INTEGRATING TF-CBT AND ART THERAPY WITH
YOUTH AT RISK FOR HUMAN AND SEX
TRAFFICKING IN THAILAND
Michelle Factor
Edinboro University
December 2019
1

INTRODUCTION
Human and sex trafficking

A global problem and nothing new to Thailand, being traced
back as far as the late 1700’s

This qualitative study was designed to explore levels of
anxiety and depression

JUSTIFICATIONS

Thai females turn to sex trafficking to provide a means of
survival, especially in poor families.

The impact on trafficked individuals are very complex and
difficult

Trafficked individuals and youth at-risk are at an increased risk
of anxiety, depression and PTSD

DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
PROGRAMME
FOR DAUGHTERS AND COMMUNITIES
CENTRE

DEPDC

Developed in 1989, grades K-12

Non-profit community based preventing trafficking of children
and women

DEPDC’s vision

*CONSENT AND PERMISSION FOR ALL PHOTOGRAPHS HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF DEPDC

DEPDC SCHOOL GROUNDS
FOUNDER- SOMPOP JANTRAKA - WWW.DEPDC.ORG

PURPOSE

Trauma has no boundaries with regard to age, gender,
socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual
orientation(SAMHSA,2019)

Integrating TF-CBT and Art Therapy will decrease
symptoms of trauma

Addressing trauma

DAILY CHECK-IN EMOTIONS
GROUP LEADER SELF-PORTRAITS

LIMITATIONS

Lack of time

Language barrier

Social desirability

Honesty

LITERATURE REVIEW
Trauma informed approaches help build trusting relationships
and provide language access and cultural sensitivity (Steiner,
2018)

Working separately with individuals addresses prioritized needs

Art Therapy combined with CBT reduces trauma symptoms and
enhances the potential for positive outcomes

FINDINGS

Daily check-ins revealed decreased symptoms of anxiety and
depression

Integration of TF-CBT and Art Therapies helped decrease
traumatic symptoms

Including empowerment in art interventions helped build
confidence and increased self-esteem

DAY 1
VISUAL JOURNALS, NAME TAGS, AND SELF-PORTRAITS

DAY 2
SELF-PORTRAITS , VISUAL JOURNALS

DAY 3
INTRODUCE GROUP MURAL, AND BEGIN TRACING DOLL PATTERNS

DAY 4
CREATING DOLLS

GROUP MURAL SKETCH

DAY 5
GROUP MURAL, EMPOWERMENT ROCKS, AND BRACELETS

DAY 6
EXPLORING WITH WATERCOLORS, JOURNALING, AND PAINTING THE GROUP MURAL

DAY 7
COMPLETED GROUP MURAL

DAY 8
TIE-DYE T-SHIRTS

FUTURE RESEARCH

The need for more research integrating TF-CBT and Art Therapy

The need for more solutions when treating human and sex
trafficking victims and youth at-risk

The need for more research to prevent future trauma and future
abuse

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Students at DEPDC have been exposed to different traumas
making each one of their experiences unique and complex

Daily art interventions such as visual journals helped students
process their traumas in positive ways restoring their well-being

Creating gave students a sense of hope allowing room for
growth and healing

Questions?

References
Steiner, J. J. 1. jjs424@ssw. rutgers. ed., Kynn, J., Stylianou, A. M. ., & Postmus, J. L. . (2018). Providing services to
trafficking survivors: Understanding practices across the globe. Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, 15(2),
150–169. https://doi-org.proxy-edinboro.klnpa.org/10.1080/23761407.2017.1423527

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Retrieved March 15, 2019, from
https://www.samhsa.gov/