UNE Social Work student conducts art therapy research with Shalom House

University of New England School of Social Work Student Julia Bergquist (M.S.W., ’18) conducted a research project in collaboration with the Shalom House, which provides an array of community-based mental health services and a choice of affordable quality housing for people with serious mental illness.

Working with Shalom House art program students, Bergquist conducted interviews and surveys evaluating art as therapy’s influence on the emotional stability of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia.

"I found this experience incredibly rewarding, both as an Applied Arts and Social Justice Certificate participant and as a new researcher,” said Bergquist. “Within the results of my questionnaire, it is very apparent that the majority of participants in the Shalom House art program experience a positive impact from the program and feel it is a sustainable therapeutic modality."

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions