The Use of Digital Mediums in Expressive Arts Therapy

Author

Katherine McAdamsFollow

Date of Award

Fall 9-15-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Sarah Hamil

Abstract

In recent years, there have been considerable advances in technology, which have made digital devices such as computers and cellphones cheaper and more accessible for most Americans. The Pew Research Center (2019) reports that 96% of adult American’s own a cellphone, with 81% owning a smartphone. Usage rates for cellphones and other digital devices amongst children and adolescents are also high with 95% of teens, aged 13-17, report owning a smartphone (Jiang, 2018). Despite these staggering statistics the field of psychology and creative therapies have been slower to adopt and incorporate the use of digital media and technology into the therapeutic setting with clients. Through an exploration of existing literature current applications of digital media use was explored in the areas of mental health applications, and the use of digital application with various populations such as people with Autism Spectrum disorder, as well as with differing age groups. Reasons for therapeutic resistance to the use of digital media was also explored, such as the therapeutic value of digital art versus traditional media, and a lack of training for counselors in college and university programs. Ethical considerations were another area of note, and the importance of maintaining client privacy and well-being with the use of digital technology in therapy. Lastly, the benefits and limitations of use are explored, as well as possible areas for future research.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

McAdams, Katherine, "The Use of Digital Mediums in Expressive Arts Therapy" (2021). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 415.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/415