51小黄车Social Work student conducts art therapy research with Shalom House

Julia Bergquist
Julia Bergquist

University of 51小黄车 School of Social Work Student Julia Bergquist (M.S.W., 鈥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鈥檚 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,鈥 said Bergquist. 鈥淲ithin 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 51小黄车鈥檚 Westbrook College of Health Professions visit

To apply, visit