About Theresa

Dr. Theresa Van Lith is an Associate Professor and Course Coordinator of Art Therapy at La Trobe University, she combines her clinical experience with innovative research to advance the field of art therapy. Her work explores mindfulness-based interventions, mental health recovery, and resilience-building through creative processes, with a focus on developing strategic and evidence-based approaches. She contributes to the profession through editorial roles, international collaborations, and innovative studies. Dr. Van Lith’s passion for bridging science and creativity has led to impactful contributions in both academic and therapeutic communities.

Publications

• Griffin, C., Hugrass, L., & Van Lith, T. (2024). Understanding art therapy graduate employability: A mixed methods study. Advancing Scholarship and Research in Higher Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.59197/asrhe.v5i1.10211

• Sheridan, R. & Van Lith, T. (2024). Exploring the impact of metaphors on resilience in art therapy using mixed methods. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2024.2388198

• Van Lith, T. (2024). Art therapy and climate action. Art Therapy, 41(3). 116-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2024.2394367

• Van Lith, T., & Geldenhuys, A. (2024). Qualifying public perceptions of art therapy: A mixed methods study of community discussion forums. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 102186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2024.102186

• Arjona, H., & Van Lith, T. (2024). Transformative connections: Exploring relational art therapy in a women’s prison. Art Therapy, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2024.2354630

• Van Lith, T., & Ettenberger, M. (2023). Arts-based therapies, practices, and interventions in health. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23(1), 351.

•  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04177-4

• Van Lith, T., Gerber, N., & Centracchio, M. (2023). Preliminary modelling for strategic planning in art therapy research: A multi-phase sequential mixed methods study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2023.102055

• Gerber, N., Van Lith, T., & Centracchio, M. (2023). Creating an art therapy research strategic plan: A community participatory approach. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2023.102061

• Cheshure, A., Stanwood, G. D., Van Lith, T., & Pickett, S. M. (2023). Distinguishing difference through determining the mechanistic properties of mindfulness-based art therapy. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences., 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2023.100106

• Cheshure, A. & Van Lith, T. (2022). A Qualitative inquiry comparing mindfulness-based art therapy, mindfulness and neutral clay tasks as a proactive mental health solution for college students. Journal of American College Health. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2155462

• Van Lith T, Beerse M, Smalley Q. (2022). A qualitative inquiry comparing mindfulness-based art therapy versus neutral clay tasks as a proactive mental health solution for college students. J Am Coll Health. 2022 Aug-Sep;70(6):1889-1897. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1841211. Epub 2020 Nov 30. PMID: 33253065.

• Van Lith, T. & Bulason, J. (2022) Creating our own suspension bridge between practice and evidence. Art Therapy, 39(3), 119-120.

• Van Lith, T., Cheshure, A., Pickett, S. M., Stanwood, G. D., & Beerse, M. (2021). Mindfulness based Art therapy study protocol to determine efficacy in reducing college stress and anxiety. BMC psychology, 9(1), 1-8. 

• Van Lith, T., Quintero, A., Johns, S., & Grzywacz, J. G. (2021). Promoting kindergarten readiness using early intervention Art therapy with Latinx farmworker children. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 73, 101753. 

• Beerse, M., Van Lith, T., & Stanwood, G. (2020). Therapeutic psychological and biological responses to mindfulness-based art therapy. Stress & Health, Feb 2020, 1-14. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2937 doi:10.1002/smi.2937

• Van Lith, T. (Guest Editor) (2020) Fostering client voice and choice through art therapy. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 37(4), 167-168.  

• doi: 10.1080/07421656.2020.1847577

• Van Lith, T., & Beerse, M. (2019). An examination of contemporary and promising research strategies in art therapy. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 36(3), 141-148. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2019.1645499

• Beerse, M., Van Lith, T., Pickett, S., & Stanwood, G. (2019). Biobehavioral utility of mindfulness-based art therapy: Neurobiological underpinnings and mental health impacts. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 245(2), 122-130. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370219883634

• Van Lith, T., & Bullock, L. (2019). Do art therapists use vernacular? How art therapists’ communicate their scope of practice. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 35(3), 1-9. doi:10.1080/07421656.2018.1540961

• Beerse, M., Van Lith, T., & Stanwood, G. (2019). Is there a biofeedback response to art therapy? A technology-assisted approach for reducing anxiety and stress in college students. SAGE Open, 9(2), 1-12. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019854646