The Emergence of Critical Thinking in Children: A Cognitive-Behavioral Inquiry-based Art Therapy Program
Graduation Date
Spring 2014
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
Ellen McCabe-Wackwitz, LMFT, ART-BC
Abstract
The purpose of this grant proposal is to request funding for support of a Cognitive Behavioral- Inquiry based art therapy group for elementary school children. The program is designed to better acquaint children to the concept of critical thinking through art creation, discussion, and analysis. This research grant proposes eight sessions of a CBT-oriented art therapy group with children ranging in ages from eight to eleven and will take place at a local Bay Area elementary school. By pairing inquiry-based activities with art creation it is hypothesized this program will broaden a child’s perspective in recognizing multiple solutions to difficult issues that may be faced in their daily lives.