Five graduate students from the Marital and Family Art Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) conducted a research study to explore the characteristics and attributes of collective art practices and how they contribute to healing. A survey including quantitative measures and qualitative responses were administered on the Qualtrics platform, allowing for a wide geographic reach and rapid data collection. The subsequent qualitative analysis involved the creation of visual artworks by the researchers, utilizing the arts as data to identify additional common themes contributing to healing attributes. The data revealed three major themes, or characteristics, of how art contributes to healing: (1) shared collective experience, (2) validation and space for emotional expression, and (3) art as a conduit of healing. These three themes were recurrent throughout the responses and emerged from participants' responses to three specific questions, driven by a curiosity about the attributes and experiences involving art and community. The results gathered not only provided parallel alignment with significant deviation from those gathered during the literature review, but also shed light on the profound impact of creative expression in fostering well-being, cultivating interpersonal connections, and promoting emotional healing within collective settings. This insight offers valuable guidance for future researchers and art therapists, emphasizing the importance of incorporating collective healing elements into their practice and theoretical frameworks.

This qualitative research study presents an examination of the role that art making fulfills in the recovery efforts following the development of a physical disability due to a trauma. Preexisting literature informed the current study on art making’s ability to manage psychological and physical stressors that can accompany the development of a physical disability due to a trauma experience. The current study utilized a focus group to gain a better understanding of art making’s benefits by obtaining firsthand accounts from individuals with experience incorporating art making in their own recovery process. Data collected during the focus group suggests that the art making process is beneficial as part of the recovery efforts. Data showed that art making possesses the ability to aid with the processing of psychological and physical stressors encountered during recovery, and functions as an integrative process that helps individuals to accommodate their new identities. Such findings suggest that the inclusion of art therapy, of which art making is the core foundation, can be a beneficial component to incorporate into recovery efforts.

This research investigates the researcher’s experience of the integration of art making within sensorimotor psychotherapy as they relate to the resolution of attachment trauma. The heuristic method of research inquiry was employed in which the researcher was the subject in the research. The basis for the research was an increasing awareness of attachment trauma present in her life history. A review of the literature yielded that a large body of research had been published on attachment theory, trauma, and art therapy. There existed at the time of the research inquiry a lack of literature exploring the utilization of art making in sensorimotor psychotherapy. Data was gathered in the form of artworks created during individual psychotherapy with a psychologist certified in sensorimotor psychotherapy and in the form of post-session reflective writings. The artworks and post-session writings were analyzed. Themes that substantiated the research inquiry emerged. Multiple meanings were derived from this research. A primary meaning was the recognition that the therapeutic alliance coupled with art making and sensorimotor psychotherapy provided a secure environment for integration of attachment trauma. Further research is warranted. There is a potential for development of methodology for incorporating art making into sensorimotor psychotherapy for clients with whom the process is merited. Future iterations of the developed protocol might include replications of the study and modification and expansion of the protocol. The protocol could be employed for processing other types of trauma. Additionally, there is a need for more art therapists who are concurrently trained in sensorimotor psychotherapy.

This qualitative case study examined art therapy services offered by Loyola Marymount University's Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic to university students and staff amidst the transition back to in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of interventions and clinical themes that emerged as a result of the services offered to members of the university as they transitioned back to in-person services. Two focus groups were held to gather data from participants and facilitators of the workshops. The analysis of this data led researchers to find that the art therapy services resulted in decreased stress and created a sense of community support amongst both participants and facilitators. In addition, the researchers found other emergent clinical themes that were illuminated in the data collected from both focus groups. The findings from this study are supported by literature that aligns with the outcomes from the workshops: being effective in managing stress and building community support.

This research project aims to explore the relationship between art-making and wellbeing in professional artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involves 14 respondents who were invited to complete a Qualtrics survey as well as a process of arts-based inquiry. Researchers analyzed participants’ survey and art responses using an iterative collaborative process to identify emergent themes. These themes included a non-optional and internally-located drive to create; positive emotional, social, and physiological impacts associated with art-making and art-sharing; and, positive impacts on art practice associated with the pandemic. These findings emphasized the unique strengths and challenges associated with the professional artist identity.

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 survey was then sent to focus group participants and other respondents who were unavailable for the focus group. Researchers identified four categories that emerged from the survey data: “art as self-expression,” “categorization of Art Therapy,” “considerations specific to the medical setting,” and “range of utility” of Medical Art Therapy. Researchers used these categories to analyze data from the focus group and response art. An additional category emerged from these two data sets: “personal experience.” The response art naturally offered another category for analysis: “features of the art.” Researchers compared findings across all data sets and discovered meanings by setting these findings in the context of the general and Medical Art Therapy literature. Further research is warranted to support expansion in the field of Medical Art Therapy.

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of kunsterapie wei suksesvol aangewend kan word met die anorexia nervosa-lyer. Daar is spesifiek gefokus op die verbetering van die selfkonsep van die adolessent met anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa en kunsterapie is bespreek. Daar is aandag gegee aan die spesifieke kenmerke wat kuns geskik maak vir terapeutiese aanwending in die bebandeling van die anorexia nervosa-lyer. Die praktiese toepassing van kunsterapie is uiteengesit met die Jdem op kunsterapeutiese tegnieke wat fokus op die verbetering van die selfkonsep van die adolessent met anorexia nervosa. Twee adolessente wat met anorexia nervosa gediagnoseer is, is as proefpersone vir die studie gebruik. Die Adolessente-Selfkonsepskaal (ASKS) en die Sacks Sinsvoltooiingsmedium is as voor- en natoetse ingeskakel om die stand van die twee proetpersone se selfkonsep te bepaal. Kunsterapie is vir twaalf sessies met die proefpersone gedoen. Uit die navorsingsresultate is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat kunsterapie gelei het tot 'n verbetering rakende aspekte van die seltkonsep van die adolessent met anorexia nervosa. Kunsterapie is positief beleef deur die proefpersone. Gevoelens kon op 'n nie-bedreigende manier geeksploreer word en onopgeloste situasies kon met vrymoedigheid aangespreek word. / The aim of this study was to assess and describe the potential value of art therapy as an intervention strategy for the treatment of adolescents suffering from anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa was described and defined. Diagnostic criteria, the manifestation and contributory causes, as well as the treatment and the prognosis for recovery, were discussed. Art therapy, as well as specific therapeutic techniques suitable for the anorexia nervosa sufferer were explained. The specific objective of the study was to determine the influence of certain art therapy techniques on the self-concept of two adolescents suffering from anorexia nervosa. The results indicated that there were significant changes in the self-concept of the two adolescents. Art therapy can be an effective therapeutic intervention strategy for the adolescent suffering from anorexia nervosa and gives the client the opportunity to come to tenns with the self in a non-threatening way. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this study is a reflection by an educational psychologist of a five year old girl and her use of art media during her therapy sessions. The rational behind art therapy is that underlying feelings and problems are brought to the surface through the interaction with art media and art production (Oster & Crone, 2004). This enables the client to perceive the problem visually and learn how to process it. Educational psychologists are not necessarily trained to do art therapy. However the use of creative media can form part of their practice. A principle of art therapy – to create a safe environment for the person to work uninterrupted, was used in this study. A qualitative ex post facto study was used to complete this research. This entails a study of an occurrence (a child‟s use of art media in therapy) after it has been observed by the researcher. The aim of this research was to study, by means of a case study, a five year old girl‟s interaction with art media such as paint, clay and felt-tip pens throughout her therapy process. The amount of time spent with media, techniques and colours used, symbols made, as well as verbal and non-verbal behavior was observed. The participant‟s therapy sessions and informal interviews with her mother were recorded on video. The videotapes were studied and field notes of these, together with personal records and the artistic products that resulted from her sessions were used for data-collection. In addition and to enrich the study the possible meaning of the symbols depicted were also discussed. Inductive data-analyses (bottom to top) were used to process the data. The researcher‟s perspective during the study was of a reflective practitioner. The description of the participant‟s interaction with art media showed that she became more involved with it as time passed. There were noticeable changes in her use of colour, techniques and media. A positive change in her verbal and nonverbal behaviour was observed towards the end of her therapy-process.

Darbe remiamasi metodiniais teoriniais G.Allport, B.G.Ananjev‘o, E.Aronson‘o, M.Betensky, L.I.Božovič, U.Džeims‘o, A.Maslow, D.G.Myers, V.V.Stolin‘o savęs vertinimo ir Dž.Allan‘o, R.Buckland, S.Ignatjev‘o, K.G.Jung‘o, M.Kiseliov‘os, A.Kopytin‘o, L.Lebedev‘os, A.Piličiausko, N.O.Sučkov‘os ir A.Vaitkevičienės dailės terapijos pagrindais. Savęs vertinimo mokslinės literatūros analizė parodė, jog dėl paauglystę lydinčių fizinių ir emocinių organizmo pasikeitimų kyla įvairių psichologinių problemų, tarp jų - savęs vertinimo sutrikimų. Savęs vertinimas tuo metu yra ne iki galo suvoktas ir labai prieštaringas. Jį sąlygoja savo, kaip mokinio, veiklos ir rezultatų suvokimas bei aplinkinių vertinimas. Kadangi didžiąją laiko dalį paaugliai praleidžia grupėje, savęs vertinimui daug reikšmės turi ir socialinis statusas klasėje. Dėl šių priežasčių specialiųjų ugdymo(si) poreikių turintys mokiniai, kurie nuolat patiria mokymosi problemų ir socialinę atskirtį klasėje, dažnai vertina save neadekvačiai ar turi žemą savęs vertinimą. Tiriant, kaip dailės terapija veikia 5-6 klasių mokinių, turinčių specialiųjų ugdymo(si) poreikių, savęs vertinimą, buvo atlikti kiekybinis ir kokybinis tyrimai. Kiekybinio tyrimo metu nustatytas 5-6 klasių mokinių globalaus, diferencijuoto bei konkrečių veiksmų lygių požiūrio į save ir savęs vertinimo laipsnių vidurkiai. Po to jie palyginti su atitinkamais dailės terapijos grupės narių požiūrio į save bei savęs vertinimo parametrais. Taikant įvairius... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The work is based on methodical theoretical ideas of self-appraisal by G.Allporty, B.G.Ananjev, E.Aronson, M.Betensky, L.I.Božovič, U.Džeims, A.Maslow, D.G.Myers, V.V.Stolin and on the art therapy‘s background by Dž.Allan, R.Buckland, S.Ignatjev, K,G.Jung, M.Kiseliov, A.Kopytin, L.Lebedev, A.Piličiausko, N.O.Sučkov, A.Vaitkevičienės. The analysis of the scientific literature of the self-esteem elicited a fact that physical and emotional changes at the age of adolescence cause the variety of psycological problems including the self-appraisal‘s disbalance. The sense of the self-appraisal at that period of life is not completely recognised and is quite controversial. It is conditioned by the self-evaluating his/her success being a student and the evaluation of their results and abilities by their associates.( the assessment made by adults and by children of his/her own age ) Seeing that teenagers spend most time in a group, the social status in the class plays the major role in the self-assesment. For these reasons the students with special needs, that permanently experience learning problems and feel socially isolated, often evaluate themselves unequal or have the low sense of self-esteem. To find how the art therapy affects the self-esteem of the students with special needs in year 5-6 there was carried out the qualitative and quantitative research. During the quantitative research fulfilled with the students in year 5-6 there were measured the averages of a global and... [to full text]

Darbe atlikta teorinė globos namuose augančių ugdytinių asmens savivertės formavimo(si) ir ugdomojo dailės terapijos užsiėmimų poveikio analizė. Atliktas Dailės terapijos ugdomųjų užsiėmimų tyrimas, kurio tikslas – atskleisti vaikų globos namų auklėtinių savivertės kitimą per dailės terapijos užsiėmimus. Tyrimui atlikti pasirinktas kokybinis tyrimo metodas – atvejo analizė, jo instrumentai – interviu, stebėjimas, piešinių analizė. Empirinėje dalyje nagrinėjami vaikų globos namų auklėtinių savivertės pokyčiai DT užsiėmimų įtakoje analizuojant pirmame ir paskutiniame kiekvieno vaiko piešinyje pavaizduotus simbolius. Išanalizuoti vaikų atvejai atskleidė neigiamą savivertę, negalėjimą apibūdinti savęs žodžiais. Iš piešinių simbolių galima numanyti, kad tai ilgalaikių nesėkmių, aplinkinių neigiamų reakcijų, pasmerkimo ir atstūmimo pasekmė. Lyginant pirmąjį ir paskutinįjį DT užsiėmimų metu sukurtus piešinius, atsiskleidžia neigiama savivertė, noras ignoruoti save DT užsiėmimų pradžioje, o jų eigoje ir pabaigoje pastebimi pokyčiai nuo visiško savęs ignoravimo iki pradėjimo save priimti, nuo vaizdavimo savęs drambliu iki vaizdavimo karalaite, nuo uždarumo iki noro bendrauti, nuo priešiškumo iki smalsumo ir entuziazmo. / The work discusses theoretical analysis of self–esteem formation of persons brought up at the Orphanage. The analysis of impact of educational art therapy is also taken into consideration. The research of Art Therapy lessons has been implemented. The aim of it was to disclose the change of self–esteem of youngsters from the Orphanage during the lessons of Art Therapy. Quality Research Method has been chosen. That is the analysis of a certain case. An interview, observation, the analysis of drawings has been chosen as instruments. The Empiric part analyses the changes of self–esteem of children from the Orphanage during the lessons of Art Therapy by analysing the symbols in the first and the last drawing of a child. The analysed cases of children showed a negative self–esteem. They were not able to describe themselves by words. The symbols of drawings may present that this is the result of long–term failures, negative reactions from surrounding people and repulse. In comparing the first and the last drawing from the lessons of Art Therapy a negative self– esteem is disclosed, a wish to ignore oneself in the beginning of Art Therapy lessons. The start of self–recognition was observed. The self–picturing from an elephant to a princess, from closing oneself to a wish of communication, from being against everything to curiosity and enthusiasm was also seen.