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Girija Kaimal, EdD

HEALTH, ARTS, LEARNING AND EVALUATION (HALE) LAB

Lab members performing an assay

Our lab conducts research and evaluation studies that examine health outcomes of art therapy and arts-based interventions. In addition we evaluate psychosocial learning outcomes of school based educational interventions (in the US and internationally).

The lab is led by Dr. Kaimal and her expertise lies in the areas of health outcomes of creative self-expression, art therapy research, program evaluation, qualitative and mixed-methods research.

She is the Principal Investigator for the first qualitative study funded by the Department of Defense on Gulf War Illness. She is also the PI for the National Endowment for the Arts Research Labs cooperative agreement, examining outcomes of art therapy for in hematology/oncology settings as well as military service members with PTSD and TBI. She is PI on a series of studies that examine the health outcomes of visual self-expression arts including changes in physiological indicators (like salivary cortisol, amylase, IL10, TNF alpha), brain activation (as measured by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, fNIRS) as well as psychological indicators like mood, perceived stress, and, self-efficacy. These studies include healthy adults participants as well as caregivers of patients facing chronic and terminal illnesses. Most recently she is examining outcomes of virtual reality artmaking using FNIRS technology. This study is being conducted in collboration with the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University.

In addition, she has a portfolio of research and evaluation studies funded by the US Department of Education, National Science Foundation as well as several foundations. Her grant funding to date totals approximately $3.3 million. Dr. Kaimal also serves as a research advisor to Oxfam America and Save the Children on international projects that examine issues of disparity related to gender, and, the role of the arts in education and human development. In a recent multi-year evaluation study on leadership development funded by Lehigh University (through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education) we are examined how participation in the arts could ignite learning transfer to leadership practices. Other prior research experiences include conducting secondary analyses of qualitative data from a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) longitudinal study of depression in families; and; a multi-disciplinary study on the outcomes of genetic testing for hearing loss funded by the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).

The HALE lab research team has presented and published peer-reviewed journal articles on the role of changes in neuroinflammatory markers as a result of art making, technology in art therapy practice, the psychosocial outcomes of arts participation across the life span, and using narratives in research.

Keywords: Visual self-expression, stress, art therapy, health outcomes, biomarkers, military, hematology/oncology, caregivers, virtual reality, indigenous and traditional art forms

Principal Investigator

Girija KaimalGirija Kaimal, EdD, MA
Associate Professor - Creative Arts Therapies PhD program
View Faculty Profile



Lab members
Post-Docs

  • Rebekka Hartwell
  • Jacelyn Biondo

Doctoral Students

  • Katrina Carroll-Haskins
  • Marygrace Berberian
  • Kathryn Snyder
  • Bani Malhotra
  • Asli Arslanbek

STAR Scholars

  • Merlin Kochunilathil (2018)
  • Alexandra Pitts (2019)

Alumni:

  • Angela Guierrero, PhD: Assistant Professor, West Chester University
  • Janelle Junkin, PhD
  • Kendra Ray, PhD

Internal Collaborators

  • Hasan Ayaz: Biomedical Engineering
  • Arun Ramakrishnan: CNHP
  • Michael Bruneau: CNHP
  • Jennifer Nasser: CNHP
  • Deeptha Sukumar: CNHP

External Collaborators

  • Joanna Herres: The College of New Jersey
  • Allison Hayes-Conroy: Temple University
  • Susan Magsamen: Johns Hopkins
  • Melissa Walker: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
  • Sunil Iyengar: National Endowment for the Arts
  • Bill O'Brien: National Endowment for the Arts
  • Bryann DeBeer: Texas A&M University
  • William Levin: Penn Medicine
  • Evan Altman: Camp Lejeune
  • Tracy Councill: Tracy's Kids

Arts Research on Chronic Stress (NEA Research Lab Grant) (2017-2021) $300,000, PI

Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the project involves research on arts based approaches to managing chronic stress related health conditions. The project examines a brief art therapy session on physiological and psychological well-being. The study was completed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Radiation oncology unit. A new study is now underway in collaboration with Tracy's Kids Foundation and seeks to examine the role of art therapy in pediatric hematology/oncology settings.

Research On Art Therapy For Active Duty Military Service Members With PTSD And TBI (2015), $378,800, PI for research and evaluation (multiple PI project)

Funded by Creative Forces (sourced from the National Endowment for the Arts), the project involves analysis of art therapy intervention data from active duty military service members at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and additional sites across the country.

Veterans with Gulf Ware Illness: Understanding the Spectrum of Experiences Related to Demographics and Aging (2019-2021); $548,615, PI

Funded by the Department of Defense Gulf War Illness Research Program, the study will examine the experiences of Gulf War veterans using narrative and arts-based methods. The study will culminate in the development of a MOOC curriculum for healthcare providers.

Virtual Reality Based Art therapy and fNIRS: Johns Hopkins University International Arts+Mind Lab Award (2019), $25,000, PI

Building on previous exploratory work on VR, this study examines blood flow in the PFC using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) while creating art in virtual reality.

ARTS RESEARCH on CHRONIC STRESS (ARCS) NEA Research Labs 

 

National endowment for the arts logo

 

Drexel University is the recipient of an inaugural grant under the National Endowment for the Arts’ Research Labs initiative. The lab at Drexel—Arts Research on Chronic Stress (ARCS). This lab conducts research studies at the intersection of the arts, health, and social/emotional well-being. In addition to the research studies, the lab also connect creative arts therapies with community-based arts organizations to enhance social engagement and overall well-being in those who have been affected by prolonged stressors such as chronic pain, extended caregiving, academic stress, and trauma. In the future we will feature findings from the studies including short-term/interim deliverables; working drafts/final versions of policy briefs, literature reviews, white papers, technical guide for the field. 

The lead investigators for the studies are Dr. Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC (PI, Associate Professor, PhD program in Creative Arts Therapies and Dr. Bradt, PhD, MT-BC (Co-PI, Professor, PhD program in Creative Arts Therapies).

  

Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC

  

Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC

CURRENT STUDIES: 2019-2021 

Art Therapy in a hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant clinics for Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult patients: A pilot multi-site mixed methods observational study
Psychosocial challenges are a well-established concern for pediatric, adolescent and young adult and hem/onc patients and their caregivers. Medical art therapy is a clinical intervention that addresses the psychosocial support needs of patients and families in healthcare settings.  There are however, few systematic studies that have examined clinical outcomes of art therapy for pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients, families and healthcare providers, and none that have examined key psychosocial outcomes of art therapy, such as changes in affect, anxiety, as well as quality of life. The main objective of this pilot mixed methods observational research study is to examine the associations between participation in open studio art therapy and outcomes of psychosocial well-being among pediatric, adolescent and young adult hematology/oncology patients, families, and healthcare providers. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Tracy’s Kids, Medstar Georgetown Hospital, Children’s National Hospital, New York Presbyterian and Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.

A randomized controlled trial of art therapy for service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions
TBI has been called the signature injury of OEF and OIF, primarily related to the increased survival rates of wounded Service Members (SMs) and the increased number of brain injuries related to blast exposures.  Many of these SMs experience psychological health issues related to both neurologic injury and psychological trauma associated with combat experiences.  To date these psychological difficulties have been primarily treated through traditional behavioral health services, although recent research is suggesting that art therapy is an effective complementary therapy as it allows SMs additional avenues by which to process, identify, and address their psychological difficulties using verbal and non-verbal methods. Although art therapy has been shown to be related to positive health outcomes in program evaluation studies of active duty military SMs with TBI and post-traumatic stress additional research is needed to determine its effectiveness with SMs with TBI and psychological health disorders. With this in mind, the current study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy as a complementary therapy to standard behavioral health services in service members with TBI and psychological disorders. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy as a complement to other behavioral health interventions in the treatment of psychological difficulties in service members (SM) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study is being conducted at Camp Lejeune.

The impact of music therapy on post-surgical pain management
In light of the current opioid crisis in the United States, there has been increased attention to the use of non-pharmacological pain management interventions following surgery to help prevent  the development of persistent post-surgical pain. Research on the use of music for pain management has been rapidly growing in the past two decades, but studies on music interventions for post-surgical pain management to date have been limited to short-term impact of music interventions (i.e. 1-2 post-operative days). The purpose of this feasibility study is to examine the impact of a brief music therapy intervention versus standard care on post-surgical pain management and opioid use in 24 patients with elective total knee replacement surgery. The music therapy intervention is led by a board-certified music therapist and is aimed at teaching surgical patients music-based  pain management skills to aid with pain management following surgery. Study outcomes include pain intensity, pain-related self-efficacy, physical functioning, and opioid use. Pain intensity and opioid use will be obtained daily for the first 5 postop days. In addition, pain intensity, opioid use, physical functioning, and pain-related self-efficacy will be obtained at 2 weeks,  6 weeks and 3 months following surgery.

Group music therapy for chronic pain management with military personnel
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued recommendations to move away from opioids and instead use non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. The use of music for the management of chronic pain is increasingly gaining interest but more efficacy research is needed to encourage healthcare providers to recommend its use to patients. Moreover, the majority of research studies on music for pain management to date have focused on the analgesic effects of music for acute pain conditions (e.g. procedural pain, post-surgical pain) and have predominantly included civilian populations. The purpose of this feasibility study is to examine the effects of a 6-week standardized group music therapy treatment protocol on core outcomes in chronic pain management for service members at Eglin Air Force Base. The music therapy protocol consists of six weekly 90-minute sessions with 6-8 participants per group. Sessions are conducted by a board-certified music therapist. The treatment is based on a biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain management. Participants engage in interactive music making experiences specifically designed to address bioneurological, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of pain perception and pain management. The protocol has been tested in civilian populations with promising results.

COMPLETED  STUDIES: 2017-2019

STUDY 1: HEALTH OUTCOMES OF VISUAL SELF-EXPRESSION FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH CANCER

Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC led the study on arts-based approaches to promoting health and well-being for caregivers of patients with cancer. The study compared outcomes from two brief visual self-expressive approaches with patients, family caregivers and professional healthcare providers. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Radiation Oncology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Caregivers of patients receiving treatment at the center, as well as health care providers, were recruited to participate. The variables to be examined in the study included affect, mood, perceived stress and indicators of physiological health. The community component of the study included a public exhibition of artwork created during the study. The aim was to examine how integration of arts into different aspects of healthcare can impacted both quality of life and quality of care.

Research team: 

Dr. William Levin, MD: Penn Medicine
Juan Muniz, PhD, Lab analyst, Drexel University
Janell Mensinger, PhD, Statistician, Drexel University
Ms. Jess Drass, Graduate Research Fellow, Drexel University
Ms. Rebekka Dieterich-Hartwell, Graduate Research Assistant, Drexel University
Ms. Katrina Carroll, Graduate Research Fellow, Drexel University

Publications:

STUDY 2: CREATIVE MUSIC ENGAGEMENT TO IMPROVE CORE OUTCOMES IN CHRONIC PAIN

Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC will lead a mixed methods study that examines the effects of a 12-week music therapy treatment (MT) program followed by participation in community-based music groups compared to a waitlist control group on chronic pain management. The following outcomes will be measured: pain-related self-efficacy, pain interference, pain intensity, emotional distress, physical functioning and participation in social activities. The feasibility of post-intervention community music engagement in people with chronic pain will be tracked. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with study participants about their experiences of the MT intervention and their participation in community-based music groups. The purpose of these interviews is to help explain treatment outcomes and enhance understanding of possible barriers and facilitators of treatment success. Our community partner for this project is the Settlement Music School (www.settlementmusic.org), one of the largest nonprofit community schools of the arts in the U. S. The School provides 10,000 weekly services of individual lessons, classes and activities in music, dance and visual arts to children and adults throughout Philadelphia.

Research team:

Fenqing Zhang, PhD, Statistician, Drexel University
Amy Kesslick, MA, MT-BC, music therapy clinician, Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Health Services, Drexel University
Mark Bottos, MCAT, Zausmer Program Director of the Kardon Center for Arts Therapy, Settlement Music School
Ming Yuan Low, MCAT, Graduate Research Fellow, Drexel University
Clarissa Karlsson, MT-BC, Graduate Research Fellow, Drexel University

Publications:

Papers, Media, and Technical Reports

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Reflection Papers

 

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Research & Analysis or the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information included in this material and is not responsible for any consequences of its use. 

 

 

 

 

 

Referred articles

(*student co-author, ~data-driven)

~Kaimal, G., Walker, M.S., Berberian, M.G..*, Herres, J.M. & DeGraba, T.M.(in press). Examining Associations Between Montage Painting Imagery and Symptoms of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Among Active-Duty Military Service Members. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts.

Shafir, T., Orkibi, H., Baker, F.A., Gussak, D., & Kaimal, G. (2020). Editorial: The state of the art in creative arts therapies. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (68). Doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00068

Kalmanowitz, D., Kaimal, G., Cagnoletta, M., Kelly, J., Alfonso, M., & Lay, R. (2019). CONFERENCE REVIEW: British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Art Therapy Practice and Research Conference, London, UK, 2019. Creative Arts in Education and Therapy (CAET), Pages 117 - 128. Retrieved from http://caet.inspirees.com/caetojsjournals/index.php/caet/article/view/190

Kaimal, G., Councill, T., Ramsey, K. Cottone, C.A.*, & Snyder, K.* (2019). A conceptual framework for research in art therapy research in pediatric hematology and oncology settings. Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal. 10.1080/08322473.2019.1672453

~Kaimal, G., Carroll-Haskins, K.*, Berberian, M.G.,* Dougherty, A., & Carlton, N.R., Ramakrishnan, A. (2019). Virtual reality and art therapy: A pilot qualitative study of the novel medium. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. Doi: 10.1080/07421656.2019.1659662

~Kaimal, G., Carroll-Haskins, K.*, Dieterich-Hartwell, R.M.*, Manders, E., Mensinger, J.L., & Levin, W.P. (2019). Outcomes of art therapy for caregivers of patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. Doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.08.006

King, J.L., Kaimal, G., Konopka, L., Belkofer, C., & Strang, C. (in press, 2019). Practical examples of neuroscience-informed art therapy. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association.

Kaimal, G. (in press, 2019). Adaptive Response Theory (ART): A clinical research framework for art therapy. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association.

King, J., & Kaimal. G (2019). Approaches to research in art therapy research using imaging technologies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 13:159. Doi: 10.3389/fnhum.20-19.00159. 9

~Jones, J.P., Drass, J.M.*, & Kaimal, G. (2019). Art therapy for military service members with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury: Three case summaries highlighting trajectories of treatment and recovery. The Arts in Psychotherapy. Doi:10.1016/j.aip.2019.04.004.

~ Dunphy, K.F., Baker, F.A., Dumaresq, E.*, Carroll-Haskins, K.*, Eickholt, J.*, Ercole, M.*, Kaimal, G., Meyer, K., Sajnani, N., Shamir, O.Y. &, Wosch, T. (2018). Creative arts interventions to address depression in older adults: a systematic review of outcomes, processes and mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02655

~Landless, B.M.*, Walker, M.S., & Kaimal, G. (2018). Using Human and Computer-Based Text Analysis of Clinical Notes to Understand Military Service Members' Experiences with Therapeutic Writing. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 10.1016/j.aip.2018.10.002

~Kaimal, G., Jones, J.P., Dieterich-Hartwell, R.,*Acharya, B.*, Wang, Xi.* (2018). Evaluation of art therapy programs for Active Duty Military service with TBI and post-traumatic stress. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 10.1016/j.aip.2018.10.003

~Kaimal, G. Walker, M.S., Herres, J., French, L.M, & Degraba, T.J. (2018). Observational study of associations between visual imagery and measures of depression, anxiety and stress among active duty military service members' with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. BMJ Open. Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021448

~Berberian, M.G.*. Walker, M.S., Kaimal, G.(2018). Master my demons: Montage paintings by active duty military service members' with PTSD and TBI. Medical Humanities. Doi: 10.1136/medhum-2018-011493.

Jones, J.P., Walker, M.S., Drass, J.M.*, & Kaimal, G.(2017). Art Therapy Interventions for Active Duty Military Service Members with PTS AND TBI. The International Journal of Art Therapy. Doi: 10.1080/17454832.2017.1388263.

~Kaimal, G., Mensinger, J.L., Drass, J.M.*, &, Dieterich-Hartwell, R*. (2017). Open studio art therapy versus Coloring: Differences in outcomes of affect, stress, creative agency and self–efficacy. Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal. 30 (2): 56-68. DOI: 10.1080/08322473.2017.1375827 (Acceptance rate: 42%) (Best paper award, 2017)

Kaimal, G, Metzl, E., &, Millrod, E.T.* (2017). Facilitative Leadership: A framework for the creative arts therapies. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. Doi: 10.1080/07421656.2017.1343072

~Kaimal, G., Ayaz, H. Herres, J.M., Makwana, B.*, Dieterich-Hartwell, R.M.*, Kaiser, D.H., & Nasser, J.A. (2017). fNIRS assessment of reward perception based on visual self expression: Coloring, doodling and free drawing. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 55, 85-92. Doi: 10.1016/j.aip.2017.05.004

Walker, M., Kaimal, G. Myers-Coffman, K.*, Gonzaga, A.M.L., & DeGraba, T. J. (in press). Active duty military service members visual representations of PTSD and TBI. therapeutic journey. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being.

Edwards, J., &Kaimal,G. (2016). Using meta-synthesis to support application of qualitative methods findings in practice: A comparison of meta-ethnography, narrative synthesis, and critical interpretive synthesis. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 51:30-35. doi:10.1016/j.aip.2016.07.003

Junkin, J.,* Katz-Terry, J., Smith, K. & Kaimal, G.,(in press). Evaluation of the Art of Growing Leaders program: Supporting identity and leadership development through arts-based self-expression. Journal of Allied Arts and Health.

Kaimal, G., &, Ray, K.,* (2016) Free art making in an art therapy open studio: changes in affect and self-efficacy. Arts and Health. DOI:10.1080/17533015.2016.1217248

Walker, M., Kaimal, G. Koffman, R., & DeGraba, T. J. (2016). Art therapy for PTSD and TBI: A senior active duty military service member's therapeutic journey. The Arts in Psychotherapy 49(2):10-16.Doi: 10.1016/j.aip.2016.05.015

Kaimal, G., Gonzaga, A.M.L., & Schwachter, V. (2016). Crafting, health and well-being: National trends and implications for art therapists. Arts and Health. Doi: 10.1080/17533015.2016.1185447

Kaimal, G., & Jordan, W. (2016). Do incentive-based programs improve teacher quality and student achievement? An analysis of implementation in 12 charter schools. Teachers College Record, 118 (7): 1-34

Kaimal, G., Drescher, J., Fairbank, H., Gonzaga, A, Junkin, J.* &, White, G.P. (2016). Learning about leadership from a visit to the art museum. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 17(6).

Kaimal, G., Ray, K.,* & Muniz, J.M. (2016). Reduction of cortisol levels and participants' responses following artmaking. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 33,(2): 74-80. Doi:10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832.

Kaimal, G. & Beardslee, W.R. (2015). The Perceived Impact of Parental Depression on the Narrative Construction of Personal Identity: Reflections from Emerging Adults. Narrative works, 5, 1: 40-67.

Kaimal, G. & Blank, C.L.* (2015). Program Evaluation: A doorway to research in the creative arts therapies. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 32 (2), 89-92. Doi: 10.1080/07421656.2015.1028310

Kaimal, G. (2015). Evolving identities: The person(al), the profession(al) and the artist(ic). Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 32, 3: 136-141. DOI:10.1080/07421656.2015.1060840

Kaimal, G., Drescher, J., Fairbank, H., Gonzaga, A. & White, G.P. (2014). Inspiring creativity in school leaders: Leadership lessons from the creative arts. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 15 (4).

Kaimal, G., Barber, M., Schulman, M., & Reed, P. (2012). Preparation of urban high school principals in Philadelphia through multi-organizational partnerships. Journal of School Leadership, 22, 5: 902-921.

Huang, T.*, Kaimal, G., Beachum, F., White G., &, Fitzgerald, A.* (2012). Preparing urban school Leaders: What works. Planning and Changing Journal, 43, 1: 72-95

Brooks, W., Kaimal, G., Savage, L.*, & Gonzaga, A. (2012). Inspiring academically talented high school students to consider teaching in urban schools. Urban Review, 44, 4: 423-440.

Kaimal, G. & Beardslee, W.R. (2010). Emerging Adulthood and the perceptions of parental depression. Qualitative Health Research, 20, 9, 1213-1229.

Kaimal, G., Steinberg, A.G., Ennis, S., Moyer-Harasink, S, Ewing, R., Li, Y. (2007) Parental narratives about genetic testing for hearing loss: a one-year follow up study. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 16, 6, 775-787.

Steinberg, A., Kaimal, G., Bain, L., Krantz, I. & Li, Y. (2007). Parental narratives on genetic testing for children with hearing loss: a qualitative inquiry. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 143A, 14, 1533-1545.

Steinberg, A., Kaimal, G. Ewing, R.*, Soslow, L., Lewis, K., Krantz, I. & Li, Y. (2007). Parental narratives on genetic testing for hearing loss: Implications for audiologists working with children with hearing loss and their families. The American Journal of Audiology,16, 1-11.

Li, Y., Steinberg, A., Bain, L., Yaeger, D., Bieler, A.*, Ewing, R.*, Kaimal, G., &, Krantz, I. (2007). Assessing parental attitudes towards genetic testing for hearing loss: before and after genetic consultation. American Journal of Medical Genetics,143A, 14, 1546-1553.

Kaimal, G., & Gerber, N. (2007). Impressions over time: Community progressive murals in an outpatient HIV/AIDS clinic. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 34, 2, 151-162.

Kaimal, G. (2007). Emerging adulthood and the perception of parental depression. (Doctoral Dissertation, Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Human Development and Psychology program)

Kaimal, G. (Spring 2003). Docile wives and duty-bound husbands: myth and gender roles in the Ramayana. South Asian Journal, 1,1, 10-16.

Kaimal, G. (2001). The role of individual art therapy in reducing disruptive behavior in a young adolescent male: a single case experimental study (Masters thesis, MCP Hahnemann University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy Program).

Manuscripts in development

(* student co-author)

Scotti, V.,* DiMaria-Ghalili, R., & Kaimal, G. (in preparation). The meaning of food in an older woman's life.

Kaimal, G., Ayaz, H., Dietrich-Hartwell, R., Kaiser, D., Herres, J., Makwana, B.*, &, Nasser, J.A., (under review). Drawing and brain activation: outcomes of doodling, coloring and free drawing as measured by fNIRS.

Jones, J.P., Walker, M.S., Drass, J.M.*, & Kaimal, G.(in preparation). Short and long term art therapy for active duty military service members with PTSD and TBI.

Kaimal, G., Walker, M.S., &, Dieterich-Hartwell, R.* (in preparation). Using LIWC analysis of clinical notes to assess changes over time for Active Duty Military service members with PTSD and TBI.

Landless, B.M.*, Walker, M.S., & Kaimal, G. (manuscript in preparation). Expressive writing: comparison of themes in the artwork of military service members with PTSD and TBI examined using human analysis and computer based analysis.

Kaimal, G., & Muniz, J.F. (in preparation). Correlations between cortisol, oxytocin, and alpha-amylase before and after artmaking.

Kaimal, G. Walker, M.S., Herres, J., & Degraba, T.J .(in preparation). Correlations between clinical data and Active Duty Military service members' visual representations of PTSD and TBI.

Invited Article

Kaimal, G., Miller, G., Rattigan, M.D., & Haddy, J.*(2016). Implications of national trends in digital media use for art therapy practice. Journal of Clinical Art Therapy. 3,1.

Kaimal, G. (2008). Alana's advice: Where there is a clique you got to think quick. [Review of the book by A.S. Bender]. Educational Review.

Kaimal, G. (2002). Sound bytes from the field: Community Problem Solving and the Internet. Project on community building headed by Dr. X.D. Briggs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Kaimal, G. (2003). Gen X meets Gen-Y: Youth perceptions and concerns about the future. Foresight and Governance Project, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Book chapters (research, poetry and creative writing)

Kaimal, G. (in press). Brain on art therapy. In J.M. Contreras-Vidal and Azorin, J.(Eds.), Mobile Brain-body Imaging and the neuroscience of art, innovation and creativity. New York, NY: Springer

Kaimal, G. (2019). Researching outcome of art therapy for caregivers at end-of-life. In M.J.M. Wood and R. Jacobson (Eds.), Routledge handbook of Art therapy in palliative and bereavement care. New York, NY: Routledge

Kaimal, G. (2017). The road ahead: Preparing for the future of art therapy research. In R. Carolan and A. Backos, (Eds.) Emerging perspectives in art therapy: Trends, Movements and Developments (pp. 58-74), New York, NY: Routledge

Kaimal, G. (2014). Motherhood mechanized. In R. Badruddoja (Ed.), X does not mark my spot: Voices from the South Asian Diaspora. New Delhi: Zubaan.

Kaimal, G. (2014). What is your name? In R. Badruddoja (Ed.), X does not mark my spot: Voices from the South Asian Diaspora. New Delhi: Zubaan.

Kaimal, G. & Nayar, N. (2003). The myth of wild oats. In Azmina Ladha (Ed.), Re-righting reality: Young women on their search for self. Center for Research on violence against women and children (pp. 57-63). Vancouver, Canada: Simon Fraser University Press.

Technical Reports and Blog posts

(*student co-author)

Dieterich-Hartwell, R.M.,* & Kaimal, G.(2018). Evaluation of the Innovating graduate STEM education program through body-centered partnership (NSF NRT-IGE): Report prepared for National Science Foundation through a subcontract from Temple University. Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University.

Jones, J.P., Gonzaga, A. & Landless, B.M.* & Kaimal, G.(2015). Evaluation of the Art therapy at Fort Belvoir Intrepid Spirit One. Report prepared for the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the National Endowment for the Arts. Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University.

Kaimal, G., & Gonzaga, A. (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011). Evaluation of the Allentown principal leadership initiative (APLI). Report prepared for the Center for Developing Urban Educational Leaders (CDUEL), Lehigh University. Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University.

Cubit, B., Sacks, F.,Kaimal, G., & Song, C. (2015). Diversity in the school district. Report prepared for the Upper Dublin School District. Upper Dublin township, PA: Educational Advisory Committee of the Upper Dublin School District.

Kaimal, G. (2015, July13th). How my artistic practice informs my evaluation practice.

Kaimal, G., & Junkin, J. (2015). Evaluation of the Art of Growing Leaders (AGL). Report prepared for ArtWell, Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University, Temple University.

Kaimal, G., Gonzaga, A., & Saenz, L. (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009). Evaluation of the Philadelphia high school leadership project (PHSLP). Report prepared for the School District of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA: Institute for Schools and Society, Temple University.

Kaimal, G., Jordan, W., Gonzaga, A., & Royal, C.* (2011, 2010, 2009, 2008). Evaluation of the Promoting excellence in Philadelphia schools (PEPS). Report prepared for the School District of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA: Institute for Schools and Society, Temple University.

Kaimal, G., Brooks, W., Gonzaga, A., & Savage, L. (2008). Pennsylvania Governor's school for urban teaching (PGSUT): Pilot year evaluation report. Philadelphia, PA: College of Education, Temple University.

Kaimal, G. (2014). Evaluation of the Beyond Bollywood exhibition. Philadelphia, PA.

Kaimal, G. & Momaya, M. (2012). Evaluation of the Gender Mainstreaming, Learning and Accountability Initiative (GMLAI). Philadelphia, PA.

Kaimal, G. (2014). Evaluation of the Abraham's Path training leaders initiative. Philadelphia, PA

Kaimal, G. (2013, December 27). The Pragmatist's guide to Long Distance Evaluations.

Kaimal, G. (2013). Art Stories. Art therapy blog index.

Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC

Associate Professor, PhD Program in Creative Arts Therapies
Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University

Board of Directors, American Art Therapy Association

Mailing address:

1601 Cherry Street (Three Parkway) 7th floor
Room 7109, Mail stop 7905
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Desk: 267.359.5507
Fax: 267.359.5579

Email: gk27@drexel.edu