Combining Nature-Based Therapy and Art Therapy among Adolescents with Depression and Anxiety
Author
McGarry, Joan
Date
2018
Degree
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Abstract
This thesis addressed the prevalence of mental health needs among adolescents (ages 11-
15) and the increase in the disengagement amongst humans and nature. Research and
field studies were conducted and data collected at a summer rehabilitation day program
for adolescents with an anxiety and/or depression diagnosis. The study revealed a
decrease in the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression with adolescents after
involvement in nature-based art therapy. In the first trial, 73% of the participants
demonstrated improvement in their anxiety levels and in the second trial there was 100%
improvement. Depression levels for participants improved 100% in the first and second
trial. In addition, there was evidence the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (Gantt &
Tabone, 2003) scores increased with each additional art intervention. Eight out of 10
participants had an increase in FEATS scores and the two remaining had the highest
FEATS score in both interventions. Consequently, the remaining two were unable to
score any higher.