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Thesis
Hands-on healing: exploring malleability with clay to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional growth in medical art therapy
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011112
Abstract
This culminating project documents the development and implementation of an art therapy program within a medical rehabilitation hospital. Observing the resilience of individuals managing complex conditions like amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, it became clear that exclusively physical and cognitive treatments were insufficient to address the profound psychological impact of recovery. This highlighted the critical need for art therapy in their healing processes. As an art therapist, my training emphasizes the mind-body connection and the power of non-verbal expression to process trauma and illness, aligning with my professional goal of integrating art therapy into healthcare systems. Building upon existing research demonstrating art therapy's efficacy in pain management, motor skill development, and emotional regulation, this project details the process of integrating services across various inpatient units. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations, the implementation of co-treatment initiatives, and the integration of a mental health focus within interventions. The project showcases a range of accessible and relevant art therapy interventions designed to address patients' cognitive, physical, and emotional needs, with a specific exploration of clay's therapeutic properties. This detailed, real-world example offers insights and specific intervention strategies for establishing and running art therapy programs in medical settings. Its implications are significant for the field of medical art therapy, providing a practical model for other institutions, informing clinical practice, and advocating for art therapy's vital role as a comprehensive and person-centered component of rehabilitation.
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Details
- Title
- Hands-on healing
- Creators
- Katy McCarthy
- Contributors
- Michele Rattigan (Advisor) - Drexel University, Creative Arts Therapies
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 56 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022064342304721