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 2010
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
Theses/Capstones from 2007
Stained Glass at the Cutter's Edge, Jocelyn Fitzgerald
Theses/Capstones from 2006
A Cross Cultural Study of Evil Eye Symbols and Amulets, Sharon Gobuty
Community Art Therapy Group Intervention for Adolescents Battling Eating Disorders, Yulia Agafonova
Effective Art Interventions for Adult Immigrants, Wei Lin Ku
Helping Sexually Abused Children by Supporting Their Parents, Sarina Hamer
Increasing Empathy in Elementary School Age Children, Laura Purpura
Internal Locus of Control and Retablos: The Application of Art Therapy with HIV Positive Gay Men, Alberto Rangel
The Use of Group Art Therapy to Facilitate the Development of Identity with Adolescents in a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center, Sarah K. Moffitt
Using a Narrative Art Therapy Approach to Reduce Depression in Older Adults, Janet Ann Van Pelt
Using Art Therapy as an Intervention with Emotionally Disturbed Preschool Children, Katy Elizabeth White
Using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory-School Form, House-Tree-Person and Person Picking a Mango From a Tree in Salvadorian Children, Ana Enosensia De Ocampo
Theses/Capstones from 2005
Art Therapy Peer Support Group for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Children of Divorce, Karen Gibbons
Comparitive Study of Persian Art of Garden and Field of Art Therapy, Shelia Zion