Three art therapists have collaborated to produce this unique workbook. Designed especially for trauma survivors, Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art introduces inventive ways to understand, manage, and transform the aftereffects of trauma. This dynamic workbook consists of carefully structured step-by-step art projects, augmented by tearout images, and writing experiences. The book’s first section, Developing Basic Tools For Managing Stress, is devoted to establishing a safe framework for trauma resolution. The second section, Acknowledging and Regulating Your Emotions, helps the trauma survivor to make sense of overwhelming emotional experiences. The final section, Being and Functioning in the World, focuses on self and relational development, leading into the future. Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art will inspire survivors to explore the aftermath of traumatic stress as it affects self-image, relationships with others, and functioning in the world. The 26 projects in this book encourage creative growth and help to establish a sense of personal safety, while exploring and honoring feelings of anger, fear, shame, and sadness. The art experiences are broad enough to be of value to survivors of a wide variety of traumatic experiences, ranging from childhood abuse to accidents to disabling mental illness. This workbook offers an opportunity to everyone, regardless of previous experience or artistic talent, to manage symptoms of traumatic stress in a creative, life-affirming way. Reviews and Endorsements: This workbook is a valuable, practical, and above all useful contribution to the abuse recovery field. Through a series of artwork exercises, survivors of trauma are offered an opportunity to enhance present-day mastery in a grounded, creative, and gentle way. The more I read, the more excited I got about being able to recommend this fine workbook to clients and workshop participants. -Nancy J. Napier, M.F.C.C., author of Recreating Your Self: Help for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families and Getting Through The Day: Help for Adults Hurt as Children “This beautifully written guidebook for victims of trauma is a remarkable achievement in the effort to empower the survivor….and the authors are exquisitely sensitive to the needs of their audience for safety and structure. This will be useful to survivors, therapists, and counselors in all areas of traumatic stress.” -David Read Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Outpatient Services, National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT “I am wildly enthusiastic about this book. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen for survivors….It provides survivors with a realistic and hopeful process, utilizing art, that guides them from honoring the past to releasing emotions safely to building an array of healthy coping strategies to a sense of empowerment and hope.” -Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Director, Center for Advanced Clinical Development, Springfield, VA “The authors convincingly demonstrate that art making and writing can be an essential part of the process of healing from severe trauma in one’s life….This is a valuable resource.” -Cathy A. Malchiodi, M.A., A.T.R., L.A.T., L.P.C.C., Director, Institute for the Arts and Health and Editor,Art Therapy “This wonderful workbook offers trauma survivors an intelligent, safe, and enjoyable way to bring artwork into their personal healing process. I highly recommend it.” -Margot Silk Forrest, editor, The Healing Woman
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