Abstract

This research studied the effects of art therapy on a foster care child whom experienced multiple cumulative traumas in her biological household and is struggling to assimilate with her current foster family. This research consists of a qualitative secondary analysis of a previous case study conducted by Meghan J. Krikorian (2008). While Krikorian designed an ABA format study measuring self-concept before and after receiving individual art therapy sessions, this study focuses on maladaptive behavior and the transformation it undergoes with a stable and intimate therapeutic relationship. Two African American children participated in Krikorian’s study, an eight-year-old female and a nine-year-old male, this study analyzed the process and art work of the eight year old child, Tanya. Throughout this treatment, Tanya is working on coping with her worries, anxieties, and frustrations. The results of this study suggest that individual art therapy had some positive effects on Tanya’s ability to cope in treatment foster care, which may increase with a larger number of sessions.

Document Type

Thesis

Year of Completion

2019

Advisor

Dina Palma ATR-BC, LCAT

Academic Department

Clinical Art Therapy

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