2410 research outputs found
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Empowering Children with Music Therapy: Trauma Narrative Songwriting
Get PDFThis capstone thesis explored trauma narrative songwriting as a music therapy intervention for children with trauma. The literature reviewed sought to understand how music therapy helps children with trauma regulate their emotions, process heightened emotional states, practice social skills, build self-esteem, and support identity development. After reviewing the literature, the researcher noted a lack of research in using trauma narrative songwriting to foster feelings of empowerment in children. This capstone thesis explored if trauma narrative songwriting could expand expression and foster feelings of empowerment for 2 able-bodied, cisgendered African American children with a trauma history in an elementary school setting. This method used improvisation and trauma narrative songwriting. Feelings of empowerment were measured by researcher observation and inductive and thematic analysis. Results from the inductive analysis showed themes of affect regulation, increased expression, and feelings of empowerment in both the melody and lyrical compositions. This method can be applied to music therapy work with children who have experienced trauma. Considerations for future researchers are explored to understand how music therapy can benefit children who have experienced trauma and help them author new stories
Narrowing the Gap: Bringing Mindfulness to Community-Based Mentoring
Get PDFApproximately 4.5 million youth in the United States participate in community-based mentoring programs, an accepted form of intervention worldwide. Adult mentors are typically paired with a minoritized, historically underserved youth (Rhodes, 2023). The mentor helps the youth navigate life’s roads and obstacles including academic, personal, and family issues, college transition, jobs, and mental health and wellness. Inherent in these relationships are generational and cultural gaps. Mindfully addressing these gaps can improve the relationship and lead to more successful outcomes.
Given the many challenges in our post-pandemic world, mentoring programs have never been more needed (Van Dam et al., 2022). The mentoring community is currently focusing on how to derive the greatest benefit from these relationships, resulting in a shift away from friendship-based mentoring models and toward evidence-based practices. The research shows that mentor training is an essential piece of any community-based mentoring program and should focus on creating conditions for successful mentoring by closing the generational and cultural gaps inherent in most mentoring dyads. This is accomplished through target approaches in building trust, mindful communication, and creating cultural awareness through self-awareness and bridge-building. Mindful practices can be at the core of this
Healing Our Midwives with Art Therapy: A Literature Review to Identify Gaps in Research and Practice
Get PDFThe current crisis in the U.S. healthcare system, exacerbated by the pandemic, has had a marked negative impact on maternal health. Community-based midwives, who serve pregnant and birthing families outside of institutional and hospital settings, can be part of a systemic approach to improving maternal health. This literature review reveals an acute lack of research on and resources for these essential care providers. Current research on workplace-related stress in healthcare providers indicates a growing need to better understand healthcare providers’ traumatic experiences and to develop therapeutic methods for prevention and treatment. This review investigates the research base for using art therapy to address vicarious trauma, PTSD, and other forms of stress that community midwives experience. A number of ways to use art therapy with community midwives are explored and proposed, with the goal of supporting sustainable midwifery in the U.S
Perreando to New Lyrics: Integrating Feminist Reggaeton in Expressive Art Therapy a Literature Review | Perreando a Nueva Lírica: Una Revisión Literaria Sobre Integrar el Reggaetón Feminista a las Terapias con Artes Expresivas
Get PDFThis paper presents how feminist reggaeton can be used as a creative tool for women\u27s empowerment. The literature review explores the work that has been done with feminism in expressive arts therapies, defines what feminist reggaeton is, and presents different considerations to incorporate the musical genre into a therapeutic intervention. Among these considerations, there is the social stigma that is held about the musical genre and female gender; the community-based work; the importance of cultural identity centered on the Latinx, more specifically Puerto Rican; and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in the creative spaces. To navigate these issues, the author uses a postfeminist paradigm and the incorporation of embodied arts-based autoethnographic research. This research is in preparation to put the acquired knowledge into practice in a community intervention in Puerto Rico.
The Spanish version is available via a link under “Additional Files” at the bottom of this web page
A Comparison of Body-Based Therapies of Infant Development: A Literature Review
Get PDFIn this thesis, I discuss two body-based therapies and explore their theory, body movement observation, assessments, application, and qualifications within an infant population. After my research, I have a more in-depth understanding of the differences and similarities between the methods and have more comprehension around what makes dance/movement therapy unique. I discovered that dance/movement therapists can collaboratively work alongside any medical facility due to the extensive training one must go through. A dance/movement therapist can use an assortment of assessments to give a client a treatment plan designed uniquely for them and their therapeutic goals. A dance/movement therapist can hold space for an individual with trauma or undiagnosed medical illness when working with body-based therapies. A dance/movement therapist can be trained in the framework of somatic movement therapist. Furthermore, I have a better understanding of who I am, professionally
Power of Circle: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis literature review includes research on the history of and cultural roots of circles; role of belonging and our social engagement system in circle and group processes; and healing and witnessing in circle. This literature review highlights supportive research exploring reasons we are drawn to the circle formation, how circle spaces are powerful, and why this structure may help to bring ease and safety to our nervous systems. The research reviewed includes an exploration of the history of circles in dance/movement therapy (DMT); how circles facilitate healing of the social engagement system; and how circles can contribute to healing on the individual level through increased sense of belonging, connection, coregulation, and perceived safety. The purpose of this research review is to highlight studies and supportive research into the power and potential for the future of group therapeutic work and the power of circle
Exploring The Therapeutic Synergy: Dance/Movement Therapy and Electroconvulsive Therapy in Geriatric Patient Recovery
Get PDFThis capstone literature review synthesizes existing independent research on Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) to provide recommendations for professionals working with geriatric psychiatry patients who are undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy treatment. This research addresses a gap in alternative care approaches for geriatric patients who are experiencing the side effects of long-term medical procedures. The data collected from this literature review offers evidence to support the use of Bartenieff fundamentals as a recovery tool for Electroconvulsive Therapy patients. Based on pre-existing research there are recommendations provided in the discussion section of this thesis on how to implement a movement group designed to aid in the recovery process for ECT patients. This Bartenieff Fundamentals-based movement group provides support for patients to regain balance and gait through body connectivity exercises, self-esteem, socialization, routine-building skills, and mindfulness
Exploring Family Stories Through Clay: A Community Project Inspired by Helen Cordero\u27s Storytellers
Get PDFThis community art project presents the development and implementation of a clay workshop designed to engage families in intergenerational storytelling and joint creation of storyteller sculptures, inspired by the storyteller figurines created by Pueblo potter Helen Cordero. The paper presents research regarding the positive impact of intergenerational storytelling on family members\u27 mental health, well-being, self-esteem, and identity formation. Additionally, there is a review of research that points to the transformative qualities of clay, which can enhance people\u27s overall well-being, their sense of presence, wonder, and joy, and their ability to self-reflect. Since this project was inspired by the artwork of a native potter, it is guided by articles that suggest an ethical approach inspired by indigenous methodology, and includes the practice the author developed to approach the research and the workshop design with cultural humility. This project is grounded in a narrative therapeutic approach which views people as constructing their realities and making meaning through narratives. Participants\u27 engagement in this workshop seemed to indicate a yearning for opportunities to connect and share stories, and highlighted the potential of using clay in art therapy practice. Future research could further explore the utilization of clay art therapy in enhancing intergenerational connections, as well as conducting similar workshops with populations from varied backgrounds
Trauma-Informed Expressive & Creative Arts Therapy with Survivors of Mass Shootings
Get PDFSurvivors of mass shootings often suffer from psychological impact and mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. These individuals, who have been directly or indirectly exposed to the trauma, may find it challenging to find support and services that cater to their unique needs. Currently, there is no established framework for treating survivors of mass shootings. However, practitioners have proposed guidelines that incorporate trauma-informed practices. This literature review aims to explore how the use of trauma-informed expressive and creative arts therapies can provide an alternative to talk-based therapies when working with individuals and communities impacted by mass violence. This review examines the psychological impact on survivors and barriers to treatment and services using peer-reviewed research, case studies, and personal accounts. It also explores how creative and expressive arts therapies align with the core principles of trauma-informed practices, making them a possible treatment option for this population. Lastly, this literature review examines how expressive and arts-based therapies can align themselves with other evidence-based therapeutic models and contribute to the academic discourse by researching and publishing findings on the therapeutic benefits of the creative arts in therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy and Grief: A Literature Review
Get PDFGrief is a natural human response to loss. This could be the loss of a loved one, a lost identity, a divorce, or the loss of a pet. Just as there are many types of loss, there are also many types of grief. Grief can present as uncomplicated or it can be traumatic, anticipatory, or cumulative. Grief can also develop into prolonged grief disorder as seen in the most updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-RT). Theorists from Sigmund Freud to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to George Bonanno have developed a variety of grief models (O’Connor, 2019). While talk therapy, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), has become commonly recommended for grieving individuals, research exists arguing that expressive arts therapy can also play a major therapeutic role in the grief process (Barak & Leichtentritt, 2017; Renzenbrink, 2021; Thompson, 2014). Historically, multiple modes of expression such as visual art, poetry, music, movement, and drama have been shown to contribute positively to grieving individuals and groups in cultures worldwide (Neimeyer, R. A., 2019). Play and ecotherapy are also highly therapeutic to people who are grieving. According to many peer-reviewed articles, books, and other sources, it is evident that the expressive arts are beneficial in the grief process. More research can be done in this area as the expressive arts incorporate many modalities and opportunities for growth and healing