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Art Therapy Changes Lives of Abused Children
**The following press release was originally written by Cathy Malchiodi, ATR-BC, Professional Relations for American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Art Therapy Program Heals Hearts and Empowers Young Survivors
Child abuse is widely recognized as a serious problem, not only because it results in long-term trauma reactions, but also because it involves an abuse of power by adults over children in their care. Violence and assault to children results in attachment, mood, and behavioral disorders as well as acute or posttraumatic stress disorders, among other problems. Art therapy, a form of intervention thought to be effective in the treatment of trauma disorders, is being increasingly used to address child abuse and is often a primary form of therapy with children who are recovering from physical or sexual assault, verbal abuse, and neglect. For more than three decades, art therapy has been documented as an important method in addressing the emotional pain of young survivors of violence.
Tamara Herl, ATR-BC, an art therapist who works in Kansas, is working to help abused children find recovery and hope through art therapy. She recently initiated a program at the Heart-to-Heart Child Advocacy Center with children. Herl says, “I think the greatest value of art therapy with children who have been abused or neglected is that it provides an opportunity to give voice to their pain. The images they create provide tangible proof of progress that has been made and this can be especially helpful on days when children feel discouraged about their progress. Visual art seems to come readily to many children and adults who have been abused or neglected.”
Marlene Beeson, director of Heart-to-Heart, affirms the importance of art therapy with children who have been abused, saying, “The art offers a child something to ‘do’ besides talking. Children may resist a verbal approach to therapy. One of the reasons for this is that small children simply may not have the language skills to tell what happened to them. Older children may distrust verbal communication because their abuser probably lied to them and threatened them. To add to this insult, other adults may not believe them.”
A new monograph on art therapy and traumatized children will be available from AATA in June 2008. For information about art therapy, please visit the AATA website at www.arttherapy.org or Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association at www.arttherapyjournal.org. The American Art Therapy Association, Inc., was founded in 1969 and develops and promotes educational, professional, and ethical standards for the practice of art therapy. The AATA provides information to its members and the public regarding the field of art therapy through publications, a scholarly journal, and an annual conference.
Related articles:
- How Art Therapy for Children Can Help
- Art Therapy Benefits for Sexually Abused Adults
- Fundraiser Raises Awareness of Art Therapy & Children With Cancer
6 Responses to “Art Therapy Changes Lives of Abused Children”
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while i was surfing this websight it all the sundun dawned on me that i have been struggling with not sure what it hink it might be a cry wall i have been depressed not wanting to talk toanyone just keep to myself then a day or 2 ago before i went to bed i was coloring in my favorite coloring book speed racer…. today i feel better i thionk one of the keys to getting out of my depression mode is art coloring just because i can i am a lot happier now i noticed a difference when i woke up for work.
thanxz for having this websight
Dear Cathy,
As I came across your article it seemed like an incredible connection was made. I’m an illustration student in my junior year at Moore College of Art and Design. For my post bachelors I’m going to pursue a career in art therapy.
My focus is to work with children who suffered childhood abuse. I’ve always found a great affinity toward children who are seen as dysfunctional.
Currently I’m working on a proposal for a Fellowship at Moore in which I’m researching combinations between illustration and art therapy.
I would highly appreciate any possible volunteer work or any contacts that you may suggest.
Thank you for the article!
Thankk’youu!
this is what i want to do as a career. If any one has any information please email it to me. at trevor_williams01@yahoo.com
thank you
Terrific article! I think it’s wonderful that this type of therapy is being added to the therapies available to people who’ve had to suffer through abuse. In the novel I’ve just written, there’s a character who is an Art Therapist. She becomes a good friend of my main character, who is a budding artist – and was abused herself.
I am the abused hcild orpahned at birth belonging to quizzillionaires AND the rich well I cam out of the rich but belong to the quizzilionaires I believe I was abused from birth to today’s date without any assistance