Subverting the Narrative: Addressing Gaps in the Medical Model of Mental Health Through Expressive Arts and Critical Race Feminism Paradigms

Author

Sofiya KostarevaFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Kelvin Antonio Ramirez

Abstract

This paper discusses the problematic theoretical underpinnings of the medical model of mental health, first examining the historical development of the mental health field. Reviewing literature on the paradigms of expressive arts therapy, critical race feminism, and the medical model of mental health, the author argues how systemic oppression in such forms as racism, classism and ableism contribute to the issues of mental health accessibility for individuals who possess historically marginalized identities in the United States. The paper concludes with a claim around expressive arts therapy’s capacity toward addressing the theoretical challenges in providing meaningful intersectional care toward diverse populations through its focus on attunement and embodiment concepts, as well as the practical challenges of increasing basic accessibility of mental health services through its broad embrace of all creative modalities.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Kostareva, Sofiya, "Subverting the Narrative: Addressing Gaps in the Medical Model of Mental Health Through Expressive Arts and Critical Race Feminism Paradigms" (2020). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 250.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/250