A PERSPECTIVE:THE USE OF GUIDED IMAGERY AND DRAWINGS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN OF TRAUMA

Cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmaceuticals have traditionally been used to treat trauma-related anxiety in children. Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and meditative breathing with guided imagery have been used as alternative treatments to help reduce the nightmares, regain the sense of control, and rescript the negative internal dialogue created by the trauma-related anxiety. Combining drawing techniques with these mind-body therapies to treat trauma-related anxiety in children is explored as a possible method to better understand the way children perceive treatment and assess their own progress.