"Art gives some of us a way out — a way through the pain — a way to speak our truths and thereby a way to reclaim our 'Selves'. Words on paper, paint, clay, crayons, photographic images, collage and more offer safe vehicles for expression. Once expressed in visual form we see, in fact, that something can contain the pain. We can tear it up, smash it, throw it away. The pain gets smaller. Sometimes once we can "see" how we feel, we can cry, rage, vent. With each mark on the page we reclaim ourselves." (Chapter Eight: A Way Out — Healing Through Creative Expression)

HEALING RITUALS

For many trauma survivors, finding something to believe in and trust can be hard, regardless of religious identity. For others, their religious connections during childhood helped them hold themselves together. Throughout the book you'll find examples of rituals that help heal and inspire. See especially:

Finding Something to Believe In - Religion, Spirituality and Cultural Identity (Chapter 10)

Survival and Recovery - Jewish Women Confront Abuse, Marcia Cohn Spiegel (Chapter 11)

In Sukkoth of Healing from Domestic Violence, Adrienne Affleck (Appendix E) presents a ritual created by and for women in a domestic violence survivor support group. The ritual revolves around Sukkoth which is a…
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