Clay: Qualities, Benefits, and Therapeutic Applications A Literature Review

Author

Sara Hansen, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-19-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Krystal Demaine

Abstract

Clay is ubiquitous. It is uniquely durable and plastic. It is a substance sourced from the earth that has been manipulated in numerous ways and used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. Despite this, art therapy research is heavily focused on art making using two-dimensional materials. Research is lacking regarding the use of clay as a medium in art therapy. This literature review revealed many therapeutic benefits and qualities about clay. These qualities include increasing mood in psychiatric patients, increasing progress in self-development for patients with schizophrenia, increasing self-expression with older adults, and healing from trauma. This literature review intends to present relevant research on the unique characteristics of clay as a material used throughout history, the sensory processing of clay and the various ways clay can be used throughout art therapy as an effective treatment tool.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Hansen, Sara, "Clay: Qualities, Benefits, and Therapeutic Applications A Literature Review" (2018). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 35.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/35