(upbeat music)
-: Hello, my name is Alexis Jackson
and I will be presenting on utilizing art therapy
in school-age populations who have experienced trauma.
The DSM-5 describes trauma as any adverse experience
that has the potential to cause serious harm,
violence or death to an individual.
We know that there are certain school-age populations
who are more likely to experience trauma.
The first population that we examine
are sexual minority youth,
or youth who belong to the LGBTQIA community.
This population experiences higher rates
of bullying at a rate of one-third.
We know that this population is more likely
to engage in suicidality and this population
has higher rates of STDs and STIs
because they are sexually perpetrated against
at higher rates.
The next population that we examine
are youth who have experienced natural disasters.
This population may experience a reversal of roles
in the home, where a parent or caregiver may have been lost.
This population may also experience higher rates
of absenteeism and they may also experience
social isolation within the school system
because of their relocation, and angst about the move.
The next population that we examine
are youth who identify as immigrants
or who belong to mixed-status families.
This is a population where the parent or caregiver
may not have citizenship, but the child they themselves, do.
This population is less likely to access healthcare
because they are afraid of detainment
and this population also experiences
more social anxiety and isolation as they have been
told that status equates to citizenship.
We found that art therapy is especially effective
in helping these populations because it allows for catharsis
or a re-processing of emotions.
We also know that youth are able to rehabilitate,
grow and heal from processing their emotions
through art therapy and expressive therapies.
We know that art therapy is especially effective
because it is a non-verbal way
that children can communicate the traumatic experiences
that have happened to them.
We found that there are multiple creative techniques
that allow for children
to express their emotions through art.
The first might be color your emotions,
and this is where a child can use angry pink or red
to signify frustration or anger.
The next creative art therapy technique
that is one of my favorites, is create a safe space.
And this is where a child is able to draw a safe space
that is free from harm or trauma where they feel most safe
and this individual can process and relocate themselves
and dissociate from the traumatic experiences
when they're experiencing them.
Here are some of my selected references
and I would like to thank you all
for coming to my presentation today.
(gentle music)