The Effectiveness of Trauma Focused Art Therapy

More than 30% of patients with trauma-related complaints do not benefit from prescribed treatments. This concerns patients who have either a poor verbal memory or who are unable or do not wish to talk about their experiences. In clinical practice, trauma-oriented art therapy appears to be an appropriate treatment. The visual, tangible, experiential character of art therapy is in line with the often wordless, visual and sensory nature of trauma. Art therapy aims to contribute to achieving personal goals through the use of visual materials and techniques. This approach has been insufficiently examined. Treatment of refugees with Trauma-Focused Art Therapy has previously been shown to be feasible in clinical practice and acceptable to patients. Using a Mixed Method design, the researchers aim to measure the effect of this protocol in specialized mental health care and the experience of patients with regard to their personal recovery.