Date of Award

Spring 5-2016

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

Mary Roberts

Committee Member

Geoffrey Thompson

Committee Member

Lauren Tharp

Abstract

Within the field art therapy, numerous processes and materials exist to promote expression of affect and the enhancement of creativity. These mediums are crucial to the progression of art therapy, including drawing, painting, and three-dimensional processes such as clay, containers, and fiber arts. Art therapy is part of expressive therapy, where puppetry, doll-making, and mask-making have moved from the field of drama therapy to art therapy. The evidence for certain techniques, such as costuming in art therapy, is still lacking. This study implies Landy’s continuum in drama therapy as parallel to Lusebrink’s Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) in art therapy, suggesting transference of costuming to art therapy. A nine-week heuristic self-study of costume-making was proposed through weekly reflection of related techniques, resulting in eight costume pieces and nine weekly art and written reflections. The data was analyzed through a content analysis, identifying the themes of affect, identity, art process, protection, the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), transformation/integration, symbolism/projection, acceptance, expression, containment, and aesthetics. Implications for the self, clinical application, and research in art therapy are identified, suggesting costume-making and costume-wearing as an effective art therapy process and material.

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