Cecilia’s Secret to Healing

Cecilia and her best friend took an art therapy class together in college, never expecting how deeply it would impact them. What started as an elective soon became a window into healing—a powerful tool for expression, reflection, and restoration.

Art therapy, as a formal practice, began in the mid-20th century, though the idea of using art for healing has existed for centuries. In the 1940s, British artist Adrian Hill, while recovering from tuberculosis, discovered the therapeutic power of creating art. His experience led to the birth of art therapy as a profession, and in 1969, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) was founded to support its growth. Today, art therapy is widely used in hospitals, trauma recovery centers, mental health clinics, and community programs, particularly for individuals dealing with PTSD, abuse, and emotional distress.

For women who have experienced trauma, art therapy is more than just a creative outlet—it’s a lifeline. Trauma often silences its victims, making it difficult to put emotions into words. But art allows for a different kind of expression—one without pressure, one without judgment. A swirl of color, a stroke of paint, or even a scribble can communicate what words cannot.

Engaging in art has been shown to reduce anxiety and PTSD symptoms by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) and increasing dopamine, which fosters relaxation and well-being. It helps survivors regain a sense of control—something trauma often strips away—by allowing them to make their own choices in what they create. Through this process, many rediscover their sense of self, building confidence and reconnecting with their identity.

But art therapy is about more than just individual healing. In group settings, it fosters connection. I have had the privilege of sitting around a table with women who had survived sexual abuse, giving them cards to finger paint with. It was incredible to see how, as their hands moved across the paper, their voices followed. They painted, they shared, and most importantly, they felt heard.

Art therapy isn’t about talent—it’s about transformation. It offers a path to healing, empowerment, and freedom, proving that even in the aftermath of trauma, beauty can still emerge.