Designing an Expressive Arts Therapy Intervention for Wellbeing and Resilience Among Homeless Adolescents

Abstract

Homelessness among adolescents presents unique challenges that significantly impact their emotional, psychological, and social development. The lack of stable housing exposes young individuals to a range of adversities, including trauma, poverty, substance abuse, and social marginalization. Adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable to these challenges due to their developmental stage, making them more susceptible to long-term psychological consequences. In addition to addressing their physical needs, it is critical to focus on the mental health issues that arise from homelessness, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and emotional dysregulation. One promising intervention is expressive arts therapy (EAT), which integrates visual arts, music, drama, and movement to help adolescents express and process emotions that may be difficult to articulate through traditional talk therapy. EAT fosters empowerment, self-reflection, and resilience, providing valuable support for homeless adolescents navigating complex emotional and psychological challenges. This approach holds potential in promoting emotional well-being and psychological healing for this vulnerable population. newline