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Arts & Communication Art images and trauma in femicide orphans

art to create a narrative concerning a traumatic event. The experience wielding a profound influence over our sense
authors found that using art to create a narrative about a of self . In their investigation, Abbing et al. centered
[29]
[26]
traumatic event was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms their attention on systematic reviews of non-randomized
in survivors of sexual violence. Specifically, the study found and controlled studies to assess the effects of employing
that the participants showed significant improvement in art use on anxiety in university students and explore
their symptoms related to re-experiencing, avoidance, the characteristics of the intervention and its benefits.
and hyperarousal after participating in the art therapy Their findings showcased the efficacy of diverse visual
intervention. techniques, such as trauma-related mandala design, clay
work, still life drawing, and house-tree-person drawing,
Images visualization, although boasting a long history,
has garnered relatively scant academic research attention. in mitigating pre-examination anxiety. Complementing
this, Wood et al. offered a systematic review detailing
[30]
However, mental imagery is increasingly recognized the procedures mainly employed in interventions with
in practical counseling approaches, such as cognitive- art therapy on patients with cancer. This spectrum
behavioral therapy (CBT), where it is employed to modify includes questionnaires, in-depth interviews, patients’
and reconfigure dysfunctional schemas . This visualization artwork, therapists’ narratives of sessions, and stress
[24]
technique is often harnessed within therapy to expedite markers extracted from salivary samples. In addition, the
treatment processes and represent aspects of the self [24-26] . meta-analysis by Jin et al. underscored the substantial
[31]
By framing images, the technique gives rise to conceptual psychological health benefits, particularly for children,
metaphors that forge deep-level schemas or “experiential associated with clay-based interventions, especially in
gestalts,” consequently reshaping an individual’s cognitive single or group settings.
perception of self and its relation to the environment .
[24]
Each image serves as a focal point and a vehicle for The utilization (visualization) of art images in trauma
therapeutic dialogue, bridging rational and imaginative healing involves employing visual art as a tool for processing
thinking. As elucidated by Thomas and Fernández-Cao and expressing difficult emotions related to trauma.
[24]
et al. , the efficacy of visualization as a therapeutic tool Notably, the tool encompasses a diverse array of art images
[25]
hinges on several factors including the need for a conscious created by well-known artists. These selections are rooted
relaxation state, the therapist’s stance toward visualization, in the clinical experience of specific psychotherapists,
and the client’s attitude molded by personal and cultural who then systematized the images through preliminary
experiences. The therapist’s alignment with specific values validations and publications dedicated to this domain.
and characteristics can impact the approach to the client’s In its complete form, the art image collection comprises
images. Clients harboring negative biases might exhibit 26 image categories, each containing 10 images. These
resistance toward the visualization process or the resultant categories encompass “Child,” “Home,” ‘Meal,” “Couple,”
imagery. Several studies [25,27] underline that the process of “Eating Disorder,” “Giver (He),” “Giver (She),” “Gift;
image visualization in therapy fosters the augmentation Family,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Parents,” “Play,” “Gender
of certain metacognitive functions, such as monitoring Identity,” “Female Individual,” “Male Individual,” “Job,”
one’s own mental states, that is, awareness of one’s own “Mother,” “Illness,” “Death,” “Grandparents,” “Origins,”
thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and their integration “Father,” “Resources,” “Sexuality,” “Trauma,” and “Old
[28]
into a unified representation of the various selves . Tools Age.” The tool has substantiated its practical worth within
that rely on the process of image visualization, unlike clinical work [18,19,32] .
other techniques that involve the construction of artistic Implicit languages often give rise to particularly vivid
products (e.g., family collage), do not involve any creation suggestions. In this perspective, the use of metaphors
but only the deep observation of an image with the aim and images proves to be effective tools in aiding patients,
of promoting the activation of certain reflection processes. couples, and families to identify their genuine emotions.
Esthetic studies corroborate the importance of The efficiency of the therapeutic use of implicit languages,
employing art images for trauma-related contexts. This which anchor directly into the emotional sphere, is well-
[33]
utilization is underscored by the mobilizing power attested .
inherent in their contemplation, showcasing their capacity Through the use of images, the non-verbal channel
to unearth personal stories that harbor therapeutic can be effectively activated because images use the optical
potential . The notion of esthetic experience encapsulates unconscious [33-35] , and images always stimulate new
[25]
our ongoing perception of the formal organization of connections, allowing amplification of the emotional
our world. This perception extends to both our external correlate, thus moving from the eyes to the heart .
[34]
surroundings and subjective experience, with our esthetic However, the therapist can also fulfill another fundamental

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.0337