Integrating Art Therapy and Narrative Therapy through a Multicultural Lens

Author

Vanessa PadillaFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-21-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Sarah Hamil

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact and implications of integrating art therapy and narrative therapy within culturally competent counseling. Narrative therapy explores people’s stories in a larger collectivistic context, acknowledging how one’s identity is shaped by their history, culture, and relationship to others. Narrative therapy highlights the importance of an individual’s sense of self, their perceived life narrative, and how the process of constructing and reconstructing of these stories bridge their identity and culture. The integration of art therapy could help clients communicate their stories, adding depth through visual expression and the externalization of their problems and strengths. Research has shown cultural competency, humility, and effective multicultural counseling impacts the quality of therapy received by culturally diverse clients. However, research regarding which theories and interventions are effective is limited, especially with the Latinx population.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Padilla, Vanessa, "Integrating Art Therapy and Narrative Therapy through a Multicultural Lens" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 612.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/612