What is Art Therapy and does it help heal trauma?
Art therapy: quite simply “is not a dusty relic hung in a museum but a living work in progress” Vick
Art therapy is gaining traction as an important resource for healing trauma and whilst this paper concentrates on traumatised youth, the evidence for adults is comparatively similar. My background is in paediatric nursing and therefore I have a strong pull towards helping children. In my opinion, many of us with unhealed childhood wounds are externally projecting our inner child’s unmet needs or traumatic experiences in our everyday relationships, not only with others, but also, with ourselves. So, I think it is important to understand how trauma affects children, then we go some way to understanding the how and why of our adult unhealthy behaviour. Trauma is a complex subject and this paper will provide a snippet of what happens to the body in relation to traumatic events and how a resource such as Art Therapy can help heal those wounds.
Art therapy aims to act as a communication tool for the unconscious, bringing forth fragmented memories, feelings, thoughts, and emotions that are incapable of being verbalised. Wallace (2015) suggests art therapy utilises the individual’s creative aspects to engage with emotional, psychological/or physical issues, providing opportunities to unblock and reform old habits and ideas. Furthermore, the mere act of creating art can bring forth calmness, healing of deep wounds, new perspectives and bringing one into the present, deepening relationship with self that allows for self-growth, awareness, and self-understanding (Wallace, 2015; Edwards, 2014). Edwards (2014) posits the physical permanence of shapes and forms created through art making act as lasting records in which the client can continue to reflect upon, providing emotional growth and a better understanding of one’s experience of the world.
Today, art therapy is utilised with varying approaches and foundational theories and is inextricably linked with the discoveries of neuroscience. Gussak & Rosal (2016) agree that advances in neuroscience help to explain the mind/body connection and allow contemporary art therapists to utilise this knowledge in their interventions with clients. Gussak & Rosal (2016) also suggest that art therapists should have an openness to varied theoretical perspectives, and whilst art is at the heart of art therapy, a deep understanding of human psychology and how it alters in relation to life experiences is imperative (Rubin, 2016). Through the very creation of art making, individuals are able to find and understand the significance of these experiences. Art therapy: quite simply “is not a dusty relic hung in a museum but a living work in progress” (Vick, 2003 pg13).
Trauma is the result from either a singular experience or multiple events that are unbearable, intolerable, and significantly impact an individual’s psychology, emotionally and somatically.
Before there can be exploration into how art therapy may benefit trauma, it is important to define trauma, and the neurobiological and physiological responses. Trauma, especially in regard to youth, is a broad and complex subject, therefore for the purposes of this , it will be described in ways that may provide the reader with a basic understanding of the effects of trauma for children and how such creative therapies as art may be of benefit in helping children heal and experience more wholesome and joyful lives.
What is trauma
The multifarious definitions of trauma make it difficult to provide a succinct clarification on the meaning, however, consensus amongst some authors suggest trauma is the result from either a singular experience or multiple events that are unbearable, intolerable, and significantly impact an individual’s psychology, emotionally and somatically (Malchiodi, 2020; van der Kolk, 2014; Malchiodi & Perry, 2008; Talwar, 2007). Furthermore, trauma is noted to be the consequence of a perceived threat that overwhelms the individual’s internal coping mechanisms, resulting in an inability to respond (Werbalowsky, 2019). The impacts of such events will be determined by the individual’s capacity for resilience and affect regulation (Talwar, 2007). Therefore, it is not necessarily the event or experience itself but rather one’s internalised response to such events that impact the ensuing complex sequelae. Malchiodi & Perry (2008) extend further in suggesting those children who do not have adequate familial and community support and experiencing socioeconomic instability and political upheaval are at higher risk of long-term trauma disorders. Traumatic responses in children are sadly commonplace and may result from events such as but not limited to; divorce, death of a loved one, relocation, foster care, medical illness, bullying, domestic/community violence, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, war, or terrorism (Malchiodi, 2008; van Westerhenen et al, 2017; van der Kolk, 2014). Moreover, instances where a child’s needs are not met, through neglect or abandonment, can also be a trigger for a traumatic experience. Meshcheyakova (2012) extrapolates that trauma originating from the interruption or non-existence of nurturing attachment relationships can result in significant developmental issues with children who experience this type of neglect and abandonment.
It is not necessarily the event or experience itself but rather one’s internalised response to such events that impact the ensuing complex sequelae.
Neurobiology and physiological effects of trauma
Developments of intervention and treatment protocols require a deeper understanding of what occurs in the mind and body as a result of traumatic experiences. Malchiodi (2008) suggests the “compartmentalised, evidence-based practice dominated by reductionist medical models” are doing a dis-service to traumatised children and there is a greater requirement to provide therapeutic experiences that align with the true understanding of the effects of trauma. Childhood in and of itself is a vulnerable period and the economic, creative, and productive costs of childhood trauma are fracturing their ability to live meaningful lives (Malchiodi, 2008). Furthermore, traumatic experiences can have short- or long-term effects on the emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of an individual and can present in unpredictable, pervasive, and multifaceted ways (Malchiodi, 2020; van der Kolk, 2007).
With no access to processing information, explicit memory storage or language, dissociation occurs, and memories become sensory fragments trapped in the body as intense emotional sensations and images
Trauma directly effects the central nervous system, in particular the limbic system whose responsibility is helping us survive (Malchiodi, 2008). The limbic system or emotional brain controls feelings, needs and desire and storage of implicit memory (Malchiodi, 2008). The neocortex is responsible for language, thinking, reasoning and storage of explicit memory. It is understood that during an experience that an individual perceives as threatening, the limbic system goes into disarray, rather than expend the energy created by a hyperarousal (flee or fight) or hypo arousal (freeze, fain) state, it becomes trapped in the nervous system and the neocortex shuts down (Malchiodi, 2008). With no access to processing information, explicit memory storage or language, dissociation occurs, and memories become sensory fragments trapped in the body as intense emotional sensations and images (van der Kolk et al., 1985; Sigal,2021). This storage of illicit memory and failure to integrate these sensory imprints into explicit memory keeps traumatised individuals in an increased hyper-vigilant state (Talwar, 2007). The impact of the inability to make conscious reasoning of such experiences therefore lends itself to the challenges and difficulties traumatised individuals endure. In the case with young people, who may be developmentally disadvantaged in emotional regulation or lack the primary relationships to help achieve regulation, they can lose their sense of control and stability, experience the external world as unsafe and become helpless (van der Kolk, 2005). Sensory responses from smells, sounds, images, touch, or taste can trigger the unconscious traumatic memories and the individual’s nervous system responds into the same heightened physiological arousal as if the original event is happening in the present (Talwar,2007). With an inability to regulate these emotional responses and a development of habitual responses, children may present with but not limited to; outbursts of anger and violence, withdrawal, avoidance, depression, anxiety, attachment issues, distrust of others and self-harming (van der Kolk, 2005; Malchiodi, 2008). Moreover, they may go on to develop a lack of sense of self, inability to modulate affect and impulse control, uncertainties with the predictabilities and reliabilities of others, social isolation, loneliness, problems with future relationships and intimacy, which may all have further implications for criminal and addictive activities, suicide or becoming the perpetrators of abuse themselves (van der Kolk, 2005; van Westrhenen et al, 2017).
Benefits & goals of Art therapy for traumatised youth
Art therapy strengthens healthy coping skills and resilience, especially in situations where verbal psychotherapy has failed.
Understanding how the body reacts to traumatic experiences, the implicit storage of memory, trapped emotions and how art therapy is evidenced to give rise to the unconscious, it clearly makes sense that art therapy as a somatic intervention to healing trauma is a vital and much needed resource. Van Westrhenen et al (2017) & Talwar (2007) concur, that while establishing protocols for treating traumatised children is arduous, there remains evidence that art therapy strengthens healthy coping skills and resilience, especially in situations where verbal psychotherapy has failed.
Through the utilisation of ‘art in therapy’, clients are encouraged to describe their artwork, telling of their story, associating meaning with their experiences, thus integrating implicit and explicit memory, verbal, and nonverbal processes
Art therapy has been shown to support the connections between body- mind and creativity, help reduce the acute stress responses in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Talwar, 2007). Talwar (2007) and van Westrhenen et al., (2017) also reiterate art therapy’s achievements in tapping into the nonverbal domain of imagery, overcoming language barriers and the possibility of integrating implicit and explicit memory to resolve re-experiencing of memory. Through the utilisation of ‘art in therapy’, clients are encouraged to describe their artwork, telling of their story, associating meaning with their experiences, thus integrating implicit and explicit memory, verbal, and nonverbal processes (Talwar,2007). Van Westrhenen et al., (2017) propose the use of art therapy in providing a safe space to stimulate the sensory and cognitive processing of traumatic memories with a goal to enhance the psychological wellbeing of the individual and the strengthening of positive development. Additionally, drawing and painting can elicit projections of situations or emotions as separate from the person, giving rise to less resistance (van Westrhenen et al, 2017)
Art therapy allows for supporting the re-connection to the body in a safe way, by utilising tasks that engage the child in feeling and naming sensations within their body during and after the process
Malchiodi (2008) augments that drawing can decrease anxiety, increase the reorganisation and retrieval of the trauma narrative. The utilisation of art therapy group work serving as a foundation for regaining trust, building healthy relationships, prosocial behaviour, and connections, and allowing the child to know they are not alone, helps create positive outcomes for traumatised youth (van Westrhenen et al, 2017; DeMott, 2017). Art therapy allows for supporting the re-connection to the body in a safe way, by utilising tasks that engage the child in feeling and naming sensations within their body during and after the process (Sigal, 2021).
In essence, Art Therapy can help heal from traumatic experiences by tapping into the unconscious and bridging the path between implicit and explicit memory, allowing us to make sense of, have compassion for and integrate the fragmented parts of our wholeness.
Want to experience the powerful modality of Art Therapy? Please contact me to book a session.
With love and compassion
Cate x
References
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