After we go through traumatic experiences, it can feel like there’s a big, messy pile of unprocessed emotions that got shoved into one of the closets of our subconscious. We hear it knocking all the time. Over time, our mental energy gets directed toward keeping that door wired shut out of fear that painful feelings will spill out to completely swallow us up. Did you know that going back into our bodies to properly process these experiences could allow us to move forward? You haven’t failed just because counseling didn’t allow you to do this. Not everyone can process trauma with talk therapy alone.
Whether you’ve already tried traditional talk therapy for past trauma or you’re exploring your options for the first time, there’s no need to feel boxed in. In this post, we’re going to be exploring the option of combining art therapy with a form of psychotherapy called EMDR. Short for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, EMDR is a highly researched treatment that helps people process traumatic memories while making specific eye movements. Let’s talk about why combining these two methods can be so powerful for so many people seeking relief from trauma and distress.
Why Art Therapy and EMDR Are Worth Exploring If You Feel Stuck in Trauma or Grief
It’s normal to feel a little skeptical whenever you hear about a therapy that’s considered “unconventional.” While they may not have been offered at practices you’ve visited in the past, you can rest assured that both art therapy and EMDR are widely practiced, widely researched options that have been used successfully for decades. Before getting into the benefits of combining art therapy and EMDR, let’s breeze through some of the research:
- EMDR is commonly used in disaster-response settings. It’s been shown to be a powerful tool in reducing psychological distress in survivors of natural disasters.
- A study conducted at Kaiser Permanente found that 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a mean of six 50-minute EMDR therapy sessions.
- In addition to being an effective treatment for trauma, EMDR has been shown to produce positive results for bipolar disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorders.
Trauma-focused art therapy for mental health has been shown to lead to clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, reduced depression, enhanced emotional articulation, and improved mental resilience.
EMDR and Art Therapy Counseling
What makes this combination so dynamic for people struggling with trauma and grief? While there are no shortcuts to healing, EMDR and art therapy have both been shown to accelerate progress. In seven out of 10 major studies on EMDR’s efficacy, EMDR therapy has been shown be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Art therapy is also associated with higher rates of progress with shorter therapy durations. In a 2016 study, it was found that 75% of participants had lower cortisol levels after participating in a single 45-minute art therapy session.
Combining EMDR and art therapy also allows clients to find meaning in their experiences. As you work through EMDR to reconceptualize what occurred on both the physical and emotional levels, you are simultaneously working through your experiences using drawing therapy or writing therapy. This can create an incredible feeling of release.
Art therapy and EMDR are especially beneficial in cases where other treatment options haven’t been successful. A 2024 study looking at an integrative somatic art therapy approach using EMDR and body-based practices for traumatic stress found that a protocol combining art therapy and EMDR created significant decreases in trauma burnout symptoms. For researchers, the study’s results revealed the importance of therapy modes that explore emotions, insights, awareness, somatic experiences, and the art/creative process.
At the core of it all is the fact that both EMDR and art therapy allow you to connect with your emotions and body as you revisit experiences that forced you to disconnect from yourself. It can feel like these powerful somatic tools allow you to go back into your body in a safe, protected environment to finally process the experiences and thoughts that felt too unsafe to connect with as they were happening.
Bloom Therapy Offers a Supportive Setting for Art Therapy and EMDR
When offered together under the care of a trained therapist, EMDR and art therapy can help you to release the trauma that is stored in your body. Do you feel stuck because of trauma or grief? Bloom Therapy is pleased to offer in-person therapy at our office in Berwyn, PA. We also offer virtual therapy services to clients in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Get started with a consultation today!