Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Major
Expressive Therapies
First Advisor
Dave Mowers
Second Advisor
Heidi Landis
Third Advisor
Erica Craig
Abstract
This thesis explores the intersection of drama therapy and blackout poetry as a therapeutic intervention to address systemic existential dread (SED) among emerging adults. The proposed methodology is titled "Bringing Blackout Poetry to Life" and consists of five sessions designed to explore the participants’ SED and generate poetry, culminating in a public performance. By integrating elements from psychodrama and drama therapy with the therapeutic process of blackout poetry, the intervention intends to aid processing on all levels of the expressive therapies continuum (ETC), strengthen tolerance for uncertainty, and facilitate sustainable community action. This theoretical framework is supported by a wide-ranging literature review and by personal reflections. The author recommends participatory action research methods for future work to assess and enhance this intervention.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Kerry, "Harness the Darkness! Blackout Poetry and Drama Therapy for Systemic Existential Dread: A Proposed Methodology" (2026). Expressive Therapies Theses. 116.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_therapies_theses/116
Included in
Art Therapy Commons, Counseling Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Poetry Commons, Psychology Commons, Theatre and Performance Studies Commons
