Expressive Arts Therapy for Healing Gang Trauma: A Community Engagement

Author

Margaret Reid, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-2-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Sarah Hamil, Ph.D, LCSW, RPT-S, ATR-BC

Abstract

Many ex-gang members have experienced trauma. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the benefits of arts-based programs for rehabilitating gang members who have experienced trauma. The literature reviewed explores arts-based programs for those who have been incarcerated and those who have experienced trauma. The author was part of a community engagement with a gang-rehabilitation program in Los Angeles. The author participated in Music, Art and Drama based programs with ex-gang members. This experience further demonstrated the benefits of the expressive arts being used as a tool for treating trauma, especially in a community of people who have participated in gang life.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Reid, Margaret, "Expressive Arts Therapy for Healing Gang Trauma: A Community Engagement" (2019). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 215.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/215