Since the beginning of time people have been engaging in art-making and the creative process as a way to communicate and to provide for their needs and wants. From the first cave drawings, to creating clothes, tools, and building their homes, people engage in art-making as a way of life (Junge, 2016). Art holds beauty and function, as well as healing properties.
Art therapy helps people to express and explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences through exploration of the creative process and symbolism in the artwork itself, along with the therapeutic relationship. People are able to gain awareness and insight, which helps promote social, physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual growth. Art therapy provides a way for children and adult survivors who have experienced trauma to cope, to mend, and to transform their trauma. Creating art gives a visual way to track progress and assess the progress that has been made over time.
It is through neuroscience, the study of the brain and its functions, that people are better able to understand the scientific relevance of art therapy. Art therapy not only helps to address emotions but also helps with strengthening the brains connections (Lusebrink, 2004). When people engage in sensory art experiences repeatedly, it can help to form new pathways and strengthen memories (Hass-Cohen & Carr, 2008). Art-making also creates a pleasure response in the brain, which increases dopamine and serotonin levels. Dopamine is one of the brain's neurotransmitters, and it sends a signal of pleasure to the brain. Dopamine helps with attention, learning, memory, emotions, motivation, and regulation of body movements (Hass-Cohen & Carr, 2008). There are many benefits that come from engaging in the art-making and the art therapy experience to repair the effects of early childhood trauma that may have lingering negative affects.
Art therapy offers a variety of ways to approach trauma in a safe and supportive way to aid people through their recovery journeys. For some, art therapy can help with ways to cope with the stress that trauma has brought to their lives. The kinesthetic activity in art-making helps to release tension, promote relaxation, and support stress tolerance (Lusebrink, 1990). Others may use art therapy as a way to process their thoughts and feelings related to their trauma stories. Appleton (2001) explained the value and significance of transforming trauma through art therapy and stated, “Since trauma is stored in memory as imagery, expressive art processes provide an effective method for processing and resolving it” (p. 6). The process of art-making also offers ongoing support throughout one’s life.
Children may experience trauma before or during the development of verbal language and art helps to connect to those early emotions that were not previously able to be expressed verbally (Lusebrink & Hinz, 2016). Through sensory engagement early emotions are able to surface. The art-making process ignites the sensory experience and helps connect to emotions allowing them to surface and be addressed. The actions and behaviors that are found in creating art, resembles the actions and behaviors that are also seen in play. It is through these actions and behaviors that people are able to make connections between their inner and outer worlds. Whether what is held within is negative or positive, the art that people create is connected to a deeper personal meaning that reflects the relationships and stories that people hold.
