2025 Abigail Emerson Crafting Resilience: An Art Therapy Protocol for OCD and Exposure Therapy

Join Abigail Emerson, an art therapy graduate student at the Herron School of Art + Design, part of Indiana University Indianapolis, as she presents her innovative thesis research. Abigail addresses the critical need for targeted art therapy resources for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Her work develops an eight-session art therapy group protocol, designed to complement Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard for OCD treatment.

Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Abigail’s protocol uses materials like air-dry clay, oil pastels, and watercolor to enhance client engagement and motivation for ERP. By focusing on values-based actions and emotional acceptance, the protocol aims to support clients in confronting intrusive thoughts without relying on compulsions, ultimately improving treatment retention. Despite limited existing research on art therapy for OCD, Abigail’s literature review and exploration of related conditions provide a robust foundation for her framework.

Conducted at Herron (https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu), this research highlights the potential of art therapy to empower those with OCD, addressing challenges like isolation and low quality of life. Abigail calls for future studies to test her protocol’s effectiveness. Learn more about Herron’s Art Therapy program at https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/gdegrees/art-therapy/index.html and support this vital work. Like, share, and subscribe to raise awareness and advance art therapy for OCD!