What happens to art therapy clients when they move from a private therapeutic setting to the public realm to further understand, explore and resolve their trauma? Bearing Witness is part of a doctoral dissertation project, explored the therapeutic value of sharing artwork in a public exhibition by women who experienced trauma through the death of a child, infertility, or miscarriage.
Arts based research was used in the production of this film, specifically exploring the ethics of sharing artwork in trauma treatment and defined how intersubjectivity may influence practice as a means of communication. While some participants chose not to share in order to protect others from their pain, there are various permutations of sharing artwork that support the process of reintegration along with other therapeutic benefits from participation in a supportive community show. Additionally, response art can be used as an integral nonverbal component of didactic attunement to support the therapeutic relationship.
