2410 research outputs found
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Connecting With Our Roles Through Post Traumatic Growth After Experiencing Medical Trauma
Get PDFThis paper explores the combination of drama therapist, Robert Landy’s (1993), Role Theory and the psychological concept of Post Traumatic Growth (Tedeschi, 2018). The author created a protocol that involved psychoeducation surrounding the five domains of Post Traumatic Growth and a role card sort involving the drama therapeutic process of role theory. A young adult client experiencing significant medical trauma participated in these processes during a three session intervention. Results indicated that the client viewed negative experiences as potentials for growth toward furthered resilience and future hope and optimism. The sample size was limited to one person and further search is needed to further understand if this intervention has efficacy
Culturally Centered Eco-Art Therapy Practice for Self-Awareness: Development of a Method
Get PDFResearch shows an overwhelming need for holistic mental health care in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Its “wide-ranging social, psychological, and economic impact” further exasperates symptoms of psychological and developmental distress (Kopytin, 2021, p. 35). Contemporary art therapy literature highlights how art therapy with natural materials (eco art therapy) cultivates human resilience, as well a great source of healing and has made a resurgence since the pandemic (Kopytin, 2021). An ecological art therapy (EaT) method was developed to address the pervasive issue of disconnection and difficulties with self-awareness. This method utilized natural materials with special attention to culturally competent trauma-informed care group dynamics. Key principles of culturally centered eco-art therapy practices were used to develop the activity, including somatic awareness, ephemeral reflectivity, and ecological connectivity. The premise for this thesis argues that a necessary shift toward the de-colonization of holistic health approaches is through utilizing a culturally centering eco-art therapy (EaT) approach towards cultivating self-awareness. Additional research is warranted to determine the efficacy of EaT with a variety of populations
Integrating Movement Breaks to Support Developmental Goals in Early Intervention: A Method Development
Get PDFThe implementation of movement in school classrooms and other learning spaces has become more prominent throughout recent years. A growing body of research argues that movement and creativity can promote classroom functioning, social/emotional learning, and overall development. However, there is an absence of literature examining the implementation of dance and movement in early childhood intervention programs. This paper explored the history and structures of early intervention programs in the United States as well as dance/movement therapy (DMT) in relation to children, development and learning environments. Based on the reviewed literature, a method was developed and implemented in a local early intervention program. The method focused on integrating movement breaks into multidisciplinary individual sessions with three toddlers (N = 3) enrolled in the program. The goals of this method included 1) Supporting children’s session functioning through providing movement breaks that targeted regulation and creativity, and 2) Observing how DMT could be integrated into multidisciplinary, play-based early intervention sessions. The results of this method showed the movement breaks supported the participants’ expansion of creativity and connection as well as the importance of the use of space to support session functioning. This method development shows an instance of successful integration of movement into existing early intervention structures
Promoting Identity Development in Adolescent Adoptees: A Literature Review
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This literature review examines the challenges facing adopted adolescents and their impact on identity development, as well as art therapy interventions used with this population. Adoptees make up very little of the population yet are seen in mental health settings at a disproportionate rate. Despite the obvious need, little adoption-competent help is available. Developing more adoption-competent services requires an understanding of the unique challenges facing adoptees, one of those being identity development. Adopted teens must integrate their full histories and current emotions to achieve successful identity development. By reviewing relevant literature and therapeutic approaches to identity and adoptees, it is concluded that art therapy, specifically creating life books, is an advantageous approach for this population and the question of identity. Outlined is a recommended method of life book making with adolescent adoptees that aims to support identity development
A Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Educators: Cultivating Self-Awareness and Self-Compassion to Increase Well-Being and Mitigate Burnout
Get PDFMindfulness-based interventions that include an element of self-compassion training are beneficial in mitigating burnout and increasing educator well-being when implemented in the educational workplace. The recent and continuing interaction with the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of actively cultivating collective mental health. Schools can no longer take a passive stance when it comes to bolstering resilience regarding mental health and well-being of their educators. The impact of negative stressors precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other recent cultural and occupational phenomena, have taken a toll on mental resilience. To support educators, mindfulness interventions may be offered as a new type of holistic benefit. The skills gained in these interventions will serve as tools to mitigate educators’ reactions to occupational stressors and the factors of secondary traumatic stress that threaten one’s well-being. When these interventions include elements of self-compassion practice, resilience training, and mindfulness practices, educators gain an understanding of how to strengthen their own resilience, mitigating the chance of burnout while increasing their own well-being
How a Mindfulness-Based Professional Development Program Supports More Ethical and Equitable Philanthropy
Get PDFPhilanthropy serves a vital role in the United States, bringing resources and support to a vibrant field of nonprofit organizations serving community needs. Despite its noble goals to better humankind, philanthropy often does harm through its grantmaking practices, perpetuating hierarchical power structures and inequity, and exacerbating the wealth and income gap that increasingly divides the country. This paper examines the structural, systemic aspects of philanthropy that foster potentially harmful practices and highlights ethical challenges in the field, and then demonstrates how mindfulness offers a means of countering those challenges to support a more ethical, equitable, and effective sector. A mindfulness-based professional development program for philanthropic practitioners is proposed as a means of effecting transformative, positive change in the field, supported by research that directly links mindfulness practices to intervention points in philanthropy
Whatever It Takes: A Literature Review Exploring the Psychological Cost of Actor Training and How Drama Therapy Can Help
Get PDFThis review examines the literature as it relates to the psychological and emotional impact of professional training programs for student-actors. Special attention is paid to student-actors’ developmental stage, mental health and trauma history, possible exposure to sexual harassment in rehearsal or classroom settings, specific acting techniques taught, and power dynamics between student-actors and acting teachers. Also examined is data on the potential effects that the application of trauma-informed drama therapy approaches could have on this population. This is followed by a proposed outline for a supervision-style class for student-actors led by a drama therapist intended to introduce drama therapeutic principles to begin to address this population’s potential distress. Included in this outline are possible benefits from the instruction of de-roling exercises, providing psychoeducation on the impact of trauma and the importance of healthy coping skills, and furthering the student-actor’s understanding of dramatic tools from the therapeutic perspective of drama therapy
Applying Expressive Arts Therapy Interventions with Chinese Adolescents with Academic Maladjustment
Get PDFThis thesis first explores the relationship between several concepts related to academic stress (academic burnout, academic weariness or school weariness, and school refusal) and their influencing factors, which are collectively referred to as academic maladjustment. It then reviews the empirical intervention research on academic maladjustment among Chinese adolescents. Study review has found that effective talk therapy interventions for Chinese adolescents with academic maladjustment often adopt a systematic perspective of family therapy and related techniques. Researchers worked with adolescents on their personal factors that contribute to academic maladjustment and work on the interpersonal level and obtained the cooperation of parents and teachers who were closely related to adolescents\u27 academic adjustment, which was seldom discussed by creative arts therapy.
In the end, this thesis puts forward the conceptions on utilizing the methods of focus-oriented expressive arts therapy from the perspective of brief family therapy in a problem-solving approach to intervening Chinese adolescents with academic maladjustment and suggests future study to use Expressive Therapies Continuum to help academic maladjustment adolescents\u27 family
Exploring Group Art Therapy Techniques in Complimenting The 12-step Program in Healing Substance Abuse in Adults: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis thesis study examined how group art therapy can enhance the effectiveness of the 12-step program in the treatment of addiction. Art therapy is versatile enough to include a variety of therapeutic procedures as well as nonverbal and creative strategies. The 12-step program is a reputable treatment option, but it may be improved by supplementing it with art therapy approaches. Because addiction affects many people, and it has a significant impact on the well- being of entire societies, necessitating the need for professionals to continue improving treatment. While current traditional treatments such as the 12-step program were shown to be effective, integrating art therapy into traditional methods of treating addiction expanded and enriched clients insight and recovery
Examining Resilience in Women Living with HIV/AIDS Through a Photo Narrative Lens
Get PDFWomen living with HIV/AIDS (WLH) and poverty face numerous challenges to survival. Typically, WLH in the United States have been exposed to more than just a deadly virus; they have often experienced or witnessed drug addiction, poverty, abuse, mental health disorders, homelessness, abandonment, involvement in the sex industry, racism, sexism, prejudice, social injustice, chronic hunger, generational trauma, and violence – community, domestic, cultural, police enforced, etc. The literature reviewed suggests that treating HIV/AIDS requires a holistic approach that pays close attention to the biopsychosocial needs of the individual. In addition to the physical and economic toll the disease takes on the individual, the shame and stigma associated with this disease can lead to isolation, depression, and a state of helplessness. The community project explored the use of photo narrative and art therapy approach in a therapeutic group setting. The project offered WLH a place to safely examine their lives without judgment or fear. The photograph became a tool to contain the difficult experiences, to distance the trauma from the individual, to communicate what may be difficult to express in words, and to highlight and share successes. Through the photo narrative project, each group member created a visual timeline of their life journey/journey with HIV, nurtured community trust and support, and produced a final product that can be used to promote self-esteem, to measure resilience, to educate others, and to reduce stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Several recurring themes such as spiritual faith, community support, self-love, and mindful appreciation of life emerged which supported the idea that cultivated resilience in the face of trauma allows WLH to not only survive but thrive