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MSc in Art Psychotherapy

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7198

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    EVALUATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF JUNGIAN ART THERAPY AND DEMENTIA CARE IN MAINTAINING PERSONHOOD: A Narrative Literature Review
    (2023) Unknown author
    This narrative literature review explores the theoretical crossovers between Jungian art therapy and dementia care in consideration of personhood maintenance. Due to the lack of literature and clinical observations simultaneously encompassing these topics, the aim shifts towards crossexamining the available literature as separate datasets to identify any potential bridges or gaps between them. The perspective of this review remains within the ethical considerations of personhood maintenance, exploring potential improvements to dementia care through that lens. By attempting to place the art therapist in a Jungian-orientated, transformative role, this literature review intends to support and empower a patient population that has been socially and politically scapegoated. The first finding determined that Jungian art therapy regularly harnesses the strengths of this patient population by utilising what is retained of emotional and symbolic planes. Incorporating these planes to communicate through symbolic language may alter care dynamics and aid in the refined understanding of patients’ needs. The second finding determined the persistence of archetypal tendencies within this patient population drawing on the hypothesis that archetypal awareness in care could map out the psyche of patients and underline aspects of the self for a path towards individuation. The third finding determined the transformative effects of libido as a psychic energy, namely-how this inner force could be redirected towards creative and identity affirming expressions within dementia care. Suggestions for further research include: analysis of qualitative studies regarding these topics individually and collectively, literature from varying cultures to underline the relevance of the theory of collective unconsciousness explored in this paper as well as further incorporating testimonies of persons living with dementia.
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    An exploration of the literature on group art therapy and the mental health recovery of adult inpatients on psychiatric rehabilitation wards.
    (2023) Unknown author
    A person may be referred to an NHS inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation service if they are no longer able to safely manage in the community because of the impact of a mental health condition, such as psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and/or bipolar disorder, and if they require care and treatment to assist them with their recovery. It is noteworthy, that having a mental health illness alone does equate to someone requiring psychiatric rehabilitation support. In fact approximately only 1 out of 100 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia require psychiatric rehabilitation support (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2015). Previous studies have evidenced how art therapy interventions in psychiatric rehabilitation settings, particularly referring to the therapeutic relationship between the patient and art therapist, being a part of an art therapy group and use of the art materials, can support patients’ recovery. This includes, helping patients with making sense of themselves and their mental illness, self-regulation, communicating their needs with others through artwork/verbally, increasing self-esteem and in creating a sense of hope for their future. This narrative literature review explores the to get greater insight in to the existing evidence-base surrounding art therapy groups in inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation settings, with specific focus on how they may or may not support patients’ in relation to their mental health recovery. Thematic analysis was the chosen methodological means. The Person-centred Research Four Construct Framework by Titchen et al. (2017 p. 33) was also integrated into this critique of the literature, due to the person-centred lens of the researcher, which led to each source being subjectively discussed in relation to how person-centred it is according to it’s pre-requisites, environment, processes and outcomes. The main conclusions from this study are that art therapy groups offered to people with mental health conditions are largely supportive in supporting patients with their recovery, including providing opportunities for connectedness, hope, development of sense of self and identity, meaning, empowerment and difficulties. Gaps in the literature were identified included the lack of lived experience accounts on the recovery of inpatients in psychiatric rehabilitation settings and limited contemporary research on art therapy interventions in psychiatric rehabilitation wards possibly due to lack of resources and service provision in this area and in general. In addition, understanding of recovery varies widely across the literature which may be another reason for the limited research in this area.
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    How can artistic interventions be used to support wellbeing and relations in the workplace: A narrative literature review
    (2023) Unknown author
    The aim of this study was to investigate how artistic storytelling can be used to help employees feel valued and connected, helping to improve workplace wellbeing and achieve the organisations aims. This study used a narrative literature review approach, collecting and analysing existing research studies. The overall approach used a phenomenological method. The research started with a macro view of wellbeing in the workplace, and then funnelled down towards a micro view on art therapy in the workplace and teams. This study highlighted key aspects to wellbeing: including engagement, personal development and identity, and resilience. Artistic interventions provide a platform for creative expressions and inclusive communication, which can be used to develop not only the unique individuals within teams, but the overall team and organisation. Art and creativity can be used to show different perspectives and opportunities in the workplace, helping with development of the team, the clients supported, and the organisation as a whole. Despite the evidence showing that artistic interventions can help support and foster healthy workplaces, investing in employee wellbeing is not seen as important. To gain full benefit of artistic interventions in the workplace, practices and interventions should be embedded throughout an organisation. Our role as therapists is to provide the best support we can, and that starts with creating strong foundations and spaces from which to work from. This study explores how stronger teams and foundations can be developed.
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    EXPLORING THE THEORETICAL CROSSOVERS BETWEEN JUNGIAN ART THERAPY AND PERSONHOOD WITHIN DEMENTIA CARE: A Narrative Literature Review
    (2023) Unknown author
    This narrative literature review explored the theoretical crossovers between Jungian art therapy and dementia care in consideration of personhood maintenance. Due to the lack of literature and clinical observations encompassing these topics simultaneously, the aim shifted towards crossexamining the available literature as separate datasets to identify any potential bridges or gaps between them. The perspective of this review has remained within the ethical considerations of personhood maintenance, exploring potential improvements to dementia care through that lens, as well as placing the art therapist in a Jungian orientated, transformative role with the intention to support and empower a patient population who have been socially and politically scapegoated. The first finding determined that Jungian art therapy regularly harnesses the strengths of this patient population by utilizing what is retained of emotional and symbolic planes. Incorporating these planes to communicate through symbolic language may alter care dynamics and aid in better understanding the needs of patients. The second finding determined the persistence of archetypal tendencies within this patient population, and that archetypal awareness in care could map out the psyche of patients and underline aspects of the self for a path towards individuation. The third finding determined the transformative effects of libido as a psychic energy, how this inner force could be redirected towards creative and identity affirming expressions within dementia care. Suggestions for further research includes analysis of qualitative studies regarding these topics individually and collectively, literature from varying cultures to underline the relevance of the theory of collective unconsciousness explored in this paper, as well as incorporating testimonies of persons living with dementia.
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    Neuroaesthetics: Adopting a Neuroscientifically informed approach to Art Psychotherapy Practice. A literature review exploring the use of art psychotherapy as an intervention with children and young people experiencing social exclusion and isolation in schools.
    (2023) Unknown author
    Creative expression is an intrinsic part of being human, reflecting aspects of our inner world that may have previously remained unknown. Art making is intrinsic to art psychotherapy intervention, facilitated through a therapeutic relationship with a trained art therapist. Various art materials and creative intervention approaches are used with the aim of symptom reduction. Although there is considerable documentation of the clinical value of art therapy, quantifying mechanisms of change that may occur during intervention has been a challenge due to the multiple psychic processes involved in psychotherapeutic care. Drawing on the field of neuroscience, neuroaesthetics identifies brain dynamics that occur while engaging with art in an art psychotherapy session. These data may elucidate how making art with an art therapist engages the brain, while also uncovering mechanisms of change and informing measurement of outcomes from clinical art therapy interventions. This paper synthesises relevant literature from neuroscience and neuroaesthetics to generate an understanding of the neural mechanisms that may be present during an art therapy session. Thematic analysis is used as the method to gather, appraise and evaluate the literature. A qualitative methodology aids in reflecting on the relevance of literature to art psychotherapy practice. Gaps within the existing research are highlighted, with suggestions for future investigations that can further unify the fields of neuroaesthetics and art psychotherapy to inform practice.
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    THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS IN ECO-ART THERAPY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY EXPLORING THE PERSPECTIVE OF ECO-ART THERAPY PRACTITIONERS.
    (2023) Unknown author
    Eco-art therapy is an emerging field within the arts therapies. It involves practicing art therapy with participants in groups or individually, outdoors or with natural materials and with a particular focus on nature as the setting, subject, or materials in the therapeutic process (Alders Pike, 2021, p. 3) to improve the wellbeing of participants and develop their relationship to nature. This study used qualitative methodology to explore how eco-art therapy is practiced, how it can support the mental and emotional wellbeing of participants and encourage a change in their ways of relating to the natural world. Qualitative methods were used to collect and analyze data from semi-structured interviews with art therapists who practice eco-art therapy. The data was subjected to thematic analysis. Results suggest that eco-art therapists perceive that clients’ disconnection from their bodies, from other people and from nature can be addressed through the process of eco-art therapy. The multidimensional relationship between nature, therapist, client and art can help clients address fears, traumas and challenges, develop body awareness and presence, and lead to a shift in their perception of themselves and their relationship to the natural world. The outcomes can include a greater sense of connection to the self, others, and nature, a feeling of belonging, meaning and spirituality. These changes produce a healing effect in the client, the therapist and the natural world. Limitations and future research were considered.
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    Trust me, I'm an Art Therapist: An exploration of how an understanding of epistemic trust might inform the role of art psychotherapy in an acute ward setting.
    (2023) Unknown author
    This literature review takes a hermeneutical approach in exploring how an understanding of epistemic trust might inform the role of art psychotherapy in the acute ward setting. The review synthesizes research and theory-based texts with the aim of exploring the relationship between epistemic trust and the acute ward context, and to identify areas that could benefit from further research. The review points to three main findings. Firstly, that the acute ward setting is often experienced as challenging for patients and art therapists, with power dynamics, patient experience, and staff retention presenting chronic problems over many years. Secondly, art therapy may be uniquely well-suited to work with acutely unwell patients by offering a communicative channel beyond language, allowing greater agency over their level of engagement in therapy. Lastly, the review turns towards a criticism of epistemic trust in suggesting that it struggles to account for systemic injustices in knowledge production. The implications for art therapy practice coming from this review suggest that an important role of the ward-based art therapist is to remain sensitive to structural inequalities in acute mental health treatment and to take a critical eye towards dominant theoretical discourse. Overall, this review highlights the continued benefits of art psychotherapy in acute mental health treatment and contextualises this within a comprehensive overview of epistemic trust. Further research is needed on clarifying how this understanding could inform future art therapy practice in this setting