The Role of Response Art in the Case of an Adolescent Survivor of Developmental Trauma

Abstract

This article presents the art therapist's engagement in responsive art making as an effective approach in working with an adolescent survivor of developmental trauma. Through a case study illustration, the art therapist's response art was effective in two main areas. First, in-session response art helped facilitate treatment goals in accordance with van der Kolk's (2005) conceptualization of Developmental Trauma Disorder. Second, systematic exploration of countertransference issues through post-session art led to inner change in the therapist that coincided with change occurring in the client's behavior and approach to art making. Consequently, the client transferred defensive, acting-out behaviors from the context of the relationship into the art products themselves, thereby mastering artistic processes while moving towards expression of previously masked emotions connected with her trauma.