What does safety look like? Implications for a preliminary resource and regulation-focused art therapy assessment tool

Abstract

In this article, the author discusses the identification of defining characteristics in pictorial artefacts based upon a pre-understanding of traumatization, dissociation and recovery, metaphorical processing, and pictorial semiotics. Signs of reduced arousal, increased positive affect and states, self-efficacy, and self-esteem, are considered important parameters when assessing pictorial artefacts conducted in therapy. These signs, related to overcoming traumatization and a re-established experience of safety, as well as the concept of neuroception, should be easily identifiable via the use of appropriately designed assessment tools. We tested this hypothesis on a series of non-clinical material consisting of drawings produced by 122 experienced clinicians. Through the identification of defining concepts in artwork, we developed a preliminary assessment tool with the aims of guiding clinicians in identifying perceptions of fright in relation to safety and in facilitating the nurturing of safe states in clients when conducting pictorial artefacts. This tool consists of plain observation and subjective appraisal combined with the identification of seven predefined perspectives; how is the picture made, colour utilization, depiction of states and body positions, which affects/emotions, symbols and secondary metaphors/symbols for the self can be recognized in relation to a neuroception of threat with respect to safety.