Expressive Arts and Trauma Healing: Three Interventions for Working with Survivors of Exploitation
Kyla Woods, Liz Kimbel & M. Elizabeth Bowman, PhD, LICSW, LCSW-C | September 20 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Art, Programming | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Expressive arts includes a wide range of activities that largely utilize nonverbal methods to connect with feelings or thoughts of participants. As a therapeutic and educational intervention, expressive arts have been shown to be more accessible than many other methods for working with trauma survivors (Hopper et al., 2018). Survivor leaders and group facilitators, Kyla Woods, Liz Kimbel, and Dr. Beth, will present three techniques used in their practice with survivors of sex trafficking in the greater DC and Baltimore areas. Workshop participants will be guided through three creative arts activities using self-expression to develop self-awareness, cope with stress and trauma, and work on several social-emotional skills.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe three expressive arts interventions that can be used in clinical or skills/education focused group practice
· Present intervention techniques which can help improve psychosocial skills for survivors of exploitation
· Discuss how to evaluate effectiveness of expressive arts approaches to intervention