Graduation Date

2024

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Project Type

Qualitative Study

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Art Therapy

Program

Art Therapy

Program Director

Lisa Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC

First Reader

Louvenia Jackson, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC

Second Reader

Robert Hellam, MDiv, DMin

Abstract

This proposed dissertation study is a visual autoethnographic qualitative study of the recalled lived experiences of a senior woman of color's journey to become a spiritual art therapist professional during the 20th to 21st Century in the United States of America. This study interprets the memories of events in my lifetime, looking back through the lens of a spiritual mental health art therapist practitioner. The adverse effects of the legacy and enforcement of silence on women and black people. I hope that by describing my lived experiences and felt sense -- and illustrating my arduous journey to overcome societal racism, sexism, misogyny, violent sexual assaults, and the status quo that caused me to fear speaking up. Feelings of abandonment, depression, severe physical illnesses, helplessness, and hopelessness hindered my journey. Now, in addition to a hearing impairment, I am fighting stage four cancer in my last two semesters of doctoral studies.

Nevertheless, I did achieve my goals of becoming a Christian minister and an art therapist and completing my doctoral studies. The three major elements that helped me to survive, push through, and succeed were faith in God, family support (spiritual and natural), and the arts (visual, music, dance). These three elements brought me hope, joy, and strength. I hope that telling my story will help others to do the same and sustain me through this recently diagnosed stage four cancer battle.

Keywords: Spiritual practices, Art Therapy, Autoethnography, Racism, Gender Biases

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