Animation as Therapy for Mental Health Treatment Across Diverse Populations and Contexts, A Literature Review

Author

Daneile TabanaFollow

Date of Award

Fall 9-15-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MAE - Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Laura Wood

Abstract

Scientific research has explored and identified the beneficial relationship between health and creative expression, recognizing art therapy as a source of healing. Animation has been newly recognized as an art therapy medium with potential for therapeutic healing and increased psychological well-being. This review of the literature on animation therapy explores the history of the modality’s interaction with the population observed and the effects of animation on the cognitive processes, discusses current theoretical orientations and treatment options for treating a range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior with animation therapy, and considers culturally informed and client-centered practices alongside traditional methods of delivering psychotherapy. This thesis also highlights present limitations within the growing field, and advocates for a need in increased funding to support the development of further research, programs, and tools that would be effective in implementing animation as a therapeutic practice across diverse populations and contexts.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Tabana, Daneile, "Animation as Therapy for Mental Health Treatment Across Diverse Populations and Contexts, A Literature Review" (2024). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 810.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/810