In order to understand and work with trauma, therapists have used art as a means to help survivors in their healing and recovery process. Creating art is a therapeutic means of working with survivors. Trauma takes many forms and art can be used with children and adults, crossing lines of gender, race, color, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, etc. Where words can’t always be said, works of art can tell the stories.
definite trauma
Trauma is experienced by children and adults through isolated incidents and/or as a result of prolonged experiences. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) defines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder according to criteria that include being exposed to a traumatic event or events involving actual or threatened death or serious injury. The experience is relived through memories, dreams, flashbacks, illusions, and hallucinations. You avoid a stimulus associated with the traumatic event or events and you want to numb the feelings, thoughts, and emotions related to the experience. There is increased arousal that can manifest itself through, among others, sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, and inability to concentrate. According to the DSM-IV, trauma can manifest itself in many ways that often go unnoticed.
Trauma and Art
It is believed that when working with trauma, art can bring structure, solidity and cohesion to the client’s reality. Many layers can be explored through the use of art, and using this modality can help create a safe distance between the customer’s experience and their emotions. Creating art is also found to help survivors discuss their experiences with their therapists, thus creating an opportunity for the healing process.
art and the unconscious
Art is not only a way to discover the unconscious, but also provides an opportunity to express faith and hope in difficult times. In this sense, art plays many roles beyond telling traumatic stories. Therefore, art has the potential to be therapeutic on many levels. The distance created by the artwork between the person and the actual event facilitates the recovery process. Art provides space, distance, and the ability for different aspects of ourselves to reorganize and heal. The therapeutic opportunities when using art are abundant on a conscious and unconscious level.
The artist interprets the work of art
It must be recognized that the interpretation of works of art produced by child and adult trauma survivors must be restricted. The therapist’s interpretations of his clients’ work can be detrimental and the artist should be seen as the authority on his artwork. Many times art can reveal information that the client is not ready to bring to consciousness or to be verbalized, so it is essential that the art therapist remain curious in their questioning of the created art and refrain from interpreting. The therapist must accompany the client in his process and movement towards health.
Art and Healing
Art has the potential to be extremely therapeutic and healing for trauma survivors. The process can paint a picture of events that are wordless or too powerful or overwhelming to express. A traumatic event can be portrayed on canvas or in the form of sculpture, and colors can speak to the emotions, feelings, or thoughts that accompany memories or untold stories. Works of art can even tell a story that can only be told years after they were initially created. On a conscious and unconscious level, art can be incredibly powerful and art therapists can create the container or process support necessary for trauma survivors. In this sense, art can be the therapeutic means to restore psychological and physiological health.
