The Role of a Lifetime: Integrating Art Therapy and Internal Family Systems Theory to Support Artistic Reclamation in Performance Artists

This thesis followed four actors in a six-week art therapy group that was aimed at answering the question, in what ways can therapeutic art prompts, informed by Internal Family Systems theory, support the process of artistic reclamation in performance artists. Since this is an under-researched topic, a first-person action research methodology was utilized to plan, implement and reflect on how to apply IFS concepts and person-centered group art therapy theories to facilitate integration thereby operate from a state of Self-energy more consistently. Art therapy offers a method of expression that is non-verbal, somatic and metaphorical; which are all languages the subconscious mind is well-versed in. The findings show that art therapy, in combination with IFS, can be an effective method for exploring, understanding and integrating different parts of the psyche. This application of IFS and art therapy can help performance artists integrate all parts of their psyche into their artists process making for a more integrated and holistic approach towards character preparation.