Art Therapy for PTSD

When it comes to trauma, there are different outlets that help with the recovery process. One way of processing is through expressing and finding peace. Art therapy offers a unique and powerful avenue for self-discovery and healing by providing an innovative approach to mental health and emotional well-being. According to the American Art Therapy Association, “Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active artmaking, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” (2017). There are many creative means to art therapy such as, “drawing, painting, coloring, collage, and sculpture” (Fabian, 2019). For individuals who live with PTSD, art therapy can help enhance emotional expression by having a safe outlet when it is difficult for them to verbalize their feelings.

Art therapy is usually led by licensed art therapists who help guide those who have had traumatic events, such as those with PTSD, through the creative process. During the sessions, the therapists use different exercises that allow free expression of the individual’s goals and needs. The clients are encouraged to discover their feelings and experiences through their specified art medium. With the therapists ongoing support and comprehension, they help the client expand a deeper perception of their inner selves (Fabian, 2019). According to Van der Kolk, “there are thousands of arts, music, and dance therapists who do beautiful work with abused children, soldiers suffering from PTSD, incest victims, refugees, and torture survivors, and numerous accounts attest to the effectiveness of expressive therapies (p. 260, 2014). Through art therapy, therapists “enable clients to grow on a personal level through the use of artistic materials in a safe and convenient environment” (Hu et al, 2021).

This form of therapy offers a beneficial and balancing approach to managing PTSD. By opening the power of creativity, individuals can find new ways to process their trauma, gain insight, and move toward healing and recovery. Art therapy helps with reducing anxiety and stress by having a calming and meditating aspect which allows the clients to feel comfortable. The art creates a deeper understating of their feelings and heal from the traumatic experience which creates a sense of control and resilience.  By working with a therapist who is trained and certified, this can help build a therapeutic relationship with the client which would allow them to participate and be more open with their experiences (Good Therapy, 2024).

Bedi, S. (2017, September 18). My experience with art therapy!. Medium. https://medium.com/@saniyabedi05/my-experience-with-art-therapy-2124afc9f2f7

Fabian, R. (2019, August 13). How art therapy can heal PTSD. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/art-therapy-for-ptsd#PTSD,-the-body,-and-art-therapy

Hu, J., Zhang, J., Hu, L., Yu, H., & Xu, J. (2021). Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 686005. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.686005

A therapist explains why we shut down when flooded with big emotions. UnityPoint Health. (2024). https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/a-therapist-explains-why-we-shut-down-when-flooded-with-big-emotions#:~:text=Risk%20of%20Addiction%2C%20Self%2DHarm,negatively%20impact%20a%20person’s%20health.

Van der Kolk, B. (2014). Language: Miracle and Tyranny. In The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (pp. 248-266). essay, Penguin Books.

What is art therapy?. American Art Therapy Association. (2024, January 17). https://arttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy/

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