Article – Can Art Really Heal Trauma? | ARTSMH (artsmentalhealth.org)
For some individuals talking therapies might not be efficient in releasing traumatic stress. Traumatized individuals often face an impossibility to speak and find themselves in a state of ‘speechless terror’ when trying to explain traumatic sensations (van der Kolk, 1994). Art therapy differs from other therapy forms due to the incorporation of nonverbal elements – the use of art means including drawing, painting, collage, and sculpting to process traumatic experiences. Therapeutic art interventions provide the possibility to reach, express and later comment on feelings, and memories related to the traumatic event. Art enables the individual to externalize the memories and emotionally disengage from them.