Date of Award

4-29-2019

Access Restriction

Research Projects

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Marital and Family Therapy

School or College

College of Communication and Fine Arts

First Advisor

Debra Linesch

Abstract

This research project aims to explore how art therapists use textiles in clinical practice and personal artmaking and to learn about the perceived benefits and challenges of this type of work. The study utilizes a Qualtrics survey, with 70 participants, and a focus group methodology, with 4 art therapists. Through the analysis of the participants’ conversations, artwork, and survey information, emergent themes were identified related to examining biases of gender identity, challenges related to considerations of time, the repetitive and slow nature that are particular mindful qualities of textile making, potentially heightened benefits of textile work with children and adolescents, and a call to reexamine boundaries of technique with the inclusion of unstructured textile exploration. Art therapists described benefits for clients particularly related to trauma work, grounding, and sense of mastery. These themes emphasized findings that illuminate the value of working with textiles in personal artmaking and in art therapeutic environments.

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