Art Releases the Subconscious Trauma
Tracks
Norfolk & Karrie Webb Room - In Person
| Thursday, December 1, 2022 |
| 1:40 PM - 2:00 PM |
Overview
Kate Crowley-Smith, Broken to Brilliant
Speaker
Ms Kate Crowley-Smith
Founding Director
Broken To Brilliant
Art Releases the Subconscious Trauma
Abstract
Background
Broken to Brilliant Charity supports the long-term recovery of domestic abuse (DA) survivors through a lived-experience & 'pay-it-forward' model creating a process of mutual-rehabilitation (1). We developed the DVART program – Domestic Violence Amazing Resilient Thrivers. This program was designed to promote emotional safety and give survivors a creative way to express themselves. Using storytelling through art is a way to process trauma. Art therapy can have a positive impact on wellbeing (2).
Aim
DVART is for women and older children impacted by DA and aims to help survivors to process trauma and work through is a supported group led by lived-experience peer mentors and lived-experience trained professionals.
Method
Between 2021-2022, two 2-day DVART programs, with 10 participants were held. Trust, safety and connection were achieved by a mix of group activities. A variety of art techniques were used including mandalas, ceramics, painting and collage to share their story of moving past the effects of abuse. Five participants shared their experiences via a podcast.
Results
This session will share how the art therapy provided the DVART participants with a voice, a sense of connection and a shared knowing. The program facilitators will share the barriers and enablers for the program and their lessons learned from leading the program from lived-experience, using peer support and group work. DA services will be able to use the information provided to review their programs.
Conclusion
The DVART program created an emotionally safe place for the women to connect and they shared an unspoken knowing through their lived-experience. The 2-day program with time in between allowed time for the body and mind to process the activities. Creative therapy removes the need for survivors’ minds to know what they need to say. Metaphorical expression aids healing through a better understanding of feelings and behaviours (3).
Broken to Brilliant Charity supports the long-term recovery of domestic abuse (DA) survivors through a lived-experience & 'pay-it-forward' model creating a process of mutual-rehabilitation (1). We developed the DVART program – Domestic Violence Amazing Resilient Thrivers. This program was designed to promote emotional safety and give survivors a creative way to express themselves. Using storytelling through art is a way to process trauma. Art therapy can have a positive impact on wellbeing (2).
Aim
DVART is for women and older children impacted by DA and aims to help survivors to process trauma and work through is a supported group led by lived-experience peer mentors and lived-experience trained professionals.
Method
Between 2021-2022, two 2-day DVART programs, with 10 participants were held. Trust, safety and connection were achieved by a mix of group activities. A variety of art techniques were used including mandalas, ceramics, painting and collage to share their story of moving past the effects of abuse. Five participants shared their experiences via a podcast.
Results
This session will share how the art therapy provided the DVART participants with a voice, a sense of connection and a shared knowing. The program facilitators will share the barriers and enablers for the program and their lessons learned from leading the program from lived-experience, using peer support and group work. DA services will be able to use the information provided to review their programs.
Conclusion
The DVART program created an emotionally safe place for the women to connect and they shared an unspoken knowing through their lived-experience. The 2-day program with time in between allowed time for the body and mind to process the activities. Creative therapy removes the need for survivors’ minds to know what they need to say. Metaphorical expression aids healing through a better understanding of feelings and behaviours (3).
Biography
Kate Crowley Smith is the Founding Director of Broken to Brilliant, a Charity whose mission is domestic violence survivors mentoring survivors who are creating a new chapter in their life.
Kate is a mother of two grown children and a domestic violence survivor, with a professional background in Nursing and Health Promotion. Her work portfolios are patient safety and quality and injury prevention. Kate has a post-graduate certificate in domestic and family violence responses. Kate believes in lifelong learning and is driven to address unmet needs in our community.
