Art- and Body-based Methods in Healing Trauma and Finding Peace : Piloting a Creative Group in a Therapeutic Community for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
Aromaa, Aija (2018)
Aromaa, Aija
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018121822303
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018121822303
Tiivistelmä
ABSTRACT
Aija Aromaa;
Art- And Body-Based Methods in Healing Trauma and Finding Peace
Piloting a Creative Group in a Therapeutic Community for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
93 pages, One appendix Published 12/2018
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Master’s degree on Social Sciences
Master’s degree in Community Development, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
In this thesis art- and body-based methods in healing from trauma have been investigated both through literature and by applying them into practice. The thesis describes a project in which a Creative Group was piloted in a residential rehabilitation unit ran by The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters with parents of issues on substance abuse.
The practical project took place between April and September 2018 and included nine meetings with the residents of the unit. In each meeting different body- and art-based method of self-soothing, stress-relieving and emotional regulation were practiced and experimented with. The aim of the project was to give the group participants alternative methods of coping with anxiety and past trauma, and also to give information on the connection between trauma and body. The feedback was collected through telephone interviews, after the project had finished, from the participants and the co-worker (mental health nurse).
The thesis emphasizes the importance of healing from trauma in all conflict resolution situations be it in intimate relationships, families, communities, societies or post-war situations. The connection between inner peace and societal peace is being highlighted in the thesis.
In conclusion, it is stated that art- and body-based methods are valuable tools in healing from trauma. Trauma is not necessarily accessible through verbalizing and sometimes talking can even be re-traumatizing. Healing trauma through body and art is empowering, as these methods can be learned and practiced in an individual’s life as self-help tools for emotional and physical self-regulation. They can also be made accessible to large groups for example in refugee centers.
The feedback from the Creative Group members was mainly positive. Many participants stated, that the methods were useful also in their everyday life for self-regulation and finding peaceful moments.
Aija Aromaa;
Art- And Body-Based Methods in Healing Trauma and Finding Peace
Piloting a Creative Group in a Therapeutic Community for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
93 pages, One appendix Published 12/2018
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Master’s degree on Social Sciences
Master’s degree in Community Development, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
In this thesis art- and body-based methods in healing from trauma have been investigated both through literature and by applying them into practice. The thesis describes a project in which a Creative Group was piloted in a residential rehabilitation unit ran by The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters with parents of issues on substance abuse.
The practical project took place between April and September 2018 and included nine meetings with the residents of the unit. In each meeting different body- and art-based method of self-soothing, stress-relieving and emotional regulation were practiced and experimented with. The aim of the project was to give the group participants alternative methods of coping with anxiety and past trauma, and also to give information on the connection between trauma and body. The feedback was collected through telephone interviews, after the project had finished, from the participants and the co-worker (mental health nurse).
The thesis emphasizes the importance of healing from trauma in all conflict resolution situations be it in intimate relationships, families, communities, societies or post-war situations. The connection between inner peace and societal peace is being highlighted in the thesis.
In conclusion, it is stated that art- and body-based methods are valuable tools in healing from trauma. Trauma is not necessarily accessible through verbalizing and sometimes talking can even be re-traumatizing. Healing trauma through body and art is empowering, as these methods can be learned and practiced in an individual’s life as self-help tools for emotional and physical self-regulation. They can also be made accessible to large groups for example in refugee centers.
The feedback from the Creative Group members was mainly positive. Many participants stated, that the methods were useful also in their everyday life for self-regulation and finding peaceful moments.