Can't Stop Us: Exploring the Benefits of an Art Therapy Group for Women with Diverse-Abilities

By Connor Macpherson

The research question that is being explored is “what are the benefits of an art therapy group for women with diverse-abilities?” The thesis will begin with the literature review including information on diverse-abilities, social construction, normalization, psychosocial stages, group art therapy, art therapy theory and feminist art therapy. It will then go into a description of the methodology which is a case study methodology utilizing a narrative approach to thematic analysis. This thesis uses an anti-oppressive approach and will mainly be discussed in a first person “I” voice of myself, the researcher. The art therapy sessions were also facilitated using a feminist approach. There will be a description of nine sessions including photographs of the artwork created by the two participants. Lastly, the discussion of the analysis of the data includes a discussion of the benefits that were observed, and they include empowerment, self-determination, developmental growth, resiliency and recovery, social connection, belonging and expression of feelings.