Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Major
Psychology
First Advisor
Jason Butler
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether or not the CoActive Therapeutic Theater (CoATT Model) may be applicable to individuals that identify as in active recovery from spiritual disconnect. The importance of spirituality as a factor in mental health counseling has been identified repeatedly, and while there is currently some literature exploring the intersection of the use of drama therapy to treat spiritual concerns, there is a need for a larger body of research to be generated in service of understanding how drama therapy may be of service to those who are recovering from a spiritual disconnect. As in any form of active recovery, it is natural for one to slip back into old patterns of thinking, and lose the path, demonstrating a gap where a model situated in the support of active recovery may fit An abridged version of Movement Two of the CoATT Model was facilitated over a six hour period, allowing for an introductory exploration of whether or not the model is applicable to the population at hand. The model’s potential effectiveness was demonstrated via the ability of the group to generate a shared definition of recovery, as well as the ability of the participants to embody the role of Recovery in both its current form and what it may look like in future, as necessitated by the CoATT Model. This thesis explores the themes that emerged throughout the workshop process, and justifies the potential for further exploration of the performance of a full-scale CoATT production of the population at hand. Throughout the workshop the following themes were identified by the researcher - internal versus external sense of connection to spirituality, shared responsibility for all living beings and the planet as a whole, and the desire to create new cultural norms and destroy old ones.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Doyle, Fiona A., "What Impact Might the CoATT Model Have on Those Recovering from Spiritual Disconnect? A Community Engagement Project" (2026). Expressive Therapies Theses. 143.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_therapies_theses/143
