We are thrilled to announce that our new workbook, Transform Stress, Crisis and Trauma through Creativity: An Art Therapy and Writing Workbook to Activate Wellness Strategies, is being published by the Traumatic Stress Institute/Sidran Press.
We developed and refined this workbook over seven years during which political upheaval and division, terrorism, wars, famine, gun violence, economic issues, and the pandemic were occurring. We felt that in today's highly-connected world, the prevalence of individual and collective stress is much more evident, affecting all of us in greater ways than ever before. Through our work with hundreds of individuals and diverse groups – in private practice, trauma and rape crisis centers, addiction treatment programs, medical facilities, wellness retreat centers, as well as hospice, school, corporate, and prison settings – we grew to believe that:
- Collective stressors wear us down. While wide-scale events affecting many people have always existed, the growth of interconnectedness on screen via social media, combined with the "big T" Trauma and reduction of in-person contact during the pandemic, seems to have amped up both the volume and emotional impact of collective stressors.
- Personal stressors – whether mild, moderate, or severe – add to the taxing picture. No one can be totally free from stress, but everyone can learn to better manage their stress. The need for more effective and alternative ways to acknowledge, explore, and transform the impact of everyday stress in our lives is crucial for our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
- Many of us find it hard to voice difficult thoughts and feelings. Art and creative writing offer alternative forms of expression. Artmaking gives line, shape, and color to thoughts and emotions that don't have physical form in themselves and lends a sense of control to what often seems out of control. It allows us to view others, the world, and ourselves in relatively non-threatening ways. Creative writing enhances imagination and expands meaning, letting us venture farther into our creative minds.
Our primary intentions when writing this book were to improve our readers' overall wellbeing during these challenging times while envisioning a better future for our world. This innovative book features 24 art and creative writing projects for adults and teens to reduce stress, manage crisis, and promote trauma recovery. Numerous images and phrases are also provided to use when completing the projects. Reflective questions and suggestions help to clarify and organize thoughts to formulate and customize stress-relieving and life-enhancing strategies. Non-artists, non-writers, dabblers, as well as more experienced artmakers and writers can benefit from this workbook. Mental health practitioners may also find it helpful to use as a resource with individuals and groups.
Each step-by-step project was carefully designed during our professional and volunteer work with students, educators, business leaders, factory workers, healthcare providers, law enforcement personnel, military veterans, therapists, retirees, parents, and caretakers. Their feedback, insights, and wisdom enhanced the final version of this workbook. Evidence-based treatment methods and discoveries in our own artmaking and creative writing processes were woven into the projects.
Our previous workbook, Managing Traumatic Stress through Art, written with Barry Cohen and first published in 1995 by Sidran Press, continues to be in print and is recognized as a valuable resource in the field of trauma-informed art therapy. We believe our new workbook expands on that original work and can increase one's creativity while providing some inspired and effective tools to manage and transform the impact of everyday stress, crisis, and/or individual and collective trauma.
