**TRIGGER WARNING**
Case Study: Sex Trafficking Victim Heals Trauma Through Art Therapy
CASE:
A woman in her 20s who has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), faces a challenging path in processing her experiences of sex trafficking and abuse.
Causes of her Complex PTSD were childhood physical, and emotional abuse, sex trafficking, as well as long-term exposure to crises. This repeated trauma of sexual abuse instigated Dissociative Identity Disorder by using multiple identity fragments for the various repeated traumatic experiences.
STUDY:
The client has been struggling to process and heal from her past trauma. She has tried traditional talk therapy, but she has found it to be ineffective. She is looking for a more creative and expressive way to express her emotions and experiences. The client was introduced to an art therapy kit that is specifically designed for individuals who have experienced trauma. The kit includes a variety of art supplies, project materials, as well as instructions for different art therapy exercises.
ART THERAPY - ARTWORK EXAMPLES
TRAUMA WOUNDS: A Journey of Fragmentation and Integration
This artwork helped her to express the pain and trauma that she had experienced, fragmenting her identity. The different personas symbolized by the heads helped compartmentalize the events, she has tried not to remember. By taking a moment, and halting she recognized the emotional and physical changes that suddenly gave her sharp sensations from the traumatic memories.
DEFLOWERED: Ensnared in an Endless Cycle of Pain
The client created a picture of a flower that represented her being deflowered. The loss of her innocence and then perpetual abuse and sex trafficking left open emotional wounds from the trauma. Being used for sexual gratification was painful, and continues to feel similar to a cut, or open wound.
SELF-AWARENESS: Introspection and Acceptance
The client created a picture of a woman with a heart cut out and dark, taped-over eyes. This picture represents her mother, who had been abusive and neglectful. The client said that this picture helped her to express her anger and resentment toward her mother with words and imagery.
BOUNDARIES: Prioritize and Establish
The client has reconciled her needs and wants, to heal and live a peaceful life. Prioritizing Self-Care, the client has made a conscious choice to prioritize her well-being. Through Establishing Boundaries, the client is setting clear boundaries to protect her emotional and physical space and she will no longer tolerate being taken advantage of or manipulated. By allowing "Good Vibes Only" she sets to the tone and energy in her presence and filters out negative influences. She will not allow herself to be sold, again and has embraced her newfound independence and confidence.
BANDAIDS: Healing Herself
This picture represents the wounds that she had experienced as a result of her trauma. She identified the need to "Love Yourself First" and to "Have an Open Heart". The client said that this picture helped her to feel seen and understood. Butterfly depicted her evolution and development of healing herself. Its transformation from a humble caterpillar to a vibrant winged creature mirrored the client's journey of self-development and healing. It represented the resilience she had cultivated, the strength she had found within herself.
The metamorphosis symbolized her shedding of old wounds and embracing a new sense of freedom and empowerment. The delicate wings of the butterfly signified the fragility and vulnerability she had overcome, while the vibrant colors depicted the beauty and growth that had blossomed from her pain. This image offered her solace and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, transformation was possible.
RESULTS:
The client was immediately drawn to the art therapy kit. She found that the art supplies were easy to use and that the instructions were clear and easy to follow. She enjoyed the different embellishments, stickers, collage materials, and cutouts that were included, which helped express her thoughts. She began using the kit regularly, and she quickly noticed a positive impact on her mental health and improved wellness.
The client reported that the art therapy activities helped her to express her emotions in a way that she had not been able to do before. She said that the art therapy helped her to feel more connected to her inner self and her past experiences. She also said that the art therapy helped her to develop a sense of self-compassion and acceptance.
Overall, the client found the art therapy kit to be a valuable tool for her healing journey. She said that this wellness kit helped her to process and heal from her past trauma, and it helped her to develop a more positive and fulfilling outlook on life. "I swear, this is the coolest therapy!"