Art Therapy as a Supplement to Traditional Trauma Treatment Approaches by Adrienne Naquin-Bolton, LPC, NCC
Traditional treatment options for those with a history of trauma have been centered on talk therapy approaches. We know that by expressing these traumatic experiences within the therapeutic relationship, clients can begin to release the negative grip trauma has had on their lives, which then can promote healing and recovery. Our central role as a therapist is to be present with our clients as they work through this expression and facilitate the healing process.
Neurobiological studies have shown that traumatic experiences affect our neural makeup; therefore, a goal of therapy is to provide clients with experiences that alter and/or augment the affected neurobiological construction (McNamee, 2006). As we already know, our brain’s left hemisphere is associated with language and speech, and the right hemisphere is associated with visual-motor activities. For trauma victims, it is important to also stimulate the right side of the brain as trauma cannot be fully grasped in a purely cognitive manner.
There are certain populations that are unable to benefit from traditional talk therapy approaches due to a limited vocabulary. Children, for example, do not have the words to express their feelings or the events contributing to those feelings. Therefore, we utilize therapeutic approaches that circumvent this barrier, such as play therapy. Play therapy gives children the ability to communicate their presenting problem through the medium of toys. In this regard, play is their language and toys are their words. What about adults who are unable to put their traumatic experiences into words?
Brain imaging research has demonstrated a reduction of activity in the areas of the brain responsible for speech following traumatic experiences and/or the remembering of traumatic experiences. In those moments, traditional talk therapies are not as effective a means of achieving healing on their own. It is in these circumstances that art therapy may prove to be of benefit.
Clients with a history of trauma are often seen as passive and helpless victims. For the post abortive client, the circumstances contributing to the abortion decision often lead to feelings that they had no other choice. Although everyone experiences trauma differently and no two experiences are the same, we are aware of typical responses to trauma. For those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, their experiences can range from avoidance of triggers and emotional numbing to intrusive memories through flashbacks and re-experiencing the event. Our role as therapists is to attend to the client’s suffering as it becomes integrated into their life story.
According to Levine (2009), there are numerous ways to tell stories, and one is through the creative process. Through the artistic process, the client is able to give a physical expression as a means of resolving their trauma and grief. It is also effective because it can provide a pleasurable distraction while simultaneously exposing the client to difficult traumatic content. This traumatic material can then be processed without the negative short-term side effects found within traditional talk therapies.
The art therapy techniques and mediums useful for trauma survivors are numerous and varied and are beyond the scope of this article. There are also differences of opinion whether the art process should be directed or non-directed. Despite these differing viewpoints on the actual practice of art therapy, there is no denying the benefit art can have on clients working through the therapeutic process of resolving trauma. In addition to having a neurological effect on brain chemistry, art therapy enables an alternate expression of inner thoughts and feelings for those unable to construct a coherent trauma narrative. At the very basic level, it is able to lift moods and improve self-esteem by empowering the survivor.
References
Collie, K., Backos, A., Malchiodi, C., & Spiegel, D. (2006). Art therapy for combat related PTSD: Recommendations for research and practice. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23(4), 157-164.
Levine, S. (2009). Trauma, tragedy, therapy: The arts and human suffering. London & Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
McNamee, C. (2006). Experiences with bilateral art: A retrospective study. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23(1), 7-13.
Traditional treatment options for those with a history of trauma have been centered on talk therapy approaches. We know that by expressing these traumatic experiences within the therapeutic relationship, clients can begin to release the negative grip trauma has had on their lives, which then can promote healing and recovery. Our central role as a therapist is to be present with our clients as they work through this expression and facilitate the healing process.
Neurobiological studies have shown that traumatic experiences affect our neural makeup; therefore, a goal of therapy is to provide clients with experiences that alter and/or augment the affected neurobiological construction (McNamee, 2006). As we already know, our brain’s left hemisphere is associated with language and speech, and the right hemisphere is associated with visual-motor activities. For trauma victims, it is important to also stimulate the right side of the brain as trauma cannot be fully grasped in a purely cognitive manner.
There are certain populations that are unable to benefit from traditional talk therapy approaches due to a limited vocabulary. Children, for example, do not have the words to express their feelings or the events contributing to those feelings. Therefore, we utilize therapeutic approaches that circumvent this barrier, such as play therapy. Play therapy gives children the ability to communicate their presenting problem through the medium of toys. In this regard, play is their language and toys are their words. What about adults who are unable to put their traumatic experiences into words?
Brain imaging research has demonstrated a reduction of activity in the areas of the brain responsible for speech following traumatic experiences and/or the remembering of traumatic experiences. In those moments, traditional talk therapies are not as effective a means of achieving healing on their own. It is in these circumstances that art therapy may prove to be of benefit.
Clients with a history of trauma are often seen as passive and helpless victims. For the post abortive client, the circumstances contributing to the abortion decision often lead to feelings that they had no other choice. Although everyone experiences trauma differently and no two experiences are the same, we are aware of typical responses to trauma. For those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, their experiences can range from avoidance of triggers and emotional numbing to intrusive memories through flashbacks and re-experiencing the event. Our role as therapists is to attend to the client’s suffering as it becomes integrated into their life story.
According to Levine (2009), there are numerous ways to tell stories, and one is through the creative process. Through the artistic process, the client is able to give a physical expression as a means of resolving their trauma and grief. It is also effective because it can provide a pleasurable distraction while simultaneously exposing the client to difficult traumatic content. This traumatic material can then be processed without the negative short-term side effects found within traditional talk therapies.
The art therapy techniques and mediums useful for trauma survivors are numerous and varied and are beyond the scope of this article. There are also differences of opinion whether the art process should be directed or non-directed. Despite these differing viewpoints on the actual practice of art therapy, there is no denying the benefit art can have on clients working through the therapeutic process of resolving trauma. In addition to having a neurological effect on brain chemistry, art therapy enables an alternate expression of inner thoughts and feelings for those unable to construct a coherent trauma narrative. At the very basic level, it is able to lift moods and improve self-esteem by empowering the survivor.
References
Collie, K., Backos, A., Malchiodi, C., & Spiegel, D. (2006). Art therapy for combat related PTSD: Recommendations for research and practice. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23(4), 157-164.
Levine, S. (2009). Trauma, tragedy, therapy: The arts and human suffering. London & Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
McNamee, C. (2006). Experiences with bilateral art: A retrospective study. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23(1), 7-13.
