After going through a traumatic event, it can be difficult to talk about it. Going through it once was more than enough, and you don’t want to keep reliving it repeatedly by talking about what you went through.
Unfortunately, not talking about it or dismissing those thoughts and feelings can lead to worsening signs and symptoms. It’s important to process these painful memories so that you can overcome them.
The good news is that not all forms of therapy involve talking to a therapist. Art therapy is a great option if you’re not interested in jumping right into a one-on-one session with a therapist and speaking about every single detail.
Let’s learn more about how art can help promote healing. Here are some creative methods for processing trauma.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a technique that therapists use to help individuals express, understand, and resolve their internal thoughts and feelings. This form of therapy allows individuals to explore their emotions and understand specific areas of their lives that may be causing them feelings of stress.
Benefits of Art Therapy
Traditional forms of therapy that involve talking about a traumatic event can be difficult for some individuals. Art therapy can be a beneficial form of therapy for individuals who have experienced trauma, especially children or those who have gone through repeated trauma. Here are some of the benefits of art therapy:
- Encourages expressing emotions
- Helps ease pain
- Improves self-awareness and self-esteem
- Reduces anxiety or stress
Creative Methods for Processing Trauma
Art therapy can be used in a variety of different ways to support one’s overall mental health and wellness. Let’s learn about some of the different creative methods that can assist in processing trauma.
Coloring, Drawing, or Painting
The use of acrylics, chalk, colored pencils, crayons, markers, pastels, watercolors, and more can be a great way for someone to express their current mood or emotions. Coloring, drawing, or painting can help aid individuals’ ability to express themselves when it may be difficult to put into words.
Dance
Similar to how exercise can be beneficial for one’s physical and mental health, movement like dancing can be a powerful tool for self-expression. Dancing is one of the many different ways that someone can move their body to relieve stress and help to regulate their emotions.
Journaling
Journaling is often a recommended coping mechanism to help relieve anxiety or stress. It’s also a powerful tool to look back on when you’re in a better mental state to help you determine any potential triggers or try to understand which coping mechanisms worked or didn’t work for you. Writing as a form of art therapy can involve words, sketches, drawings, or photo collages.
Photography
Photography can be a great way to help individuals focus on what they love about themselves and their lives instead of fixating on the negative areas. Capturing photos can help showcase what someone loves and appreciates about their current environment.
Sculpting
Sculpting is another great form of art therapy. Since clay is moldable, an individual can work the clay with their hands to show how they feel about themselves and others. The act of stretching, forming, shaping, and flattening the clay can be very therapeutic for expressing emotions.
Next Steps
Not all forms of therapy involve having to talk about every single detail of what happened to you. Art therapy can be a great option for you to help you work through these negative thoughts and emotions without bringing on added stress and anxiety by having to relieve the painful memories. The first step is reaching out for additional support. Reach out to us today if you’re interested in learning more about art or trauma therapy.
