Group Art Therapy: The Evolution of Treatment and the Power of Witness

Howie, Paula

doi:10.4324/9781315669526-7

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Derailing combat injuries and the accompanying psychological anguish disrupt the strong sense of identity held by service members and strip them of their abilities to actively participate in the experiences that had once held them safe in solidarity 52. Group treatment with service members can reveal vulnerability and psychological fragility that are foreign and contradictory to the solidarity and leadership of the collectivist military culture 40 52…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clinical observations indicate that group art therapy is highly effective with service members because it allows the strengths of the community-based military culture to benefit the individual participant 40. It is the strength of the unit’s cohesion that shields the adversity of combat, the development of PTSD and possibly suicidality 41.…”

Section: Art Therapy For Military Service Members With Tbi and Ptsdmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Master My Demons’: art therapy montage paintings by active-duty military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress

2018

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This study involved a thematic analysis of montage paintings and of related clinical records of 240 active-duty military service members collected during their art therapy treatment for traumatic brain injury and underlying psychological health concerns, including post-traumatic stress, at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Congruent with other research findings, the qualitative analyses of this study suggest that the group art therapy experiences fostered improvement in interpersonal relatedness, hopefulness and gratification for the service members in treatment, aiding in externalisation, progressive exposure and construction of a trauma narrative imperative for recovery. The mixed media nature of the montage painting supported the expression of a range of postcombat symptoms. Results from this study highlighted the complexity of military culture, necessitating a broader scope of analyses for how art therapy helps service members express and communicate their challenges to care providers, peers and family as well as regulate emotion in the short and long term.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Art Therapy For Military Service Members With Tbi and Ptsdmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Master My Demons’: art therapy montage paintings by active-duty military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress

2018

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Section: Art Therapy Treatment Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The union of art therapy and military trauma dates back to the origins of the art therapy profession (Howie, 2017). More recently, art therapy has been recognized as a complementary treatment for SMs and veterans with PTSD and TBI (Howie, 2017; Nanda, Barbato Gaydos, Hathron, & Watkins, 2010). Art therapy is effective in integrative care in that the SMs can “absorb, process, and retain gains achieved with exposure-based and cognitive-based therapies” (p. 395; Sornborger et al, 2017).…”

Section: Art Therapy Treatment Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Implicit and declarative memories associated with the trauma have been theorized as enabling reconnection and integration through art therapy (Collie, Malchiodi, Backos, & Spiegel, 2006). The group art therapy format is effective with veterans because it aligns with the familiar collectivist military culture (Howie, 2017). Within the shared experience of combat, group art therapy also provides a conduit for accessing the trauma and safely exploring the narrative (Smith, 2016).…”

Section: Art Therapy Treatment Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examining associations between montage painting imagery and symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among active-duty military service members.

Kaimal¹,

Walker²,

Herres³

et al. 2022

Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts

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Art therapy has traditionally been used as a treatment approach but it can also be applied successfully as a clinical behavioral health assessment tool in the care of military service members suffering from the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and operational stressors. This observational study examined patterns of associations between visual imagery (mask and montage paintings) and clinical symptoms among 240 active-duty military service members with TBI, and associated psychological health conditions to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The service members had participated in a 4-week intensive outpatient assessment and treatment program at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the United States. Themes seen in the visual imagery were examined in correlation with standardized measures of PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist: Military Version) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). The analysis showed that certain themes, like the use of color symbolism to depict psychological states, were associated with greater PTSD and depressive symptoms at the beginning of the program. In addition, patients who depicted themes like physical injury, psychological injury, and memories of deployment in Week 1 of the program were more likely to continue to represent them in Week 4. Depiction of themes like color metaphors and duality was associated with lower depressive symptoms at the end of the program. The findings indicate the potential clinical and prognostic value of tracking the content of visual imagery created by military service members with TBI and associated psychological health conditions. Clinical applications include the recognition that certain visual themes could indicate higher or lower levels of distress and may help guide targeted care.

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Group Art Therapy: The Evolution of Treatment and the Power of Witness

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

‘Master My Demons’: art therapy montage paintings by active-duty military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress

‘Master My Demons’: art therapy montage paintings by active-duty military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress

Examining associations between montage painting imagery and symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among active-duty military service members.

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