Publication Date
2008
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Department
School for Social Work
Abstract
Literature in the field of multicultural counseling and therapy supports the need to develop effective theories and practical models for working cross-culturally. Literature in the field of art therapy provides strong evidence that art-making can be a successful tool for therapeutic use with a wide range of clients. Yet there is little research linking these two fields. This theoretical study aims to extend the limited research on this topic by looking at the literature from these two fields, and examining how art-making in therapy can be used as a tool to alleviate some of the problems that can occur when traditional verbal psychotherapy is applied to cross-cultural and cross-linguistic therapeutic situations. The findings in the study point to the conclusions that art-making can be used in cross-cultural and cross-linguistic therapeutic settings to enhance communication by bridging language and cultural barriers, to strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and to increase engagement and understanding between practitioner and client.
Recommended Citation
Schieffelin, Sara Ruth, "Using art making in cross-cultural clinical therapy" (2008). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1299
Comments
Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2008. ii, 70 p. Includes bibliographical references.