The Utilization of Art Therapy Techniqaues with Hospitalized Anorexic Patients
Graduation Date
Spring 1984
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
Abstract
This paper will attempt to provide an overview of collective experience gained during my internship in working with twenty seven anorexics using Art Therapy techniques. Since my internship also included work with a severely Learning Disabled and retarded adolescent, changes in her Body Image perception, externally as well as internally, caused me to consider the same possibility of remediation with Anorexics. Through the course of investigation for this study, the intention has been to present a synthesis of information as to causality, treatment and inherent difficulties in common for all disciplines in working with this very difficult illness. It is felt that the findings as to remediation of Body Image misperception, experience in utilizing Art Therapy techniques with this population and recommendations based on this experience, make a case for strong consideration of Creative Arts Therapies used adjunctively with an Anorexic population.