Dialoguing with your artwork: A powerful tool for healing
Arts therapy provides a unique way of working through emotions and experiences by using the creative process as a form of expression. One of the most powerful techniques within arts therapy is the use of externalisation through images and then engaging in a dialogue with these images. This article will explore why these methods are effective, supported by psychological theories and scientific research, and how they can be applied in your journey towards healing.
Why do we externalise through representations?
When we externalise emotions and experiences by creating images, we bring what is often internal, abstract, and difficult to express into the tangible, visible world. This allows us to step back and observe our experiences from a different perspective.
Externalisation helps in making overwhelming emotions more manageable. By creating a visual representation of feelings, memories, or experiences, individuals can gain a sense of control and distance from these emotions, which might otherwise feel all-consuming. This approach is especially helpful for those dealing with trauma, as traumatic memories are often stored in non-verbal parts of the brain, making them difficult to access through words alone.
Art-making activates different areas of the brain, particularly those involved in sensory processing, memory, and emotional regulation . By engaging in the creative process, we bypass the logical, verbal centres of the brain and access the limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions. This allows individuals to express complex feelings in a non-verbal way, providing a powerful outlet for those who struggle to articulate their experiences.
The psychological concept of externalisation was also developed by Michael White and David Epston within narrative therapy, where problems are seen as separate from the person. In arts therapy, creating an image can similarly help individuals see their issues as external entities, which can then be worked with, rather than feeling that they are an inherent and inescapable part of themselves.
Why do we dialogue with our images?
Once an image has been created, dialoguing with it allows for a deeper exploration of the emotions and experiences it represents. By treating the image as something that can communicate, we invite a two-way interaction. This helps us to better understand the different parts of ourselves, including those that are wounded or feel hopeless. Dialoguing can bring unconscious material to the surface, facilitating insight and healing.
The act of dialoguing with an image involves asking questions and listening to what emerges. This process draws on the approach, which focuses on experiential and relational meaning-making through art. By asking questions like, "What are you trying to tell me?" or "What do you need?" we invite self-compassion and curiosity, rather than judgement. This reflective dialogue can help individuals reframe their experiences, providing new perspectives and promoting emotional integration.
Neuroscientific studies have also shown that interacting with imagery can activate the brain's reward systems, promoting feelings of connection and well-being. By engaging with the image in a compassionate manner, individuals can rewire some of the negative neural pathways formed by past trauma, gradually replacing them with more positive, nurturing connections.
“Art opens the closets, airs out the cellars and attics. It brings healing.”
Using Dialogues to Heal: Prompts for Engaging with Your Artwork
When dealing with past trauma and negative thought patterns, the process of dialoguing with your images offers an opportunity to acknowledge and transform difficult feelings. It helps to bring compassion to the parts of you that may feel defeated or hopeless. Below, we offer nine prompts to help you engage in this dialogue, offering you a pathway towards empowerment and self-discovery.
Describe and Listen to Your Artwork
Begin by describing your artwork as if it is telling you about itself.
What shapes, colours, or figures stand out?
What mood does it convey?
Sit with your image for a few moments and listen.
What feelings does it hold?
Let each part of the image speak, and write down what comes to you without judgment.
2. Ask Questions to Understand Its Voice
Centre yourself, then ask the image questions to uncover its deeper meaning:
"What part of my past are you representing?"
"What do you want me to remember or learn?"
"What are you trying to tell me, and what do you need from me right now?
Let the answers emerge naturally, and respond to the image with curiosity and compassion.
3. Explore Relationships within the Artwork
Imagine each element of your artwork is a character from your past or a symbol of a particular experience. Engage in dialogue with these elements:
"What is your role in my story?"
"How do you influence me today?"
"Is there something you wish I knew or understood about you?"
4. Compassionate Witness
Take a compassionate stance and imagine the image is a child who needs care and understanding. Ask the image:
"What do you need to feel heard, understood, or accepted?"
"How can I support you?"
Allow yourself to visualize giving this support, whether it’s through words, colors, or changing an element in the artwork that offers the image comfort.
5. Movement and Transformation Through Time
Reflect on the movement of your story:
"Where does this image want to go?"
"If it could transform, what would it become?"
Use this visualisation to represent movement from feeling stuck to embracing change. Consider how shapes, colours, or figures in the artwork could evolve to signify growth and healing.
6. Trace the Journey of an Element
Choose a part of the image that stands out to you, such as a shape, colour, or pattern.
Trace its outline with your finger or draw it separately.
Reflect on its journey—where did it start, and where did it end?
How does this movement mirror your own experiences?
Write a brief dialogue as if the traced path were speaking about its journey.
7. Exploring Safety
Identify a part of the image that feels unsafe or unsettled.
Imagine what would help that part feel safer or more supported. This could be a color, shape, or even an added image.
Add this new element to your drawing, or simply visualise it if you prefer not to change the original artwork.
Dialogue with this new addition. How does it change the overall feeling of the image?
8. Change the Narrative of Negative Elements
Identify an element in your artwork that feels heavy or negative. Have a conversation:
"If I could help you feel differently, what would that be?"
Imagine altering this part - changing its colour, shape, or placement - and notice how it changes the story.
Let the original part and the new version interact, and reflect on the impact.
9. Release
After completing your dialogue, consider,
What would my future self say to the image?
What words of hope, understanding, or wisdom would be shared?
Let the image respond — does its appearance shift, or does it remain the same?
Is there anything you would like to change or add to the image now?
Lastly, what would you like to do with the image now? Trust yourself and respond in an intuitive way.
Important Tips for Engaging with Your Artwork
Remember:
Only do this process if it feels right for you, and revisit difficult parts when you feel more prepared.
You do not need to use all the prompts—only use the ones that resonate with you at this time.
Create a Safe Environment: Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus on your artwork without interruptions. Make sure you feel physically and emotionally safe before starting.
Take Your Time: There is no need to rush through this process. Take the time you need to connect with your image, listen to what it has to say, and reflect on your emotions.
Avoid Judgement: Allow yourself to express freely without judging your artwork or your feelings. The goal is to explore and understand, not to create something perfect. There is no right or wrong way to engage with your artwork.
Be Kind to Yourself: If difficult emotions arise, approach them with compassion. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel whatever comes up, and that you are here to support yourself.
Use Your Senses: Engage all your senses in the process. Notice the textures, colours, and even the smell of the materials. This sensory experience can help ground you in the present moment.
Reflect Afterwards: After completing the dialogue, take some time to reflect. Write down any insights or feelings that emerged. This can help consolidate the experience and make it more meaningful.
Take Breaks if Needed: If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it’s okay to take a break. You can always return to the artwork when you feel ready. If it feels too challenging, consider rather doing this work with your therapist.
Have Support Available: If engaging with the artwork brings up intense emotions, consider having a trusted person to talk to afterwards, or schedule a session with your therapist.
Respect Your Boundaries: If there are parts of the image that feel too difficult to engage with, it’s okay to set them aside for now. Only do this process if it feels right for you, and revisit difficult parts when you feel more prepared.
“Dialogue with images is an essential feature of the expressive arts. It turns a static representation into a dynamic process of interaction and insight.”
References
Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and His Symbols. Aldus Books.
Lusebrink, V. B. (2004). "Art Therapy and the Brain: An Attempt to Understand the Underlying Processes of Art Expression in Therapy." Art Therapy, 21(3), 125-135.
Malchiodi, C. A. (2015). Art Therapy and the Neuroscience of Relationships, Creativity, and Resiliency: Skills and Practices. Norton Professional Books.
Schore, A. N. (2019). Right Brain Psychotherapy. Norton & Company.
Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. Guilford Press.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
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