Using Creative Arts Therapies to Work with Trauma Developed from Experiences of Domestic Abuse

Omylinska-Thurston, Joanna; Gardner, Leigh

Abstract

The chapter will introduce creative arts therapies as a way of working with complex trauma developed from experiences of domestic abuse. Ethical considerations when using creative methods when working with trauma will be highlighted. The chapter will follow Herman's stages of working with trauma (1992), linking with Roddy's (2014) counselling and psychotherapy model for domestic abuse counselling. Creative approaches can be helpful in all stages of therapy with trauma including building safety and trust in relationship, learning self-regulation skills, processing of traumatic experiences and integration which will be discussed in detail. Practical examples of using creative approaches, such as sandtray work, drawing, and movement will be introduced. The chapter will highlight the need for building an evidence base for creative therapies in this field and introduce a new structured model for using creative approaches called Arts for the Blues for Trauma.

Citation

Omylinska-Thurston, J., & Gardner, L. (2023). Using Creative Arts Therapies to Work with Trauma Developed from Experiences of Domestic Abuse. In Working with Client Experiences of Domestic Abuse. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003253266-13

• Publication Date: May 11, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 26, 2023
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Book Title: Working with Client Experiences of Domestic Abuse
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003253266-13