ABSTRACT
Art therapists often work collaboratively with other mental health professionals to expand or enhance treatment options for their patients. However, identifying the benefits of adding adjunctive therapeutic modalities to trauma treatment must be carefully coordinated with all involved to ensure an integrated and effective outcome. The use of experiential and expressive therapies for the management of symptoms and resolution of trauma is heartily embraced by researchers, academics, and clinicians who study and treat trauma. While it might be easy to identify the benefits of adding adjunctive modalities such as art therapy to trauma treatment, therapists face complexities, pitfalls, and ethical dilemmas when shifting from individual therapy to a model that may include collaboration with other practitioners. Art therapy is a wonderful tool for clients who appear to be “shut down” and unable to access or connect with traumatic memories through rational thought or language.
