Healing from Clinical Trauma Using Creative Mindfulness Techniques: A Workbook of Tools and Applications

This workbook offers diverse strengths-based tools to incorporate the Creative Mindfulness Technique (CMT) into clinical practice. It provides an essential understanding of the ethical scope of practice, ensuring that clinicians consider the depth of their own training in the implementation of the CMT art directives.

Chapters explore aspects such as attachment and art therapy, multicultural considerations when using art with clients, mindfulness, the eight dimensions of wellness, and the application of CMT techniques with clients affected by PTSD, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The creative activities, mindfulness approaches, and arts-based exercises provided support the healing process of clients in ways that are accessible, practical, and easy to execute. Examples of activities include guided imageries with art-making, art journaling directives, and mixed media prompts. Through these exercises, clients will learn to draw upon their strengths and feel empowered in their daily lives.

People with PTSD/clinical trauma, stress, addiction, and anxiety, and clinicians and mental health practitioners working with them will find this book to be an essential tool. Readers may also be interested in Creative Mindfulness Techniques for Clinical Trauma Work: Insights and Applications for Mental Health Practitioners, which can be used on its own or as a companion to this book.

Corinna M. Costello, Ph.D., LCMHCS, ATR-BC is the director of student support and a core faculty member of clinical mental health at The Family Institute of Northwestern University. Dr. Costello also practices art therapy. She contributed chapters for The Neuroeducation Toolbox and Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. She has also written and presented extensively on PTSD, anxiety, resiliency, mindfulness, and art therapy.

Beth Ann Short LCAT, ATR-BC (they/them) is a licensed certified art therapist in Oregon and an adjunct professor in art therapy at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and at Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington. Short authored Creative Wellness: Art Journaling with Mindfulness in 2016. Short is also a fine artist who has exhibited art both internationally and in publications.