Family assessment and interactive art exercise : an integrated model

  • Lesley Hanney

Western Sydney University thesis: Doctoral thesis

Abstract

This thesis presents research into the development of a family assessment and interactive art exercise that is designed for children between the ages of two to eleven with complex psychiatric difficulties and those who have been exposed to significant abuse, trauma, and neglect and with family relationship problems. An overview of the field of child development, trauma and attachment is presented. Various clinical approaches and tools that have been used to engage and assess children is then explored and analysed including psychodynamic and systemic, such as art therapists, family therapists and family art therapists. These explorations created the framework for the development of the family assessment and interactive art exercise using an integrative model that is a synthesis of theoretical approaches and clinical assessment tools. The family assessment and interactive art exercise was then applied to four families and the findings evaluated and presented through vignettes, observations and discussions. The results demonstrated that when applying an integrative model of assessment to children with complex needs increases child inclusion, multiple levels of information can be effectively and efficiently observed and assessed and first-rate multidisciplinary treatment plans can be created.
Date of Award2009
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • family psychotherapy
  • child psychotherapy
  • art therapy

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