Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art: Drawing from the Center [Paperback]

Barry M. Cohen; Mary-Michola Barnes; Anita B. Rankin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 1995

Three art therapists have collaborated to produce this unique workbook. Designed especially for trauma survivors, Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art introduces inventive ways to understand, manage, and transform the aftereffects of trauma. This dynamic workbook consists of carefully structured step-by-step art projects, augmented by tearout images, and writing experiences. The book's first section, Developing Basic Tools For Managing Stress, is devoted to establishing a safe framework for trauma resolution. The second section, Acknowledging and Regulating Your Emotions, helps the trauma survivor to make sense of overwhelming emotional experiences. The final section, Being and Functioning in the World, focuses on self and relational development, leading into the future. Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art will inspire survivors to explore the aftermath of traumatic stress as it affects self-image, relationships with others, and functioning in the world. The 26 projects in this book encourage creative growth and help to establish a sense of personal safety, while exploring and honoring feelings of anger, fear, shame, and sadness. The art experiences are broad enough to be of value to survivors of a wide variety of traumatic experiences, ranging from childhood abuse to accidents to disabling mental illness. This workbook offers an opportunity to everyone, regardless of previous experience or artistic talent, to manage symptoms of traumatic stress in a creative, life-affirming way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This beautifully written guidebook for victims of trauma is a remarkable achievement in the effort to empower the survivor....and the authors are exquisitely sensitive to the needs of their audience for safety and structure. This will be useful to survivors, therapists, and counselors in all areas of traumatic stress." --David Read Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Outpatient Services, National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT

"I am wildly enthusiastic about this book. I think it's one of the best things I've ever seen for survivors....It provides survivors with a realistic and hopeful process, utilizing art, that guides them from honoring the past to releasing emotions safely to building an array of healthy coping strategies to a sense of empowerment and hope." --Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Director, Center for Advanced Clinical Development, Springfield, VA

From the Publisher

This book is published by the Sidran Foundation, a national nonprofit organization devoted to advocacy, education, and research in support of people with traumatic stress conditions. To learn more about the Sidran Foundation and our work, please visit our website at http://www.sidran.org.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sidran Press; 1 edition (July 4, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962916471
• ISBN-13: 978-0962916472
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable tool., March 23, 2000

By 

S.K. Massey (Bethesda, Maryland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art: Drawing from the Center (Paperback)

This extraordinary work enabled me to work through my great stress and associated feelings after my Father was diagnosed with stomach cancer which resulted in his death. I am grateful to the authors for creating such a powerful, accessible, and healing book. The instruction is clear, concise, and most importantly, easy to follow. Guidance is offered when challenging feelings arise. One never feels left in the lurch. And I don't believe you must be an artist, at all, to use this book, though you might be prompted to continue working with the simple and easily aquired materials the authors suggest. I can't say enough about the usefulness of this book for dealing with emotional trauma.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Art therapy Source Book for adolescent and adult populations, March 18, 2008

By 

Cell Phone User (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art: Drawing from the Center (Paperback)

I find this book a valuable companion easily adaptable for the professional social worker, counselor or therapist. Many of the exercises are easy to adapt and adjust for the needs of the client. Adjustable for group or individual work. My copy is filled with bookmarks. When I use it other therapists want a copy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Instructive Art for Managing Traumatic Stress, September 11, 2009

By 

Jennifer M. Butler "Jedi Nicholas" (Fredericksburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art: Drawing from the Center (Paperback)

I found this book to be a super-great tool in managing my own traumatic stress through art. There are guided instructions and questions to answer that help you understand and deal with the traumatic stress feelings. I recommend this for anyone with Bi-Polar, PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT group members, and Major Depressive Disorder sufferers. I hope you love it as much as I do and continue to.