Trauma-Informed Art Workshop

Artistic and creative expression have been shown to be an effective way for trauma survivors to process their trauma and express their emotions. Any and all survivors are welcome to register to join us for this free, virtual event. Join a group of survivors led by the PAVE staff as we follow art prompts to explore our emotions around our trauma and experiences as survivors. This group is not for therapy purposes. Resources will be provided to participants for emergency support. Registering once gains you access to all upcoming Art Workshops and our Survivor Support Newsletter, so you will only need to register one time. Before registering, be sure to read our Requirements and Guidelines below.

Upcoming Trauma-Informed Art Workshops

    Requirements and Guidelines

    By registering for the Trauma-Informed Art Workshop, you agree to abide by the following requirements and guidelines, and understand that violation of the requirements and guidelines may result in a permanent removal from our support spaces.

    Requirements

    • This group is for adults only 18+.
    • All adults are welcome, regardless of identity (race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, etc).
    • This group is NOT therapy.
    • This group is for survivors of all types of sexual violence (stay tuned for info on groups for loved ones, teachers, parents, etc.).
    • There is no vetting process to join the group, but you must register via Zoom
      • registration details via Zoom will only be available to Survivors.org, and attendees may use pseudonyms during the group.
    • The only materials you will need to participate are something to draw with, such as a pen, colored pencils, or paint, and something to draw on, like a piece of paper or a tablet.
    • Sharing stories of sexual assault is not required, and, in fact, Survivors.org encourages attendees to discuss coping and emotions as opposed to detailed stories of assault.
    • Survivors.org staff is subject to mandatory reporting, so personally identifiable disclosures of the abuse of children, the elderly, and/or vulnerable adults will be reported to the appropriate state agency.
    • All individuals must register. If two people are sharing the same computer, they need to both register.

    Guidelines

    Joining this group means you agree to these guidelines. Anyone who does not abide by these guidelines will be given a warning, and if the behavior continues, they will be removed from the group at the facilitator’s discretion. If a person commits any acts of violence or harassment against other members, they will be immediately removed and not welcome back into the group. Survivors.org cannot guarantee a safe space in all circumstances, but it strives to create a space that is as safe as possible for all survivors.

    • Cameras are not required to be on during meetings, but they are encouraged.
    • Participants do not need to share their art, but are more than welcome to do so.
    • Please refrain from speaking when others are speaking.
    • Please respect everyone’s experience and healing.
    • No judgment.
    • For additional guidelines, please view PAVE’s Community Guidelines
    • We will not share attendee information with anyone outside of the organization.
    • We will adjust these guidelines and requirements as needed.
    • If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines, please contact Ashley Badgley, [email protected]

    What does it mean to be trauma-informed?

    • To acknowledge the need to understand someone’s life experiences in order to help provide support
    • To recognize and acknowledge the prevalence of trauma in our society and use this knowledge to support people, not retraumatize them
    We are trauma-informed when we:
    • Realize widespread impact of trauma
    • Recognize potential signs and symptoms of trauma
    • Respond by using our knowledge
    • Resist retraumatization

    What is trauma-informed art?

    • Trauma-informed art and expression through art does not retraumatize.
    • Creating art in a way that is careful, empathetic, and deliberate in regards to an individual’s, or a community’s, experience and exposure to traumatic events.
    • Art that emphasizes the process over the product.
    • Trigger/Activation warnings are not enough. We must hold space for each other.
    • How we create art about other people’s trauma and how we create art about our trauma is the same. We deserve the same empathy and respect we give to others.

    Reminders:

    • You can create art about trauma without retraumatizing yourself.
    • You don’t owe anyone your story.
    • You don’t need to relive trauma for other people’s entertainment.
    • It’s about the process, not the product!

    Register For Free

    Related

    • Black Survivors Discussing Mental Health

      July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which intends to bring attention to the unique…

      Learn More abouthttps://www.survivors.org/black-survivors-and-mental-health/

    • Grounding Using The Five Senses

      Being grounded refers to having a stable mental and emotional state, as well as being…

      Learn More abouthttps://www.survivors.org/grounding-using-the-five-senses/

    • What is Dissociation?

      Dissociation is a mental process that causes a disconnect between different cognitive processes such as…

      Learn More abouthttps://www.survivors.org/what-is-dissociation/