Claire reflects on art therapy, adolescent trauma and emotional dysregulation

I have been asked many times how art therapy is different from art. Though most of us understand art therapy as a form of psychotherapy, most have never seen it in action. Many wonder how art can take the center stage in a therapy session. And how art can contain the intensity of human emotions especially in the context of trauma. 

This is a rare recording of an adolescent client sharing about her art done within art therapy, supported by a registered art therapist. She has been receiving mental health support and spoke about how art therapy was different and unique. Hearing her describe her art and how they helped her to express, regulate and clarify her complex emotions was very insightful. It also brings home how art making within an art therapy context can be transformative and healing. Through art therapy, she found hope again. 

The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) has granted us a privileged access into the inner world of this adolescent and her art making experience while processing trauma. 

I hope this video will help all of understand the power of art in truly expressing and containing our complex thoughts and emotions. 

Han Li June