PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE WORK WITH TRAUMA IN THE METHOD OF ART THERAPY

Abstract

This article discusses the causes and manifestations of trauma, as well as the methods of art therapy that can be used by an art therapist in the course of working with a client's traumatic experience. Thus, from a psychological point of view, trauma is the result of an insurmountable threat to the individual, which triggers the ‘fight/flight/freeze’ stress response. If a person is overwhelmed by a threat, they may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which their body gets stuck in a stress response and continues to behave as if it were fighting an enemy.Trauma can be caused by neglect and violence - emotional, physical or sexual. Observing domestic violence or traumatic events such as accidents, trauma or war are also known causes. Evidence suggests that people with adverse childhood experiences are more likely to experience PTSD than those who had secure attachment to caregivers as children. Symptoms of trauma include re-experiencing events in flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of situations that may trigger traumatic memories, depression, anxiety, disconnection (dissociation) and low self-esteem.The injury can manifest itself in the form of sleep disturbances, panic attacks, nervousness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, intense emotions or withdrawal. Some people express their grief through physical ailments or pain (somatisation). Traumatised people may demonstrate an inability to regulate their emotions, becoming angry or upset very quickly. When a person experiences a traumatic event, the part of the brain responsible for language (Broca's area) shuts down. At the same time, the danger recognition centre in the brain (the amygdala) is on high alert and registers the traumatic memory visually and in the form of bodily sensations [6]. Using art to express emotions opens up access to visual and bodily memory. Not only does it allow people to create images, but through artistic materials such as paints and clay, it reconnects them with their physical senses. They can lose touch with their bodily sensations, especially in situations of sexual and physical violence. Some researchers have suggested that the senses of touch and sight are directly linked to the fear centre in our brains [5], making art therapy ideal for working with traumatic memory.The therapeutic relationship helps trauma victims feel safe and rooted in the present moment. This is necessary before any traumatic memory is accessed, so that they feel safe in the knowledge that the trauma has passed and that they are in the ‘here and now’ in the therapy room. This can prevent them from feeling overwhelmed while processing the traumatic memory.The traumatic memory is stored visually and that is why the connecting to it through art can be more direct. It allows the trauma survivor to choose what they create, and they release aspects of the trauma, which prevents them from being overwhelmed. For children, it can be a useful tool, as adults may have told them not to ‘talk’ about negative experiences such as abuse or neglect. Art allows for non- verbal storytelling, which helps them feel more safe and more likely to share their experiences. They may also not have the vocabulary, so an image helps them about their feeling.