Why Art Therapy Can Help: A Heuristic Inquiry on the Neuroscientific Basis for Physical and Emotional Healing from Negative Life Events and Trauma Through Art Therapy Presented by Shawn Shannon-Missal April 23, 2024 Purpose Statement 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 2 Justification ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 3 Terms ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 4 Literature Review Mindfulness: Awareness + acceptance of one’s experiences MBAT: Promotes positive psychological + physical health Combining expressive arts w/mindfulness promotes engagement in the present moment → resulting in: attention/emotion regulation + body awareness Provides a sense of control + directs attention away from symptoms. (Bettencourt & Newland, 2020) More effective at reducing negative moods than mere venting. (Rankanen et al., 2022) Statistically significant positive effects on anxiety, depression, fatigue (Kimport and Hartzell, 2015) and fear, anger. (Isis et al., 2023) Cancer patients → statistically significant fewer symptoms. (Monti et al., 2006) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 5 Literature Review Therapeutic Burnout: Vicarious + secondary trauma → emotional exhaustion = occupational burnout. (Delgadillo et al., 2018) Ethical Responsibility for Maintaining Wellness: Mental health affects how we think/feel/act ACA CoE → Responsibility to monitor for impairment → ethical obligation (American Counseling Association, Code of Ethics, 2014) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 6 Literature Review Trauma + the Therapeutic Value of Creating Art: Negative Life Events (NLEs): Natl Center for PTSD → LEC-5 → psychological, physiological, + behavioral changes. (Faust et al., 2021) Stress: 3 types = routine, sudden negative, traumatic → can be acute or chronic → cognitive, emotional, physical, behavioral. (Yarp, 2021) Trauma: DSM-5 / 4 cats = intrusion/re-experiencing, avoidance of reminders/triggers, negative alteration in cognition/moods, + alteration in arousal/reactivity → somatic event affecting mind + body 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 7 Literature Review The ETC: visual information processing + expression of increasing complexity. (Lusebrink, 2016) ETC provides a structure to investigate the neurological mechanisms at work when utilizing various artistic mediums and examine the ensuing process of creativity. (Lusebrink & Hinz, 2016) The brain processes sensory information in a bottom-up hierarchical way. (Fuster, 2003) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 8 Literature Review Creativity + Happiness: Happiness = evaluating the satisfaction one has in their life → happiness/well-being/physical health Well-being has also been related to creativity. (Tan et al., 2021) Creativity = relationship between well-being + creativity is reciprocal. (Tan & Qu, 2014) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 9 Literature Review PTSD + Art Therapy: overstimulation of limbic system (Malchiodi, 2021)→ dissociated fragments → prevent/delay formation of coherent trauma narrative (Howie, 2016) = difficult to treat with talk therapy alone → cortisol levels tested with art therapy → reduction in levels. (Kaimal et al., 2016) Writing as Therapy: journaling = known to alleviate symptoms. (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005) Working with Clay: self-soothing properties = self-regulation. (Stuckey & Noble, 2010) Bilateral Artmaking: engages both sides of the brain = self-regulation, (Malchiodi, 2021) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 10 Literature Review Neurological Testing on the Benefits of Creativity: Current research = quantitatively measuring subjective states. (King et al., 2019) Neurobiological changes studied: Salivary markers of immune function (Collier, Wayment, & Birkett, 2016; Kaimal, Ray, & Muniz, 2016) Heart rate variability -HRV (Haiblum-Itskovitch, Czamanski-Cohen, & Galili, 2018) Electroencephalography – EEG (Belkofer et al., 2014; King, 2017; Kruk, Aravich, Deaver, & deBeus, 2014) Functional magnetic resonance imaging – fMRI (Walker, Stamper, Nathan, & Riedy, 2018) Functional near-infrared spectroscopy - fNRIS (Kaimal et al., 2017) Biology can change as a result of art therapy interventions. (King et al. 2019) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 11 Literature Review Neurological Testing on the Benefits of Creativity: The Brain + Art Therapy: Left brain = calculation/competition (McGilchrist, 2009) → Right brain = compassion/spontaneity → integration of both sides necessary for balance Mirror neurons = clients gain more insight when they observe the therapist modeling a process. (Franklin, 2010) Neuroplasticity = physiological changes the brain undergoes when learning/processing emotional stimuli. (Tamietto et al., 2012) 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 12 Project NLE#1: Residual Vomiting from Chemotherapy NLE#2: Managing Stress While Dealing with Daughter’s Mental Health + Subsequent Substance Use NLE#3: Managing PTSD Symptoms Related to Being My Mother’s Caretaker at the End of Her Life Limitations ▪ ▪ ▪ 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 17 Areas for future exploration ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Final Thoughts ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 19 QUESTIONS? 4/23/2024 TRAUMA + ART THERAPY 20