AVPT Art Assessment with Survivors of Human Trafficking
Graduation Date
Fall 2013
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
John Lemmon, PhD
First Reader
Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Doris Arrington, EdD, ATR-BC
Abstract
The intent of this thesis grant proposal is to secure funding for an adult art therapy group for women have survived human trafficking. The proposed art therapy support groups will serve as an adjunct to an existing outpatient mental health and case management program serving this population. The goal is the integration of therapeutic art therapy services, as an integral part of treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at this particular agency. The art therapy group sessions will provide a space for creative and emotional expression and well as psychoeducation to help create a sense of safety and coping, and also to increase retention in the outpatient program. The psychosocial and psychological issues that human trafficking evokes will be addressed by use of the therapeutic, creative process of art making, the AVPT, and the Trauma Symptom Checklist. This paper presents incidences of human trafficking in the United States, current trends, analysis of the efficacy of methods currently used with survivors of human trafficking, and analysis of the efficacy of art therapy in helping prepare and retain clients for treatment.