Integrating Art Therapy to Support Mentalization Skills for Processing Trauma

Abstract
Creative arts therapy holds the potential as a special form of mentalization therapy, that can support and strengthen the skills required for processing through the difficult layers of complex trauma. This workshop will demonstrate how the creative arts can support the three phases of complex trauma treatment defined by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, (ISSTD, 2011) by utilizing the indirect dyadic process of art making within a therapeutic relationship increasing trust, building metacognitive functioning, elevating concrete thinking through experiential learning, and taking a curious, open and playful stance that helps grow self-reflective capacity.

Timed Outline
25 Minutes - What is Mentalization, Mentalization and Trauma Processing, Mentalization-Based Approaches to Build Skills, Complex Trauma Treatment Approaches
10 Minutes - Creative Arts Therapy Approach
10 Minutes - Creative Arts Therapy and the Therapeutic Relationship
45 Minutes - Psychoeducation to Address Parts Who Think Concretely, Window of Tolerance, Shame Education, Building Developmental Understanding
25 Minutes - Feeling Externalized and Explored Through Creative Arts, Connecting to Feeling Creatively
35 Minutes - Developing Concrete Resources, Creative RDI Demo, Container and Calm State/Place, Art Therapy and Mindfulness Skill Development, Attachment Resourcing
30 Minutes - Scaffolding and Supporting Trauma Processing, Bring Along Resources and Imagination, Dialing Up Emotions, Dialing Down Emotions, Meaning Making, Future Focus

This session was originally presented as a live conference session in April 2021.

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify three ways an art therapy approach can improve the client’s mentalization skills, which are necessary for complex clients to connect with adaptive information when processing attachment wounds
  • Identify three ways an art therapy approach can help clients utilize psychoeducation tools in order to better partner with the goals of trauma treatment
  • Practice a resource development script that includes an expressive therapy component to help anchor the effectiveness of the resource
  • Name three ways an art therapy approach can help develop readiness for trauma processing
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 3.00 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 3.00 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00 continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 3.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.
Course opens: 
12/31/2020
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$59.00
Your Price:
$79.00
Part of: 
Day Four
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Elizabeth A. Davis, MFA, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC
Presenter Bio: Elizabeth Davis MFA, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT is a board certified, licensed art therapist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of creative arts therapy and trauma. Her approach integrates the modalities of Art Therapy, EMDR therapy, parts work, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, mindfulness and play therapy. Currently Elizabeth serves as Director of the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute satellite in the Buffalo, NY. Elizabeth’s focus is integrating creative and expressive modalities into the treatment of complex trauma Additionally she is involved in training, consultation, and intensive trauma therapy. Elizabeth is EMDR certified, a consultant and trainer for TI&CTI in Northampton, MA.

Available Credit

  • 3.00 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 3.00 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00 continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 3.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$59.00
Your Price:
$79.00
Please login or register to take this course.
  • "Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 
  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code.