Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Raquel Stephenson, PhD, ATR-BC, LCAT

Abstract

The Latinx population is one of the fastest growing racial and ethnic groups in the United States, yet there is still a great need for culturally appropriate training tools and screenings to support folks experiencing immigration-related trauma. This study explores ways art therapy can foster connection and empowerment for a Latinx child impacted by immigration-related post-traumatic stress, if only the field considers expanding its culturally relevant and trauma-informed creative-based processes. Newer literature in trauma-informed expressive therapies suggests a bottom-up approach, wherein tapping into the kinesthetic and sensory levels of the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) allows us to process through movement, internal, and external sensations. Literature in art therapy materials, however, has historically remained limited in scope. I engaged in arts-based qualitative research, specifically client-led art therapy directives using food – an unconventional, consumable, and impermanent art therapy material in our creative-based processes – which proved to be a promising new way to creatively respond to one’s experiences. Three major themes were identified as portals to empowerment across eight sessions in a community mental health setting: creative embodiment, poiesis, and the strength of the therapeutic relationship. This study offers an invitation for deeper, more creative exploration around the ways trauma-informed, culturally relevant creative-based processes (i.e., food, cooking) can foster empowerment for the myriad populations we serve.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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