Promoting Resilience Practice in Childen Using Improvisational Play

Author

Jordan KaufmanFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Denise Malis

Abstract

This paper presents an expressive arts therapy method using interventions based in improvisational play to promote resilience-building in school-aged children. A review of current literature on resilience, developmental theory, creative psychotherapeutic interventions, and drama therapy interventions with this population is included. A method using a dramatic playspace to promote embodied interaction with interventions centered in active coping, cognitive flexibility, and social support was used in group therapy work with seven students (N = 7) enrolled in a therapeutic day school. Clinical observations support the effectiveness of embodied improvisational play therapy outlined in the literature review and suggest possible accessible avenues for long-term resilience work with children.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Kaufman, Jordan, "Promoting Resilience Practice in Childen Using Improvisational Play" (2021). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 482.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/482