THERAPISTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ART THERAPY A Project Presented to the facility of the Department of Social Work California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK by Kevin R. Cavazos SPRING 2012 THERAPISTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ART THERAPY A Project by Kevin R. Cavazos Approved by: _______________________________________, Committee Chair Kisun Nam, Ph. D., MSW _____________________________ Date ii Student: Kevin R. Cavazos I certify that this student has met the requirement format contained in the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the project. ______________________, Graduate Coordinator . Dale Russell, Ed.D., LCSW Date Division of Social Work iii Abstract of THERAPISTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ART THERAPY by Kevin R. Cavazos Utilizing grounded theory, this study will explore therapists’ perspective of the use and effectiveness of art therapy amongst many different ages, groups, and populations. Through a semi-structured interview, the researcher interviewed 10 therapists from different educational backgrounds that consisted of Social Work and Art Therapy. Therapists’ views regarding how art therapy works and why, their theoretical orientation and their experiences in implementing this method were examined in the semi-structured interviewed and was analyze by the content given. Although therapist provided their perceptions on their theories, implementation strategies and effectiveness of art therapy, there seems to be no correct theoretical orientation or application of precise art therapy techniques that determines the effectiveness of art therapy. Conclusion of this study determines that effectiveness is based on the therapist and not the model. , Committee Chair Kisun Nam, Ph. D., MSW . Date iv DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this project to my mother Lee Ann Meneley. You have been my support throughout my academic career and I could not have gone through this process without you. I would especially like to thank my friend Kayleigh Lembke. You have provided me with words of support, encouragement, and a loving friendship. Other thanks I would like to give would be my friends in and out of the Social Work Program. These individuals consist of Carey & Catrina Roberts, Crissy Perrin Goble, Tiffany Huartson Pulsipher, Maureen Forbes, Emma Spanko, Nathan Stuckey, and Kathryn Spurr. I give thanks to all of you for being there for me. Lastly I would like to thank the Social Work Department and professors for their support, education, and advocacy in providing me with great experiences and knowledge needed to be an effective clinical social worker. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank Dr. Kisun Nam for his insight and guidance in the completion of this research project. Thank you for your support. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication ........................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1. THE PROBLEM ........................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Problem ...................................................................................... 3 Statement of the Research Problem .......................................................................... 5 Rationale of the Study .............................................................................................. 5 Theoretical Frameworks ........................................................................................... 7 Definitions of Terms ................................................................................................ 8 Assumptions ............................................................................................................. 9 Justification .............................................................................................................. 9 Limitations ................................................................................................................ 9 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 11 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 11 Art therapy .............................................................................................................. 11 History and Pioneers .............................................................................................. 14 Theoretical Approaches .......................................................................................... 17 Psychodynamic approach............................................................................. 17 Humanism approach .................................................................................... 18 vii Cognitive behavior approach ....................................................................... 20 Solution-focused approach ........................................................................... 21 Narrative approach ....................................................................................... 23 Developmental approach ............................................................................. 24 Expressive art therapy and multimodal approach ........................................ 28 Types of Art Therapy ............................................................................................. 29 Music therapy (MT) ..................................................................................... 29 Dance/movement therapy (DMT) ................................................................ 30 Creative-arts therapy (CAT) ........................................................................ 32 Effectiveness of Art Therapy Intervention with Specific Populations ................... 35 Art therapy for aggression ........................................................................... 35 Art therapy for autism spectrum .................................................................. 36 Art therapy for sexually abused children ..................................................... 37 Art therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ................ 39 Art therapy and adolescent depression ........................................................ 41 Art therapy and those suffering from schizophrenia .................................... 42 Art therapy and eating disorders .................................................................. 44 Art therapy and the prison system ............................................................... 46 Art therapy and other disorders.................................................................... 48 Summary ................................................................................................................ 49 3. METHODS ................................................................................................................... 50 viii Introduction ............................................................................................................ 50 Research Design ..................................................................................................... 50 Sampling Procedures and Data Collection Procedures .......................................... 51 Measurement Instruments ...................................................................................... 52 Data Collection Procedures .................................................................................... 52 Analysis Plan .......................................................................................................... 53 Protection of Human Subjects ................................................................................ 54 Summary ................................................................................................................ 55 4. FINDINGS .................................................................................................................. 56 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 56 Participants ............................................................................................................. 56 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................... 57 How art therapy works ................................................................................. 57 The role of age ............................................................................................. 63 Problems and symptoms of clientele ........................................................... 64 Types of art interventions utilized and their effectiveness .......................... 66 The use of theoretical orientation ................................................................ 68 Therapist perspective on the effectiveness of art therapy ............................ 69 Advice to future therapist............................................................................