“A picture can say a thousand words.”

Seeing something makes it more real. Looking at pictures puts thoughts and feelings into existence that can’t necessarily be said in words. Visual images have a very powerful impact because with visual reality, denial and dissociation can slowly be overcome. Emotional connections are made, and personal or internal relationships are formed – just with the sharing of a visual picture.

As part of the treatment process, trauma survivors can draw numerous pictures about:

How they feel
How their system is organized
What their internal world looks like
The unknown -- because the shapes and forms can be left to the imagination
Their deepest conflicts and mixed emotions
System shifts and internal movement
Memory sequences – of positive or painful events
What their trauma looked like
Things, places, friends, or pets that bring comfort
Their hopes and dreams
Their wishes or internal fantasies

Almost anything can be put into a picture of some sort. Taking the time to draw the picture, to process the content with internal parts and external support people, and to assimilate the fragmented information will help with genuine healing and resolution of the issue at hand.

The plans for the art gallery include posting a variety of art selections created by trauma survivors or their supportive loved ones. If you have a piece of art you would like to post on this site, please contact us at ideas@abuseconsultants.com for further information.

Please note: Creating visual pictures and works of art are very powerful tools, so assess your personal safety and emotional stability carefully. If you are surprised or destabilized by the amount of emotionally charged material that surfaced in your creative work, please get appropriate therapeutic support as quickly as possible.

If you would like to process the information that has surfaced during your creative exercise with a therapist from AbuseConsultants.com, please consider a clinical consultation.