Art Therapy: an Approach to Working with Sexual Abuse Survivors

Because sexual abuse is a recurring problem in our culture, it is likely that counselors and educators will encounter people who have been victimized by this type of abuse. Although there are a variety of therapeutic approaches for working with survivors, art therapy is one that may be less threatening. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of art therapy in raising levels of self-esteem in a group of sexual abuse survivors. Specifically, the following questions will be addressed: Will the use of art therapy significantly raise a survivor’s level of self-esteem? What aspects of self-esteem will be affected (personal, social, general)? What qualitative changes, if any, will take place in the group? The pilot study emerged from research on art therapy in group settings and the use of art therapy in raising self-esteem.