Art therapy is an effective way to assist in survivors’ recovery (Kometiani, 2020; Kometiani & Farmer, 2019; Tan, 2012). Art therapy groups for survivors of sex trafficking offer a potential for healing relationships, an opportunity to experience control, a way to process loss and integrate the past, and increase positive self-identity. Through emotional processing, establishing a community of support, increasing a sense of self-efficacy, and reintegrating trauma, survivors experience hope through participating in art therapy. The arts connect us to meaning beyond ourselves (van Der Kolk, 2014), and this presentation illuminates hope for survivors as the possibility of light after darkness. The presenter will define the practice of art therapy and provide an overview of the research regarding art therapy with survivors of sex trafficking. This presentation validates the compelling benefits of art therapy facilitated by a registered, board certified art therapist through several case studies of female survivors from a safe house setting. Various, structured interventions, goals, and outcomes are explored, and survivor artwork is examined to reveal symbolism and meaning. These case examples demonstrate that art therapy aids in recovery through experiencing empowerment, emotional processing and reintegration of trauma, increases self-worth, and establishes hope and supportive relationships.
Mary Kometiani is a registered board-certified art therapist, lecturer, and author in art therapy. Mary provides art therapy to survivors of human sex trafficking through Art Therapy Heals, LLC. She also has extensive experience providing medical art therapy, art therapy for homeless families, and counseling the bereaved.