How can Art Therapy help Victims and Survivors?

TM Duffy – CVS Forum Member

Reliving trauma can be especially difficult, particularly if you have flashbacks and nightmares or you may have PTSD symptoms. Art therapy can help individuals find coping strategies and an internal strength to begin their healing process without having to relive experiences. Individuals can draw on memories through art by using a sculpture or drawing to convey how they are feeling instead of speaking out loud. This can be especially good for those who struggle to talk about how they feel, or who aren’t quite sure how to express what they are going through.

Art therapy can also help people feeling hypervigilant or panicked, and can provide an outlet to convey what this feels like and where it stems from. In some cases, even they aren’t entirely sure what is at the root of it all, and through art therapy, this can be explored to present answers as well as healing. It is a powerful way to safely explore trauma and the experiences surrounding it. It provides visibility to suffering, which can also be used to chart a timeline for the PTSD sufferer to see how their feelings are changing and evolving. Although true ‘art therapy’ should be undertaken with a trained art therapist – there is also  nothing to stop you making art at home. At the same time, if you decide to “go solo” keep in mind any needs you might have such as “talking therapies” in order to minimise the risks of re-traumatisation.

There are many art therapy programmes available but to find a local practitioner to you, you can visit the  Association for Art Therapists website here: https://www.baat.org/About-BAAT/Find-an-Art-Therapist. Please remember, these aren’t meant to be medical recommendations, but they’re tactics that have worked for others and might work for you, too. Be sure to work with a professional to find the best methods for you.

Sources

Melissa S. Walker et al., Art therapy for PTSD, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Volume 49, 2016, Pages 10-18, ISSN 0197-4556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2016.05.015.

David Spiegel  et al., Art Therapy for Combat-Related PTSD: Recommendations for Research and Practice, Art Therapy, 23:4, 157-164, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2006.10129335

Francie Lyshak-Stelzeret al., Art Therapy for Adolescents with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Pilot Study, Art Therapy, 24:4, 163-169, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2007.10129474

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