Increasing positivity: Using art therapy to shift emotional states toward positivity among adolescent girls in the California juvenile justice sysyte

This pilot study investigated if using art therapy helped to shift emotional states towards positivity among adolescent girls currently residing in the California Juvenile Justice System (JJS). The researcher worked directly with the Art of Yoga Project (AYP) while conducting art therapy research. This pilot study gave participants the opportunity to explore and foster self-awareness, increase self-esteem and optimism. This research demonstrates the benefits art therapy can have on ones emotional state and sense of well-being.