“Blending the Colors: A DID Client’s Journey from Fragmentation to Integration Using Art Therapy”
Clinicians are learning that the Expressive Arts are highly effective modalities in their work with DID clients as they lend a “voice’ for the dissociated parts. Art allows nonverbal parts to communicate safely in therapy. This workshop will follow the 8 year therapeutic journey of a dissociative client: a survivor of childhood molestation and poverty. We will explore the ways in which this client effectively utilized Art Therapy and creative writing to express and process the dissociative impact of her abusive past. Her recovery process is revealed in examples of her artwork chosen from the various stages of her trauma- focused treatment: from assessment through therapy to termination. The diverse art therapy interventions utilized throughout her therapy will be displayed and demonstrated including: safe place; grounding; containment; journaling; mapping; collage; affect identification and regulation; somatization; creative problem solving; and empathy. Several art technique experientials will be taught in a “hands-on” manner. Participants will be inspired by this engaging client’s creativity, insight, use of metaphor and remarkable resiliency.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the dissociative continiuum and define types of dissociation.
- Identify stages of DID treatment by observing the tangible imagery of client’s artwork.
- Identify and utilize several art interventions appropriate for each stage of treatment
- Address the use of metaphors, art process and product, art media and mindfulness in art approaches.
- Discuss the ethical use of art as a modality for the non art therapist clinician.
View our calendar and register for classes by clicking here.
