Chaleece Sandberg (She/Her), Thesis Supervisor Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Aphasia Art Therapy 2023 synthesis mental health visual art
Abstract:
This thesis provides a narrative synthesis investigating art therapy as a treatment for individuals with aphasia. Centering around visual art therapy and its mental health benefits, this thesis lays out the ways in which art therapy may assist this population as they struggle to communicate verbally. In order to synthesize these two concepts, a review of the literature was conducted on both art therapy and aphasia as they relate to mental health. Studies specifically concerning these topics through the lens of mental health are summarized and the potential benefits of applying art therapy to aphasia recovery are discussed. Future directions and gaps in research I’ve discovered while assessing this intersection are shared in the final chapter. My findings suggest that visual art therapy groups are an effective method of treatment for those with aphasia. I hope to promote further research in this area to inspire additional art therapy programs in this population and support current offerings of visual art therapy.
