Date of Award
Spring 5-2015
Document Type
Master's Project
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
EVMS School of Health Professions
Program/Concentration
Art Therapy and Counseling
Committee Director
Robin Afton
Committee Member
Ellen Speert
Abstract
This heuristic self-study researched the impact of a geographic transition on my personal and professional identity by making art in nature with natural materials. A thorough review of the literature revealed a lack of research in making art in nature to study identity after a transition. The following research questions were studied: Does my principle of continuity change as I connect with nature in new places after a geographic transition? How is my self-concept impacted by my connections and disconnections with various places? Does art-making in nature affect my professional identity as an art therapist and my approach to clients? During the immersion stage, I spent 10 sessions exploring and responding to places near my place of current residence. Data collected from each session consisted of a photograph of the location, a photograph of response artwork made in nature with natural materials, and a written journal response. A committee analyzed the data and identified the following major themes: tension between seeking and grieving, protection and safety, boundaries and identity, and connectedness and aliveness. A surprise discovery of a flowchart named “Processing Identity after a Geographic Transition” emerged from a synthesis of the major themes. Possible implications for art therapy practice related to empathy for clients, approach for clients who have experienced a geographic transition, and the use of natural materials in nature in art therapy. Suggestions for further research included studying the impact of geographic transitions on the identities of various populations, evaluation of the proposed flow chart, and replication of this study under therapy with an eco-art therapist.
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Recommended Citation
Burkholder, Monika. "Place-Identity: Understanding Sense of Self Through Art-Making in Nature After a Geographic Transition" (2015). Master of Science (MS), Master's Project, EVMS School of Health Professions, Old Dominion University, https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/evmshealthprofessions_masters_papers/10