Arts-Based Research

Program Evaluation & Research 

Dr. Elizabeth Warson has served as the Principal Investigator (PI) on over 50 research studies, collaborating with students, programs, and independent research projects. Her work has spanned a range of fields, employing evidence-based models, mixed-methods designs, and multiple qualitative research paradigms, including post-positivist and postmodern approaches.

Research Expertise

Dr. Warson’s research expertise spans various domains, including but not limited to, trauma-informed care, expressive arts therapies, and health equity. She is committed to advancing knowledge and practice that is both culturally relevant and responsive to the diverse populations she serves.

For more information on funded research projects and program evaluation, please contact Dr. Warson directly.
Contact Dr Warson

Current Projects

○ The Weld Trust

  • Program Evaluation: Equine-Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy at Triple T Haven
  • Program Evaluator: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Funding Cycle: 12/23–1/24
  • Funding: $25,000 (50%)
  • Purpose: To increase access to in-person care for Weld County residents through equine-assisted therapy, while collecting evaluative data on mental health needs and strengths in the community.

Research Collaborations

Through her long-standing collaborative efforts with Native American communities, Dr. Warson has developed deep expertise in culturally responsive practices, particularly community-driven and community-based participatory research (CBPR). These approaches have been central to her work, ensuring that research is not only inclusive but also grounded in the values, experiences, and needs of the communities involved.

○ Horses and Human Research Foundation (Finalist)

  • Project: Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing with Horse Improve Anxiety and Other Whole Person Health Outcomes in Specialized Youth Populations?
  • PI: Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
  • Co-PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, et al.
  • Duration: 12/23–12/25
  • Funding: $75,000 (50%)
  • Purpose: This study compares mounted and unmounted EMDR interventions with traditional EMDR to address anxiety in youth from Indigenous, Hispanic, and autism spectrum disorder populations.

○ Tri-Service Nursing Research Grant

  • PI: Janice Agazio, PhD, CRNP, LTC (Ret.), US Army
  • Consultant: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, et al.
  • Duration: 2/14–5/18
  • Funding: $200,000 (2%)
  • Purpose: This mixed-methods study investigates the experiences of young children (ages 4–10) with parental separation during military deployment.

○ Mayo Clinic Spirit of EAGLES Pilot Community Grant

  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, and Debra Johnson-Fuller
  • Duration: 11/14–12/14
  • Funding: $1,000 (1%)
  • Purpose: To pilot health promotion interventions using digitalized oral stories for the CRCAIH study.

○ Lannan Foundation

  • Project: Lakota Sacred Hoop Run
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, in collaboration with Ricky Gray Grass and Red Nation
  • Duration: 06/2013
  • Funding: $4,000 (5%)
  • Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the 30th annual Sacred Hoop Run for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

○ Open Meadows Foundation

  • Project: Sacred Isnati Awicalowanpi Ceremony
  • Program Director: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC (Fiscal Sponsor: Art Therapy Without Borders, Inc.)
  • Duration: 07/01/13–07/01/14
  • Funding: $2,000 (5%)
  • Purpose: To provide an art therapy component to the Isnati Awicalowanpi (coming-of-age ceremony) for Lakota girls.

○ DARPA SBIR Phase I Subaward (Prime: Kinection)

  • Project: A Warrior’s Story
    PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC (Sub Award)
  • Duration: 01/2012–06/2012
  • Funding: $12,000 (5%)
  • Purpose: Research consultation for the development of a “Warrior Stories Platform”, a web-based digital authoring tool designed for therapeutic use.

○ National Endowment for the Arts

  • Project: Coharie Heritage Empowerment Project
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 06/2010–06/2012
  • Funding: $40,000 (20%)
  • Purpose: To develop a traditional cultural arts program and archival database for the Coharie Tribe.

○ Lannan Foundation

  • Project: Lakota Sacred Hoop Run
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC (In Collaboration with the Oglala Sioux Tribe)
  • Duration: 06/2010–06/2012
  • Funding: $2,000 (2%)
  • Purpose: To support the 29th annual Sacred Hoop Run for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD.

○ University Facilitation Funds (George Washington University)

  • Project: Healing Pathways: Art Therapy and American Indian Medicine
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 07/2010–7/20211
  • Funding: $5,000 (10%)
  • Purpose: To provide a culturally-relevant workshop combining alternative or traditional American holistic practices with complementary forms of therapy, comprising art therapy and storytelling, for the Coharie and Waccamaw Siouan tribes.

○ American Cancer Society (Young Investigator’s Award)

  • Project: Healing Pathways: Art Therapy for American Indian Cancer Survivors
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 11/2009–01/2011
  • Funding: $29,500 (20%)
  • Purpose: To replicate and evaluate a piloted culturally relevant art therapy workshop, focusing on stress reduction for American Indian cancer survivors and their family members.

○ Spirit of EAGLES, Mayo Cancer Clinic

  • Project: Healing Pathways: Art Therapy for American Indian Cancer Survivors
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 08/2009–04/2010
  • Funding: $5,000 (6%)
  • Purpose: To replicate and evaluate a culturally relevant art therapy workshop focusing on stress reduction for American Indian cancer survivors and their family members.

○ EVMS Department of Psychiatry Scholarship

  • Project: Perceptions of Substance Use and Abuse in Southeastern American Indian Youth
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 01/2009–04/2009
  • Funding: $1,300 (1%)
  • Purpose: To evaluate substance use perceptions in southeastern tribal communities through a community art program.

○ Society for the Arts in Healthcare & Johnson & Johnson Foundation

  • Project: Healing Pathways: Art for Survivors
  • PI: Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Duration: 01/2007–12/2007
  • Funding: $10,000 (6%)
  • Purpose: To develop and evaluate an art therapy workshop for cancer survivors.

IRB-Approved Pilot Research (GWU):

○ The Effects of Mandala Imagery on Mood and Cortisol Levels in Adults

  • PI: Elizabeth Warson PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Investigator Team: Cheri Marmarosh, PhD, Loring Ingraham, PhD, Lauren Hayes, MA, Kate Harinton, PsyD(c), Nisha Tracy, MA(c), & Annie Gittess BA(c)
  • Purpose: To examine the effects of coloring a pre-drawn mandala or a maze puzzle on cortisol levels and self-report measures in depressed adult patients.

○ The Effects of Graphic Narrative Trauma Processing in the Treatment of PTSD Symptomatology”

  • PI: Elizabeth Warson PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC
  • Investigator Team: Paula Howie, ATR-BC, LPC, Linda Gantt, PhD, ATR-BC, Lou Tinnen, MD, Heidi Bardot, ATR-BC, Donna Betts, PhD, ATR-BC, Tally Tripp, LICSW, ATR-BC, Lisa Garlock, ATR-BC
  • 10% Purpose: To examine the effects of a 4-week art therapy-based trauma protocol on reducing the symptoms of PTSD as compared to standard treatment of care in art therapy.

Further Research Experience

Dr. Warson has also been involved in NIH applications, with more details available upon request, please contact Dr. Warson directly.
Contact Dr. Warson for NIH appliations