Independent analysis: Skeffington, P. M., & Browne, M. (2014). Art therapy, trauma and substance misuse: Using imagery to explore a difficult past with a complex client. International Journal of Art Therapy

Independent analysis: Skeffington, P. M., & Browne, M. (2014). Art therapy, trauma and substance misuse: Using imagery to explore a difficult past with a complex client. International Journal of Art Therapy, 19(3), 114-121.

Skeffington, and Browne (2014) explained the concepts of trauma and complex trauma, and also presented some shortcomings of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in approaching complex trauma. However, the more significant part of this research is that it researched and proved the very effective role of art therapy in encouraging self-disclosure among victims of complex trauma. The research also provided major research findings on why art therapy is ahead of other approaches in promoting self-disclosure among complexly traumatized individuals.

This source will help me introduce the concept of trauma and especially the complex trauma, as well as explain the ways, art therapy can help promoting self-disclosure. Major findings cited from other sources will add help me add more authenticity into the significance of art therapy as an effective approach to promote self-disclosure. While the outcomes of the case study analysis will be used to add promising evidence of effectiveness of art therapy in encouraging and promoting self-disclosure. The findings of the case study will be used to design art therapy sessions for our MnM project. As per evidence provided by this case study, the MnM art therapy program will emphasize to customize the sessions specific to the traumatized individuals’ experiences of trauma, contexts and personality traits.

The key concept of exploring aspects of complex trauma past of difficult individuals is very relevant to my research project in the sense that, it will enable me add the new dimension of use of art therapy for promoting self-disclosure among complexly traumatized individuals.  I will consider this key concept to add more information regarding the role of art therapy in promoting self-disclosure in terms of its effectiveness with complex traumatized patients.

This article is related to Naff (2014) in the sense both studied the use of art therapy with complex trauma. The two sources overlap in their focus of complex trauma, however, Naff (2014) additionally proposed a framework for the use of art therapy. The most significant relationship that I can think of at this time is that, findings of this case stud by Skeffington, and Browne (2014) can be added to further strengthen the framework proposed by Naff (2014). Thus this current source can help enhance the proposed framework.

Majority of the highlighted sources explain why and how art therapy can help in treatment of trauma and promoting self-disclosure, however, it will require a careful reading of these sources in order to decide on the choosing the next article for independent analysis.

References

Naff, K. (2014). A Framework for Treating Cumulative Trauma With Art Therapy. Art Therapy, 31(2), 79-86.

Skeffington, P. M., & Browne, M. (2014). Art therapy, trauma and substance misuse: Using imagery to explore a difficult past with a complex client. International Journal of Art Therapy, 19(3), 114-121.