This qualitative study explores the social, emotional, physical, and psychological benefits of stage combat training. Stage combat creates the illusion of violence for stage and film through the use of choreography, safe techniques, and dramatic storytelling. Stage combat utilizes drama therapy principles of dramatic reality, dramatic embodiment, and aesthetic distance. A literature review found circus training, dance movement therapy, social dance, martial arts, and therapeutic theatre to be beneficial for participants socially, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Stage combat has much in common with these domains and it stands to reason that it would also be a beneficial practice. This theory ...

The Care And Keeping Of Therapeutic Connection In Telehealth: An Embodied Inquiry, Caitlyn Gilmore

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This qualitative embodied artistic inquiry self-study, developed through my perspective as an emerging dance and movement therapist, explored the effects of using telehealth for therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The available literature discussed throughout this capstone thesis suggest that the adaptations made to therapy as a result of the pandemic affected the practices associated with dance and movement therapy’s theoretical principles of embodiment, attunement, and somatic countertransference. Because of the unknowns of COVID 19, research on mitigating the negative aspects of telehealth is still emerging, thus increasing my anxiety as an emerging professional. In order to address the ...

The Effects Of Dance/Movement Therapy On Treatment And Medication Compliance For Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Literature Review, Natalie Jacobs

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

With a high prevalence of non-medication compliance in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and a wide range of side effects from administered antipsychotics, it is imperative that the field of dance/movement therapy advocates for the implementation of dance/movement therapy in the treatment for this population. This literature review addressed the gap in dance/movement therapy research on the use of dance/movement therapy to reduce antipsychotic medication side effects and increase medication compliance. The multiple challenges faced by individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were explored such as, stigmatization, the wide range of possible symptoms, poor insight, and movement dysfunctions. Side ...

The Need For School-Based Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy Interventions: A Literature Review, Nicole Ventura

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, the author explores the availability and accessibility of school-based trauma-informed drama therapy interventions as a means to address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A significant amount of research exploring the impact of ACEs is focused on the long-term negative effects they have on adults, reflecting back on how the adverse childhood experiences impacted their continued development (Brown et al., 2009; Chapman et al., 2004). However, less attention has been paid to the impact of such experiences on children during their childhood. Rather than waiting for ACEs to turn into lifelong physical and mental health ...

Advocating For Neuro-Informed Music Therapy For Ptsd In Diverse Populations, A Literature Review, Shanell A. Percy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Research indicates that music positively affects the brain, health, and wellness and continues to be researched for its effectiveness in treating PTSD. Traumatic memories are stored in the brain structures of the limbic system. Music has been shown to affect these brain structures, giving prospect to its use through music psychotherapy interventions as an effective treatment for PTSD. This review of music therapy literature assesses the effects of music on the brain, identifies current models for treating PTSD with music therapy, and considers culturally informed approaches to treatment. A widely known gap in the research of evidenced-based studies of music ...

Positive Self Imagery Collage: An Expressive Arts Therapy Intervention Developed For Adolescents In A Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program, Mackenzie Lee

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis describes an intervention for adolescents in a virtual, group-based partial hospitalization program (PHP). Research in various effective therapeutic methods including supportive music and imagery (SMI), trauma-informed art therapy with adolescents, strength-based psychology, and digital artmaking informed my intervention, “Positive Self Imagery Collage” (PSIC). Group members created virtual collages representative of a SMI experience designed to imagine oneself “trying on” positive traits. PSIC was implemented in a virtual PHP via Zoom for adolescents. The intervention was documented through personal journaling and virtual artmaking. PSIC took place multiple times between January and March 2021, each time with a new set ...