Some of the material in is restricted to members of the community. By logging in, you may be able to gain additional access to certain collections or items. If you have questions about access or logging in, please use the form on the Contact Page.
Sanders, A. (2015). Exploring the Art Therapist’s Perspective of Working with Victims of Disaster. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2015fall_Sanders_fsu_0071E_12855
The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the art therapist's perspective of working with victims of disaster and implications of art therapy after a disaster experience. Empirical research in disaster relief is limited, likely due to the unpredictable nature of disasters and the unique circumstances of each disaster event. Victims of disaster are at risk for developing symptoms related to acute stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder related to their disaster experience. Art therapists have worked alongside other mental health providers to assist and treat victims of disaster within the immediate and delayed response to a disaster. Literature on art therapy with victims of disaster is heavily weighted on art therapy with children after a disaster, with few studies including adolescents or adults. This study used a qualitative clinical-ethnographic grounded theory approach to understand what art therapists do and how they work with victims of disaster that aids in healing from these traumatic events. The findings of this study suggest the participating art therapists valued openness and flexibility in their work, varying their approach based upon the timing of their response (immediate or delayed), consideration for the environment in which they worked, they took on a variety of roles in the disaster response community, and emphasized the practices of self-care as beneficial for their own well-being and for increased quality of care for their clients.
art therapy, clinical-ethnography, disaster relief, qualitative, trauma, victims of disaster
Date of Defense
October 29, 2015.
Submitted Note
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Art Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
David E. Gussak, Professor Directing Dissertation; Steven I. Pfeiffer, University Representative; Marcia L. Rosal, Committee Member; Jeffrey L. Broome, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
FSU_2015fall_Sanders_fsu_0071E_12855
Sanders, A. (2015). Exploring the Art Therapist’s Perspective of Working with Victims of Disaster. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2015fall_Sanders_fsu_0071E_12855