As the only Master of Arts in Art Therapy program in Northern California, Dominican University of California offers an intimate on-campus learning environment designed to prepare students for successful careers in art therapy while encouraging the artistic and therapeutic process.
This site brings together a collection of master's theses from the students of the Art Therapy program.
Theses/Capstones from 2016
The Impact of Art Based Positive Psychology on Stress Reduction for Working Mothers, Megan Curry
Using art therapy to increase reading motivation in below grade-level readers, Celia J. Gagnon
Using mindful mandala making to ground and center military spouses, Katrina Mary Bobo
Utilizing art therapy journaling to decrease insomnia and promote sleep hygiene, Emily A.R. Coffee
Theses/Capstones from 2015
Accents in Visual Language: Correlating Language Script Directionality with Bridge Drawing Interpretations, Nava Attia-Benoit
An Object Relations Approach to LGBTQ Perspective of Self-Exploration Through Art, Brittany M. Dray
Art Therapy Trainee's Attitudes and Beliefs About Self-Care, Jennifer C. Priday
A Study of How Art Therapy May Cause Reduction of Anxiety and Increase in Reminiscing in Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, Alexis Stephano
Decreasing Postpartum Depression Using Process Oriented Art Therapy, Stephanie Balistreri
Dyadic Art Therapy and Stress Reduction, Sara Clement
Eco-Art therapy's Effect on Existential Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature with Families Experiencing Bereavement, Faith Reyes
Enhancement of Empathy Among Elementary School Children of Varying Cultural Backgrounds, Gioia Schuler
Examining student athlete attitudes towards art therapy, Brendan T. H. McNally
Exploring the Coming Out Experience Through Animal Self-portraiture, Spencer John Lethbridge Fredin
Exploring the Efficacy of Transpersonal Art Therapy in Fostering Postraumatic Growth with Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care, Hope Schachter
Greek Subculture, Fan-Based Art-Making, and Identity Development: Implications for Use in Art Therapy, Kathryn C. Bender
Increasgin Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy in Fromerly Incarcerated Adult Women Using Narrative Art Therapy, Caitlyn Ehisen
Increasing Communication with Couples Using Art Therapy, Jason Pierce
Increasing Hope: Using Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy and mindfulness with Patients with Chronic Pain, Catherine Louise Falkenhagen
Increasing Quality of Life in Cystic Fibrosis Adolescents Using Art Therapy, Jennifer Eng
Increasing Relationship Satisfaction with Premarital Couples Using Art Therapy, Kristin Tai Clark
Increasing Self-Awareness in Women with Substance Abuse Disorders Utilizing Mindfulness Based Knitting in Group Art Therapy, Chelsea Owens
Military Uniform to hand-Made Paper: Potential Benefits of the Combat Paper Project, Jill E. Berryman
Pediatric Nurse Attitudes Towards Art Therapy and Mindfulness to Implement Self-care Practices, Sophia Stutes
Perceived Effectiveness of Allopathic, Naturopathic, and Art Therapies for Treatign Adult Anxiety and Depression: A Comparative Analysis, Ashley E.B. Altmeyer
Photography as Therapy: Reducing Chronic Stress in Women Experienceing Role-Overload, Christine M. Shea
Resolving Interpersonal Conflict Using an Art Therapy forgiveness Intervention, Sasha Georgeson
The Application of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy to Reduce Stress for Teachers, Melissa Jennifer Robinson
Using art therapy to reduce anxiety in college athletes transitioning out of sport, Theresa Hart Black
Using "Identity Tower":An Art Therapy Intervention for Increasing Perceived Social Identity in Workplace Groups, Julia Hammett
Viewing the AIDS Memorial Quilt: A Study on Empathic Attitudes and Behaviors, Social Advocacy and Art Therapy, Jeannie Star Olson
Theses/Capstones from 2014
An Art Therapy Program for Artists with Disabilities, Mariah Dancing
Art-Making in the Digital Age: Comparing the Use of Tablet Technology and Traditional Art Materials Among Studetns on the Autism Spectrum, Joleigh Davis-McBryan
Art Therapy and Transition with Retirees: A Narrative Appoach with Altered Books, Liana J. Shaw
Art Therapy as a Tool to Increase Independent Peer Interactions in Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christel S.G. Berry
Art Therapy in Art Museums: Promoting Social Connectedness and Psychological Well-being of Older Adults, Rose Bennington
Art Therapy in Schools: Reducing Anxiety in English Learning Learners, Christina Clampett
Collage Art Therapy and Grief: How Art Therapy Can Improve Grief Symptoms and the Quality of Life for Adults in Bereavement, Lynne M. Prieto
Decreasing Social Isolation: Combining Narrative Therapy and Art Therapy in Supporting Veterans, Jose D. Rojales
Ecopsychology, Mindfulness, and Art Therapy Interventions to Reduce Emotional Dysregulation in the Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) Population, Kasey L. Connors
GREAT: Open Studio Program to Assess and Treat PTSD in Veterans, Gretchen Gullicksen Grant
Stories Unearthed: Clay therapy with Older Adults Using a Narrative Art Therapy Approach, Maria G. Sandidad
The Difference in Self-Efficacy Between First Year and Final Year Graduate Students in Art Therapy Training, Ya-Wen Huang
The Emergence of Critical Thinking in Children: A Cognitive-Behavioral Inquiry-based Art Therapy Program, Corinne Hajnik
The Impact of Response Art on Therapist Empathic Understanding: Drawing a Picture from a Client's Perspective, Alison Jackson
The Meaning of Art Therapy and Equine Assisted Therapy with Adolescents, Samantha Louise Tucker
Using Art Therapy and TF-CBT to Reduce Anxiety adn Depression in Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended, Kathryn King
Using Narrative Art Therapy to Explore Acculturative Stress Among First Generation Japanese Immigrant Women Married to U.S.-Born Spouses, Yasuno Yoshizawa