Art Therapists’ Perspectives on Exploring Sexuality in Treatment Sessions

This study examined the relationships between U.S. based graduate-level art therapists’ (N = 174) personal and professional characteristics and their decisions to explore sexuality in sessions. A mixed-methods concurrent design generated quantitative and qualitative data through a one-time anonymous internet study centering on two clinical case vignettes. One vignette highlighted gender nonconformity, the other the sexualization of the therapist. Comparison of years of art therapy experience for two groups, those who interacted with one vignette before exiting and those who interacted with both found the group that rated both vignettes had more years of AT experience (M = 13.08, SD = 10.5) than those who quit (M = 8.06, SD = 8.2) after one, t(145) = -2.9; p = .004. There were no significant differences in sexuality training, work location, or primary role between the two groups. The qualitative data found most respondents, predominantly White women, were often clinically confident. Where the gender nonconformity vignette elicited vulnerability, the sexualization of the therapist vignette provoked transference and projection. For gender nonconformity, the themes of art therapy for supporting safety and sexuality were very common. For the sexualization of the therapist, the themes of art therapy for exploring aggression and erotic transference were common. The data showed many were often comfortable, demonstrated mastery in treatment formulations, and gained confidence with age and years of experience. The profession of art therapy may benefit from including art therapy-based sexuality training as standard protocol in training and supervision

Mindful of God: Meditation Practices within Abrahamic Traditions

Through the exploration of meditation practices within Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, this paper emphasizes the shared intention among practitioners of these Abrahamic traditions to connect with the Divine Presence of God in daily life. In modern America, where religious diversity and secularism coexist, meditation practices have gained traction in spiritual settings, secular spaces, religious communities, and other environments. This paper reviews three key meditation practices: the dhikr practice in Islam, the “Just Being” Shabbat practice in Judaism, and the “Silence as a Door to God” practice in Christianity. Through this review, significant phenomenological parallels emerge: the practices of cultivating stillness of mind, letting go of distractions, and familiarizing oneself with the felt Presence of God. These shared elements highlight a unifying pursuit that each religion shares—an intention to cultivate a personal connection with God. This paper concludes with a novel meditation exercise, featuring a written script and an audio recording of a practice that incorporates shared language from each tradition. It enables observant individuals of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity to recognize their common humanity through a meditation practice that supports the shared sacred pursuit of connecting deeply with God

Mindfulness 101: Integrating Mindfulness into the First-Year College Curriculum

The college experience offers young people unique opportunities for personal growth and academic development. However, it is widely recognized that college and university students suffer from unprecedented rates of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness, often defined as paying attention on purpose, moment-to-moment, without judgment, has the potential to not only reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression but also to promote flourishing. By integrating mindfulness into the first-year college curriculum, educators facilitate students’ abilities to a) better understand their emotional responses so that they might navigate stress, relationships, and challenges with greater ease, b) better recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and make more informed decisions about their academic and career paths, and c) connect more deeply with their core values and goals so that their choices align with their long-term aspirations. This creative thesis project argues for integrating mindfulness into the first-year program or college composition curriculum and provides relevant resources. It first describes the recent surge in mindfulness research, particularly mindfulness in education, before reviewing meta-analyses that suggest MBIs are effective in decreasing stress and anxiety in non-clinical post-secondary populations. The thesis highlights individual studies that investigate MBIs potential to promote flourishing, particularly social connectedness, meaning and purpose, and life satisfaction, before reflecting on the pedagogical precedent in the work of educators, researchers, philosophers, and scholars such as William James, Paulo Friere, Ellen Langer, and Parker J. Palmer. It concludes by providing introductory resources for the first-year college curriculum

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling and Mindful Narrative Therapy

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs. The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as references found in those peer-reviewed journal articles. The findings show that MBNT can be a helpful intervention for individuals exposed to ACEs that generates more positive life outcomes. However, participation in MBIs may, for some individuals, result in adverse effects, thus requiring trauma-sensitive, phase-based approaches incorporated into MBNT

Sense, Drugs, and Rock \u27n\u27 Roll: A Critical Review of Music and Psychedelic Literature

The use of psychedelics has been shown promising efficacy surrounding treatment-resistant mental health diagnoses, as well as improving quality of life for those not suffering from mental health conditions. Additionally, music has been seen as a significant part of psychedelic research, both by music therapists and other allied health professionals alike. This literature review explores the current research surrounding music therapy and psychedelic approaches, as well as the areas in which they intersect. The current review focuses on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and self-concept, delving into the perceptions of both music and psychedelic therapy as emerging treatment options for these diagnoses. Ultimately, the intersection of these two mediums is under-researched despite showing beneficial and significant overlap in uses. Recommendations moving forward include more rigorous research standards and integrating other forms of music therapy into psychedelic-based approaches

Using Expressive Arts Therapy with Autistic Children to Help Regulate and Build Coping Skills: a Literature Review

This literature review is about whether we can use Expressive Arts Therapy with autistic children to regulate and build coping skills. The author could not find articles that covers the entire topic, but she split the topic in terms of autism in India and various application of Expressive Arts Therapy globally. She was able to find Expressive Arts Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy was helpful to autistic children, or children with trauma. She could also notice the stigma of autism in India in some of the articles

A Proposal for the Theoretical Integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy

A recognized integration of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dance/movement therapy (DMT) has not been developed because the concept currently lacks a strong philosophical and theoretical background. Observations from adjacent integrative expressive therapies and clinical practice provide encouragement that these models may provide a unique contribution to the field of psychotherapy. CBT would support the field of DMT toward better establishing an evidence-based theoretical background and framework. It is proposed that a well-supported approach to CBT and DMT should be built from a theoretical integration that upholds integrity of both models while identifying connective philosophical roots. This literature review initiates this philosophical exploration by considering how embodied cognition and embodied affectivity are the mechanisms that establish a link between CBT and DMT

Community Music among Brazilian Culture: A Community Engagement Project

Although community music eludes a fixed definition due to its fluid and context-dependent nature, its effects are found to be beneficial throughout the world. An example of this is seen among native and emigrant Brazilians where music is part of the individual, community, and culture. This thesis explores the therapeutic value of community music among current residents of Brazil and Brazilians that have emigrated to the United States. Through a community engagement project, this research hypothesized that although music may serve different purposes occasionally, the primary function-to create community and culture-remains the same. Participation in two key community music making experiences, one in Brazil and the other in the United States, followed by journaling and expressive responses comprised the community engagement project. Findings indicate that the therapeutic value of community music is needed at a higher rate among Brazilian emigrates, due to the disconnect to their native land. The implications of this study advocate for incorporating cultural music in therapy sessions and the creation of more community and culture-based music groups to support the well-being of culturally diverse clients

Resource-Oriented Music Therapy for Musicians\u27 Maladies

Professional musicians often experience various stressors brought on by perfectionist training routines, racial and gender disparities, and other occupational challenges. This thesis aims to inform music industry professionals, music educators, and mental health clinicians of the psychological and physiological struggles professional musicians experience with a focus on music performance anxiety (MPA) and music-induced harm (MIH). Findings from this literature review indicate that musicians who identify as BIPoC or female struggle more with mental health and their musician identities than white, male-identifying musicians. The published literature tends to explore treating musicians’ mental health with Western-rooted cognitive behavioral therapy and has under-explored how musicians may benefit intrinsically with music therapy. Eurocentric-therapy lacks cultural awareness and does not adapt to the intersectional identities and diverse needs of musicians. This thesis seeks to explore how to support musicians’ wellbeing with resource-oriented music therapy interventions such as guided imagery with music (GIM) and music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation. Findings revealed that music therapy methods are as effective as traditional cognitive behavioral methods among musicians. I argue that resource-oriented music therapy can foster musicians’ efficacy to access and process their feelings and stressors through musical expression

Hope-Centered Art Therapy Exploring the Emergence of Relational Narratives in Nurturing Resilience in Children

This review examines the importance of hope and resilience in art therapy interventions for children by synthesizing current research on how art therapy can foster hope. The data were collected by reviewing published peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, reflective writing, and artmaking—arts-based research methods. The beginning sections delve deeply into the definition of hope and resilience in the context of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. Art therapy acts as a creative medium for fostering these qualities. It is discussed that creative expression contributes to emotional regulation, utilizes therapeutic intra- and inter-relationships as a source of hope, and connects the child with their inner source of resilience. Although research has infamously associated resilience with an inherent internal ability to rise above external adversities, only a few authors have challenged this notion beyond individual positionality and towards oppressive systemic structures. Future research will benefit from problematizing understandings of resilience in forming adaptive coping strategies in strength-based art therapy, which underlies how creative experiences contribute to the development of therapeutic relationships as a source of hope