Art with Heart's Chill & Spill Journal: A Cognitive-Behavioral and Narrative Approach to Art Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Adolescent Siblings of Children with Cancer
Graduation Date
Fall 2010
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
Lisa Bjerknes, MD, MBA
First Reader
Laury Rappaport, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Gwen Sanders, MFT, ART-BC
Abstract
Despite major advances in treatment methods and supportive care, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children younger than fifteen years old. Childhood cancer affects all family members involved. For the siblings, it is likely that the diagnosis of childhood cancer will result in the development of anxiety symptoms. This grant seeks to discover if Art with Heart’s Chill & Spill journal, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral and narrative approach to art therapy, will reduce anxiety in adolescent siblings of pediatric oncology patients. The sponsoring agency for this grant is Circle of Care (CoC) located in Oakland, CA. CoC assists children and families coping with life-threatening illness, loss, bereavement, or trauma through support groups, crisis intervention services, and counseling and support services.