Thesis
A theoretical consideration of utilizing art therapy with individuals who are diagnosed with alexithymic features: a literature based study
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Dec 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009845
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to explore the potential of utilizing art therapy as a nonverbal therapeutic approach with individuals who have alexithymic features. Insight or psychotherapies that focus on an individual's abilities to identify, differentiate, and describe emotions verbally has not proven to be an effective approach in the treatment of alexithymia. This study explored literature on alexithymia, affect theory, emotional theory, and art therapy in order to systematically pursue the potential of art therapy for individuals with alexithymia. The methodological design of the research is a literature-based study. Literature was gathered through electronic databases, journals, and other relevant scholarly literature sources. The literature was then organized into categories and entered into matrices for analysis using the Matrix method designed by Judith Garrard (1999). The Matrix Method provides the structure to systematically gather, review, and analyze the literary data in preparation for writing the synthesis. The major findings of this study identified six interactive themes which contributed to constructing theoretical considerations for utilizing art therapy as a nonverbal sensory modality are: a) Insecure attachment is associated with alexithymia; b) Alexithymia includes impairments in sense of self and identity since affect is instrumental in defining identity or sense of self; c) A review of what took place in the infancy and the toddler stage is required in order to deal with the kinds of transference seen in alexithymia; d) Individuals with alexithymia are thought to be operating in the presymbolic stage, with primitive or infantile personalities which affects communicative abilities, intra-relationships and inter-relationships; e) Poor responses to insight therapy are generally attributable to the lack of ability to connect verbal language, gestures, or other symbols with affects and feelings; and, f) Art as therapy processes are likely to activate neural pathways related to tactile and kinesthetic sensations. Research indicated that developmentally some alexithymic individuals were chronologically an adult but their emotional psyche remained on a pre-symbolic level. The question became: would art therapy be an appropriate choice since individuals with alexithymia demonstrate impairment in symbolic representation, constricted imagination and a paucity of fantasy making? Findings from this study indicated that art therapy as a sensory modality may be a useful approach for treatment of alexithymia using a developmental approach. Art therapy as a sensory modality is suggested since an individual's earliest expression begins through motor, tactile, and visual sensations. Therefore, art therapy may be a way to express psychological issues in a manner compatible with cognitive and emotional development.
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Details
- Title
- A theoretical consideration of utilizing art therapy with individuals who are diagnosed with alexithymic features
- Creators
- Sarah E. Bertsch-Johnson
- Contributors
- Nancy E. Gerber (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 188 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021888935704721