Use of art therapy with sexually abused children
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Authors
Lee, Renée
Issue Date
1989
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This document represents a process of discovering if non-verbal therapy, i.e., art therapy, can be useful in increasing communication between sexually abused children and the therapist. Often, these children are traumatized by their experiences and have difficulty communicating their feelings. Art allows them another way to describe the trauma of abuse. Art therapy offers distance from the trauma and a non-threatening approach for increased communication. I interviewed five therapists about their use of non-verbal therapies. Through the interview process, I discovered that the expressive arts are useful to increase communication and that the process itself is also healing. I also describe goals and objectives for a successful art therapy program. The program combines Dr. Sgroi's common sexual abuse treatment issues with victimization therapy and allows children a safe environment to express--symbolically or realistically--their abuse. The discipline of art therapy is both recognized and accepted by many professional mental health communities and the expressive arts have a unique contribution to make to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual abuse and/or victimization.