ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the power of metaphor as a way to help titrate a child or family’s approach to trauma content. Symbolic representations of painful truths show the power of removing them from stark reality. Various forms of expressive art will be demonstrated, as will the powerful use of storytelling in various mediums. A continuum of expressive arts materials and how various materials invite more or less containment will also be discussed. Case examples will include puppetry, sandtray storytelling, photography, and painting. Case vignettes will also demonstrate times when the therapeutic work is done wholly in the metaphors and other times when more conscious associations may be drawn between the metaphoric work and the real-world trauma recovery.
