Date of Award
Spring 5-20-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Denise Malis
Abstract
This project implemented a method developed with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mind, exploring how concepts from neurodiversity, double empathy problem, and phenomenology of living with ASD can be highlighted within the project. Progress was tracked through clinical observations, free-writing, art-based reflections, and consultations. Results highlighted the therapeutic potential of simulating a peer-to-peer, simultaneous art- making process in strengthening a therapeutic alliance grounded in the person-centered principles of non-judgment, empathy, and authenticity. The artwork created during the process acted as client-based documentation of Gestalts, superseding the clinical utility of a purely verbal therapeutic process within the context of working with ASD. Considerations for further research lie within the readers’ self-reflexivity regarding implicit neurotypical biases.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Ishii, Hisaya, "Lost in Treatment: Finding the Person through Developing a Method and Parallel Drawing" (2023). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 723.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/723
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The author owns the copyright to this work.
