The Apex of a Lemniscate

by Kristin Dillenbeck

This thesis illustrates the benefits of using a developmental approach to art therapy in conjunction with neurology by presenting a single case phenomenological case study of a teen girl with brain trauma. The client described in the case study has severe epilepsy, lissencephaly and subcortical band heterotopia and as a result underwent a total corpus callosotomy to reduce the generalization of the seizures through both of her brain hemispheres. Treatment involved using a developmental approach to art therapy over a two year period, the second year documented in this paper. Observed results indicate both gross and fine motor skill improvement, increased experimentation and tolerance for a variety of sensory experiences. Development of self-mastery and self-identity and movement are also witnessed through increased creative expression. The theoretical and practical applications are also discussed.