Mask from National Intrepid Center of Excellence Art Therapy Program
Art & Healing PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represent significant burdens for those afflicted, as well as their caregivers and military and civilian healthcare delivery systems.
Given this suffering and strain, new approaches to address the treatment of PTSD & TBI are urgently needed to help active service members thrive while performing their duties, and also to ensure they integrate safely with society while off-duty or when they make the transition to veteran status.
» Read the Complete PTSD Program Overview
- Can Art Be Medicine?
- Jason’s Story
- Robbie’s Story
 |
When Wil Traub became sick with blood cancer, he didn’t put down his camera. Instead of photographing architecture with heavy, professional-grade cameras, he photographed his experience in the hospital and then recovering at home with a simple point-and-shoot. The focus of the art work kept him sane during a very difficult period, he says. |
May 15-18, 2012: Integrative Medicine & Health Conference.
Foundation president Jeremy Nobel will be speaking on the science behind creative expression at the Integrative Medicine & Health conference in Portland, OR on May 15-18, 2012. The conference brings together healthcare professionals across disciplines to share therapeutic approaches.
Learn more>
 |
Harlan Krumholz MD, SM“If we can demonstrate that emotion affects outcomes and art affects emotion, then a logical path to better outcomes would involve more attention to engaging people in artistic pursuits.” |
 |
Edward Hirsch“Poetry (whose root is the Greek poesis or ‘making’) both reflects our own experience and transforms it. The activity of making something artistically is transformative but not entirely rational. Individuals take their obsession, grief, pain and hope and try to turn it into something. This ‘making’ may not result in a cure but it is ultimately healing.” |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cancer patient uses spray paint as creative medium to help cope. http://t.co/0UBCCg0A
Artist & occupational therapist collaborate in a workshop that helps people explore health living: http://t.co/9MI533ZV #arttherapy
UCLA student integrates art into mental health therapy: http://t.co/vJ4VH2x5
#Arttherapy program in New York City teams up at-risk foster kids with established artists: http://t.co/GrxbFXTW