TRIGGER WARNING: this post contains discussions of self-harm and suicide attempts.
A victim (male, mid-thirties) of childhood sexual abuse and his practitioner co-author this account of art psychotherapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) as treatment for complex trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Using a pseudonym to protect his confidentiality, the patient, Rob, provides a detailed account of his former coping strategies; these included a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, unhealthy sexual relationships, and self-harm. It was only after attempt of suicide that Rob sought mental health support.
Over a three-year period, Art Psychotherapist, Nili Sigal, engaged in weekly sessions with Rob. For Rob, artwork is the singular outlet that allows him to fully communicate his trauma. In addition to creative therapy, EMDR was a cornerstone of Sigal’s work with Rob. EMDR allowed Rob to further process and understand his past traumas, as well as their effect on his daily functioning.
Sigal discusses the complementary nature of art psychotherapy and EDMR, remarking on the benefits of such combination for patients suffering from complex trauma. Commenting on the remarkable outcomes of the therapy, both Sigal and Rob emphasize the development of interoceptive skills in improving emotional processing. With safety at the forefront of the therapy sessions, Sigal explains that the calmness of the patient in their mind and body is crucial to therapeutic success; trauma-informed interventions and recognizing body sensations are central to this approach.
Citation:
Sigal, N., & Rob. (2021). Dual perspectives on art therapy and EMDR for the treatment of complex childhood trauma. International Journal of Art Therapy, 26(1–2), 37–46. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1080/17454832.2021.1906288
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