The experience of trauma is unique to each individual and there are myriads of way to express and give an image to a traumatic experience. Often times, the use of colors (intense vs pale colors) and the use of line (harsh pointy lines vs circular smooth lines) appear in the clients’ artwork. The use of fluid vs solid materials may also impact the individual’s art post trauma. While the experience of art therapy is unique to each individual, a recent research that studied the impact of trauma informed art and play therapy for children and mothers in domestic violence shelters (in US and South Africa) confirmed that participants seemed to be able to practice new ways of connecting to self and others, re-evaluate their believes about themselves (and others), review their abilities and challenging their negative thoughts. Interestingly, children in this pilot study all wanted to show their images (recreation of their difficult memories) with their mothers.
In conclusion, the reason that we believe that are therapy is good for trauma is that in an art therapy session for trauma, accessing non-verbal memories, illustrating the hidden memories in an explicit way, and positive effects of sensory and bi-lateral movement help improve the symptoms of trauma. The art therapist helps create a dialogue between the client and the created images and hence, plays an import role in healing from trauma.