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 and doctoral dissertations from the students of the Art Therapy program.
Theses/Capstones from 2011
The Triple Spiral at Newgrange: Historical Research of its Signifigance and Implications for Art Therapy, Jacqueline Eaton
The Use of Madalas to Reduce Stress in a Homeless Shelter and A Correlation Study of Parent-Child Stress Levels and AVPT Image Choice, Coralia Cooper
The Use of Mandalas as a Developmental Assessment of Emerging Adulthood, Sara Barulich
The Use of Photo Art Therapy to Increase Self-Esteem in Hispanic Adolescents, Janet Siegel
Using Precision Drawing Tools with Men in Art Therapy, Jeremy H. Montieth
Theses/Capstones from 2010
A Cross-Cultural Look at the Emotional Response to Color: Implications for the Field of Art Therapy, Kathryn Foley
A Qualitative Heuristic Art Therapy Study of Biracial Vietnamese-European Americans and Identity Formation, Erica Doreen Orth
Art Therapy and Autism: Group and Individual Art Therapy to Enhance Social Skills in Children with ASD, Nissa Jackman
Art Therapy and Lifebooks to Facilitate Foster Children's Grief Process, Angela Anderson
Art Therapy Group for Depressed Mothers in Substance Abuse Remission, Ashley Bart
Art Therapy with Minority Special Needs Children, Charice N. Mabry
A Study Exploring the Use of hte Person Picking an Apple Assessment and the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale with Groups of Artists and Non-Artists, Jacquelynn Brooke Adams
At-Risk Adolescent Girls and Fostering Positive Self Identity: Creative Clothing Design as a Narrative Art Therapy Approach, Fei-Fei Chang
Decreasing Anxiety and Depression Through Art Therapy with Self-Identified Adult Lesbians, Sonja Carrington
Decreasing Anxiety, Improving Social Behavioral Issues and Fostering Resiliency Through CBT-Oriented Art Therapy with Homeless Children, Takako Uemura
Healing from Eating Disorders: The Journey from Narrative Writing to Art Therapy, Stephanie Schultze
Multicultural Competence in Art Therapy: A Pilot Survey, Joelle L. Crepsac
Native American Experience: The Circle as an Expression of Cultural Identity, Erin Kristine Lamon
Navigating a Path to Multicultural Awareness and Sensitivity as an Art Therapist, Kerry A. Hogin
Preferred Symbols by Gay Men Utilizing the Arrington Visual Preference Test: A Jungian Based Construct, Constantino Sacasa
Rite of Passage and Art Therapist Identity Development: Awareness and Meaning, James L. Shurter
Self-Esteem Enhancing Therapeutic Art Activities with Socioeconomicaly Disadvantaged Latency-Age Children, Patti L. Anastasi
Strength-Based Art Therapy Group for Teen Mothers, Sara Fryer
The Bicultural Identity Development (BID) Art Therapy Intervention with Hispanic Adults, Ariella Cook
The Effect and Experience of Clearing a Space with Art on Stress Reduction in Sign Language Interpreters, Ari-Asha Castalia
The Role of Thematic Art Therapy in Quality of Life Issues with Older Adults Diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Devora Weinapple
Theses/Capstones from 2009
A Qualitative Art Therapy Group Study of Individuals Folding 1,000 Origami Cranes for Loved Ones, Kristyn Tanaka
Creating a Voice: An Art Therapy Group for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, Angelena Gagliardi
Integrating Art Theapy into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Individual Treatment for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma, Amy Schillinger
Memories in the Making: An Art Therapy Group for Individuals Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or a Related Form of Dementia, Erin Lynn Morgan
Narrative Art Therapy with Adult Sibling Dyads, Sara Bulger
New Perspectives of Self Through the Aperture: The Use of Photo-Art Therapy to Enhance Self-Esteem of Adolescents Lining in a Homeless Shelter, Mimi Mei Chi Tung
Raising Self-Esteem in Adolescent Females Through the Use of Art Therapy and Storytelling, Raphaelle Lamoureux Novotny
Reflective Materials and the Use of Glitter in Art Therapy, Amber Dee Mazza
The Creation of Roadside Memorials: Art Therapy in Response to Sudden and Traumatic Loss, Kathy Dodge
The Experience of Open Ceramics Studio as Art Therapy for Those Who Have Suffered from Stroke or Other Acquired Disabilities, Barbara Bailey-Porter
The Human Figure Drawing: A Survey of Art Therapists, Laura N. Rutledge
Using Art Therapy to Express Family of Origin Issues for Developing Empathy with Couples, Jacqueline Lumer
Using the Feats With the Person Picking an Apple From A Tree Art Directive to Diagnose Depression in SEB/SBD Children Placed in Special Education Classrooms, K. Paige Donnell
Theses/Capstones from 2008
A Collective Group Art Intervention for Aggressive Adolescents to Increase Their Anger Control Skills, Miyuki F. Coirin
A Comparison of Art Material Preferences in Anorexia and Bulima Nervosa: A Survey of Clinicians, Alissa Garcia
An Art Therapy Technique of Story Making: Sandplay Story Through Digital Comic Storytelling, Yulia M. Shin
Art Therapy, Communication and Emotional Expression: Exploring Joint-Drawing Directives with Couples, Kristina Goldbach
Plaster Hand Casting With Adolescents as a Means of Building Identity, Julie Anderson
Understanding the Natural Lives of Trees: Implications for Art Therapists, Nuquynhthi Velasquez
Utilizing an Identity-Based Art and Peer Group with At-Risk Youth: Supporting Identity Processes, Kelli Rae Avina