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Thesis
The applications and implications of the adoption of digital media in art therapy: a survey study
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Aug 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3867
Abstract
Art therapists have used traditional art making techniques for decades to elicit information from the unconscious. Digital art making is still in its infancy and being discussed as an artistic media to be included as a relevant art making technique. Not much has be written on the inclusion of digital art making in the therapeutic process and less have included research. This study sought to explore the experiences of art therapists that have used digital art making techniques with clients. Qualitative interviews were conducted with four currently practicing art therapists from Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas. These interviews consisted of two sections; the demographic section consisted of questions about the participant's training with technology while the second section included questions about the participant's experiences with technology and the use of technology in the therapeutic setting. The major findings of the interviews were that there are art therapists utilizing digital art making with clients and that these art therapists are combining traditional art making with digital art making techniques. Other themes were found to be that digital art making supports the defenses of doing and undoing and deconstruction and reconstruction were also discussed as part of the defense of doing and undoing. Because deconstruction and reconstruction allows the client to take an image apart and then rebuild it to his or her liking this was included with doing and undoing. This defense can provide him or her a sense of control and empowerment in a situation that the client may not have previously and allows for development of problem solving strategies. Populations that were discussed as benefitting from the use of digital media were children and adolescents, those that have suffered trauma, and those with behavioral or physical issues. Children and adolescents tend to have a greater understanding of how technology works and are able to manipulate it more naturally, while those that have suffered trauma would benefit more from the media's supportive traits. Those clients that have behavioral issues may benefit from the structure that digital art making provides along with those with physical limitations are able to adapt and interact with digital media in many different ways.
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Details
- Title
- The applications and implications of the adoption of digital media in art therapy
- Creators
- Jonathon Douglas Edmunds - DU
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3867; 991014632348004721