Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy

From pioneering therapist Cathy A. Malchiodi, this book synthesizes the breadth of research on trauma and the brain and presents an innovative framework for treating trauma through the expressive arts. The volume describes powerful ways to tap into deeply felt bodily and sensory experiences as a foundation for safely exploring emotions, memories, and personal narratives. Rich clinical examples illustrate the use of movement, sound, play, art, and drama with children and adults. Malchiodi's approach not only enables survivors to express experiences that defy verbalization, but also helps them to transform and integrate the trauma, regain a sense of aliveness, and imagine a new future. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print reproducible tools from the book in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size, as well as full-color versions of 26 figures.

Cathy A. Malchiodi, PhD, ATR-BC, LPCC, LPAT, REAT, is a psychologist and expressive arts therapist specializing in trauma recovery. Since the 1990s, Dr. Malchiodi has worked with traumatized children, adolescents, adults, and families, expanding the range of understanding of nonverbal, sensory-based concepts and methods. Founder and executive director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Dr. Malchiodi has given over 700 invited keynotes, lectures, and workshops around the world, and has assisted more than 500 organizations and institutions in developing trauma-informed, expressive arts, and disaster relief programming. Her books include Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy, Understanding Children’s Drawings, and Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, Second Edition. Dr. Malchiodi is a contributing writer forPsychology Today, an active visual artist, and an aspiring musician.