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Confronting the Body after Breast Cancer: A Group Art Therapy Design Using Clay as a Therapeutic Intervention to Confront Issues Related to Body Image and Self-Identity

Title:

Confronting the Body after Breast Cancer: A Group Art Therapy Design Using Clay as a Therapeutic Intervention to Confront Issues Related to Body Image and Self-Identity

Worthington, Tammy (2014) Confronting the Body after Breast Cancer: A Group Art Therapy Design Using Clay as a Therapeutic Intervention to Confront Issues Related to Body Image and Self-Identity. [Graduate Projects (Non-thesis)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Tammy Worthington
Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can cause long term distress, effecting women both physically and psychologically. Changes to the body can impact a person’s perceived body image leading to impaired quality of life (QoL), decreased self-esteem and to feelings of anger and loss. Art therapy and art making have been shown to enhance emotional awareness and expression while also providing opportunities for social interaction and support. The aim of this research paper is to design a ten week group art therapy program helping women post treatment with breast cancer confront issues related to body image and self-identity, using clay as a therapeutic intervention. In the program being designed, sessions will be provided for outpatient women within a hospital setting on a weekly basis, for one and a half hours and are intended for a group of six to ten individuals, six months post treatment prior to the start of the intervention. The focus will be on the first three phases of an intervention model and include the general framework, goals for each session, session content, and directives. Research shows that body image concerns are associated with poor self-esteem, social anxiety, self-consciousness, and depressive symptoms. By proposing this unique clinical intervention program, my goal is to encourage art expression in a safe group environment using clay as a means through which individuals can strengthen their coping resources while increasing their self-confidence.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Fine Arts > Creative Arts Therapies
Item Type:Graduate Projects (Non-thesis)
Authors:Worthington, Tammy
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Creative Arts Therapies (Art Therapy Option)
Date:August 2014
Keywords:breast cancer, body image, self-identity, clay, intervention
ID Code:979138
Deposited By: TAMMY WORTHINGTON
Deposited On:27 Oct 2014 14:04
Last Modified:10 Apr 2018 17:02
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