Implementing the expressive therapies continuum in school based art therapy to foster socioemotional resilience for a child in a mainstream primary school setting
The aim of this thesis was to examine how the use of art media and processes in art psychodynamic psychotherapy could enhance emotion regulation, self-discovery, expression, communication and therapeutic alliance to foster socioemotional resilience among children within a mainstream school setting. The findings of the study was gathered from a single-case vignette using a qualitative, art-based and practitioner-based research methodology. Using the Expressive Therapies Continuum as a theoretical framework, the art therapist made deliberate considerations of the inherent properties of art materials and the artmaking process to facilitate emotional discharge, imagination, play and creative expression to help the child work towards finding a balance that would lead to resolution of inner conflicts; and to gain insights for therapeutic growth. It was observed in the study that when synthesis between different components on the Expressive Therapies Continuum occurred, the child was able to experience self-actualisation, which had an effect to change attitude and/or behaviour. Even though the study was limited to the nature of a single-case vignette and short term art therapy, it evinced the efficacy of school-based art therapy that was guided by the Expressive Therapies Continuum in supporting the socioemotional needs of school-going children.