Nature as Metaphor in School Art Therapy: Development of a Group Method

Author

Jordan StruckmanFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Rebecca Zarate

Abstract

This group method was developed to observe the impact of bringing nature materials indoors to be utilized in school art therapy sessions. Little research exists on the impacts of natural materials being used therapeutically and expressively in a school setting. This study was conducted throughout the course of one week of therapeutic homeroom with three female high school students aged 15-17. Sand, shells, leaves, flowers, seaweed, sea grapes, driftwood, prickly seeds, and berries were gathered from a beach pathway by the researcher and presented in organized piles on a large classroom table. Students responded to a different prompt for four consecutive art therapy sessions. By engaging with this unique nature assemblage process, students were able to step outside their comfort zones, collaborate on shared meanings and metaphors, reflect on internal reactions, and further bond as a group.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Struckman, Jordan, "Nature as Metaphor in School Art Therapy: Development of a Group Method" (2020). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 235.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/235