Date of Award
Summer 8-30-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MCM - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Dr. Madoka Urhausen
Abstract
Art therapy and neuroscience are two fields which are currently growing and expanding with the development of new technology which allows for therapists and scientists to advance their understanding of how the brain and the body respond to the world around us. The interaction between the brain, body, and environment is complex, and for the sake of clarity for this thesis this interaction will be conceptualized through the lens of the body-mind model, polyvagal theory, neuroaesthetics, the flow state, mindfulness, sensory engagement, and art as therapy. Neuroscience in relation to psychology can be used to develop a deeper understanding of how therapeutic directives can engage the mind and body. Art therapy can serve as an outlet for participants to engage with their experiences and environment, in a non-threatening approach. Specific attention is paid to Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) in this literature review. The review of extant literature showed some promise in MBAT to facilitate meaningful changes in a therapeutic space. MBAT directives can be categorized into three different approaches: (1) engaging in a mindfulness oriented task, then creating art or vice versa; (2) engaging in art task that has mindfulness properties such as activities that involve repetitive actions; and (3) engaging in arts based activities that stimulate the brain bilaterally or creating art while using devices to stimulate the brain bilaterally. Through the interaction between neuroscience and art therapy, both fields can strive to further inform and advance each other.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Strasser, Elizabeth, "The Neuroscience of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy: A Literature Review" (2024). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 904.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/904
Rights
The author owns the copyright to this work.
