Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents Experiencing Obesity: Embracing an Object Relations Approach

Author

Rohan Roberts GoldmanFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Tamar Hadar

Abstract

This thesis looked at how art therapy can help identify problems in attachment between children and adolescents living with obese bodies and their parents. In this literature review, I examined the dynamics of child-parent/caretaker relationships and the way object relations and attachment play a significant role in the child’s mental health development. Incorporating art therapy into the treatment for this population has shown some signs of improving the dynamic between children and their caretaker. Through this research, I concluded that children need a consistent caregiver to be attuned to their needs. If they lack attuned and consistent care, the child may replace parental love with an unhealthy relationship with food.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Roberts Goldman, Rohan, "Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents Experiencing Obesity: Embracing an Object Relations Approach" (2021). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 440.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/440