Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Sarah Hamil

Abstract

The treatment for cancer can be physically, mentally, emotionally and socially challenging. These treatments have side effects like physical body pain, hair loss, changes in weight, energy, nausea and more. These physical changes impact the social, mental and emotional well-being of the patient and makes this journey of the life-threating prognosis of cancer very tough to confront. Expressive arts therapy provides a safe space for the patients to address their mental health concerns as a result of this treatment. The Capstone Thesis Project explored expressive arts therapy interventions with 95 patients through single or multiple sessions while going through their chemotherapy treatment. The focus of these sessions was the therapeutic relationship formed between the therapist and the patient in the dynamic environment of the hospital. Data was collected through notations and observations. This relational importance was proved to translate into the patient’s life in form of trust, safety, expression, increased insight and awareness, encouragement, support, and reduced distress thereby adding to the quality of life through the medium of arts like movement, music, art, drama, storytelling, poetry and writing.

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