Johnson (2008) developed Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy based on the principles of attachment theory. The basic assumption is that lack of a secure attachment in childhood results in emotional and relationship problems in adulthood. Parents are human beings with their own problems and cannot always respond to children in a healthy and appropriate way, so it is quite common that children experience insecurity and trauma. However, in order to heal from the wounds of childhood, adults need to grieve and process the feelings that they had to set aside when they were little (Bloom, 2000). Adults can develop secure attachment with a significant other and heal the relational wounds from childhood (Johnson, 2008). Further, evidence suggests that
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Studies show that art therapy is effective in treating trauma (Naff, 2014). For decades, art therapy has also been incorporated into substance abuse treatment (Moore, 1983). Research findings suggest art therapy can be instrumental for addressing problems with addiction (Horay, 2006), such as reducing denial (Cox & Price, 1990), increasing self-expression (Moore, 1983), and reducing shame (Johnson, 1990). Art therapy can also help motivate clients to change (Holt & Kaiser, 2009) by moving them into a state of action (Matto, Corcoran, & Fassler, 2003). Furthermore, mental health problems may originate from experiences that happened before the child could talk. Art therapy is an effective way to access and process memories that are subconscious and non-verbal (Lusebrink, 2010). One of the most significant ways that art therapy aids clients in healing is that it creates the capacity to externalize the problem. By creating an image or object, clients can gain valuable emotional distance from their problems, allowing them to formulate alternative solutions more readily. Art therapy and personal art-making are also utilized extensively for self-care and self-healing (see for example: Simon & Graham, 2005; Capacchione, 1989; Goldstein, 1999; Cassou & Cubley, 1995). In one study, researchers used an art directive, draw a picture with a bird’s nest, and an assessment of attachment security (Francis, et. al., 2003). The bird’s nest acts as a metaphor for early family life. Because it doesn’t ask direct questions about the
Studies show that art therapy is effective in treating trauma (Naff, 2014). For decades, art therapy has also been incorporated into substance abuse treatment (Moore, 1983). Research findings suggest art therapy can be instrumental for addressing problems with addiction (Horay, 2006), such as reducing denial (Cox & Price, 1990), increasing self-expression (Moore, 1983), and reducing shame (Johnson, 1990). Art therapy can also help motivate clients to change (Holt & Kaiser, 2009) by moving them into a state of action (Matto, Corcoran, & Fassler, 2003). Furthermore, mental health problems may originate from experiences that happened before the child could talk. Art therapy is an effective way to access and process memories that are subconscious and non-verbal (Lusebrink, 2010). One of the most significant ways that art therapy aids clients in healing is that it creates the capacity to externalize the problem. By creating an image or object, clients can gain valuable emotional distance from their problems, allowing them to formulate alternative solutions more readily. Art therapy and personal art-making are also utilized extensively for self-care and self-healing (see for example: Simon & Graham, 2005; Capacchione, 1989; Goldstein, 1999; Cassou & Cubley, 1995). In one study, researchers used an art directive, draw a picture with a bird’s nest, and an assessment of attachment security (Francis, et. al., 2003). The bird’s nest acts as a metaphor for early family life. Because it doesn’t ask direct questions about the