Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
The MENA region’s pioneering Art Therapy Conference under the theme, “Empowering through Creativity” concluded its inaugural edition last week with a focus on art’s transformative influence on trauma.
The conference was organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Sheltering and Humanitarian Care (Ewaa), an affiliate of the Department of Community Development (DCD), and attended by number of dignitaries at Erth Hotel Abu Dhabi.
It hosted experts who shed light on the far-reaching applications of art therapy, techniques, and strategies in addressing various forms of trauma. The speakers offered an insightful journey into the world of art therapy, sharing their experiences, expertise, and methodologies that led to transformative outcomes for individuals and communities alike.
Sarah Shuhail, Director-General of Ewaa, said: “Art has been a fundamental form of human expression throughout the ages, surpassing cultural boundaries, languages, and backgrounds. In its many forms, it has the remarkable ability to convey emotions, experiences, and narratives that words alone often fail to capture.
“As the founder and supporter of this conference, I am deeply honoured to emphasise Ewaa’s steadfast commitment to creating a profound impact through the therapeutic potential of art.”
Dr. Awad Alyami from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delved into the journey of art therapy in GCC while also highlighting the challenges in its development.
“The concept of art as therapy is as old as human expression. The Arabian Peninsula is no different from other cultures in using art for healing and well-being prior to ideological enlightenment,” he said.
Carol Hammal, a distinguished expert from Egypt, presented a programme developed for women exposed to violence. She elaborated on its development in Egypt as well as the role of collective trauma in establishing it.
She said: “Over 70% of adults report exposure to trauma in 24 countries according to a World Mental Health Survey initiative. Hence, we introduced a four-day Intensive Art Therapy Intervention that combines both existential and psychodynamic approaches. Art is used as a process to understand emotions, address and externalise trauma then achieve resilience.”
Chris Storm, an Art Therapy specialist, shared insights into how sensory stimulation (sensorimotor) through art-making processes using hands could enhance contact and connection with oneself, providing self-nurturing and relaxation.
Elaborating on this approach, she said: “Sensorimotor Art Therapy has emerged in recent years as a term to describe body focused psychotherapies that use a bottom-up approach. It encourages the awareness of the implicit felt sense; how the muscles and viscera, the heart rate and breath shape our sense of being.
“With this heightened awareness of the embodied self, as you touch the clay, for example, it touches you. As you move your body, it moves you. Motor impulses and their sensory feedback define the core relationship of ourselves with the world.
“We can support sensory stimulation through any art-making process with the hands. It enhances contact and connection with oneself and provides self-nurturing. For example, the sensory connection with clay provides soothing support.”
Besides a number of speaker sessions, the conference featured two workshops, on “Healing trauma with guided drawing” and “How client-led spirituality in art psychotherapy can support trauma work”. The conference also featured an exhibition with nearly 100 artworks created by survivors of trafficking, violence and abuse.
