Date of Award
9-1979
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Department
Art
Abstract
This culminating project explores the role of awareness in personal growth within the context of art therapy. Drawing from phenomenological psychology and Taoist philosophy, the author argues that every individual possesses an innate potential for self-actualization, which can be fully realized through heightened awareness. However, various psychological and cultural blocks—such as repression, trauma, social conditioning, and attachment to past or future experiences—often obstruct this awareness, impeding personal growth and creative functioning.
Art therapy is proposed as a dynamic method for reestablishing awareness by bringing unconscious or suppressed emotions and experiences into explicit focus through the creative process. The paper emphasizes the difference between "pure" (pre-reflective) awareness and "reflective" awareness, noting that optimal growth occurs when both are integrated. Utilizing techniques such as mood drawings and Chinese brush painting, the author introduces the Taoist "way of seeing" as a method to cultivate presence and spontaneous expression, helping clients remain attuned to the “here and now.”
The thesis includes a detailed case study of a hospitalized woman named Hester, who progresses from emotional suppression and psychological distress to improved mental health and eventual discharge, largely through expressive art techniques grounded in the Taoist aesthetic and therapeutic principles. Her journey illustrates how the therapeutic art process fosters self-discovery, resolves unfinished psychological issues, and supports healthy self-regulation.
Ultimately, the project concludes that art therapy, particularly when enriched by Eastern philosophical perspectives, offers a powerful tool for accessing deeper levels of awareness. This integration enables individuals to overcome internal blockages and move toward holistic growth and healing.
Recommended Citation
Shu, Gong, "Awareness and Growth in an Art Therapy Practice" (1979). Theses. 1660.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1660
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