My current research explores environmental notions of “safe spaces” as defined by adult survivors of childhood sexual trauma. I work with participants to draw (freehand) mental maps of their everyday spaces before we craft artful environmental narratives that explore participant perceptions (of the actual features , people, objects, code of conduct that make any) of those spaces feel like “safe spaces”. The final part of the project consolidates the safe features of those everyday safe spaces into a cohesive, even if idealized safe space. Whereas cognitive behavioral therapies will ask clients to create an imagined safe space for holding challenging thoughts and emotions, and artworks are created for process rather than the end result, this project / technique will allow participants to create a beautiful objects that reflect the safest features of real places they inhabit.
An ironic symbol from JK's environmental narrative in the Park
This project will create a new method and orientation to healing the unique traumas of people whose most intimate boundaries have been trespassed upon. As a teaching artist I am prepared to facilitate the creation of artful personal projects; my background in Environmental Psychology “qualifies” me to lead participants through environmental narratives that account for the people, objects and social norms found in their everyday spaces. My specialization in storytelling will only deepen participant immersion in and production of *wholistic* narratives that will hopefully serve them long after our session.
Narrative Projects can take many forms: books, digital stories, hand-made talismanic jewelry and props, dioramas, crochet (lessons for crochet would be separate), paper-making and collage, etc. Although this is not a formally therapeutic engagement, I have found in pilot testing that the combination of creative process, self-expression and sacred listening disengages the superego to allow the person to deeply converse with their inner and future self while they create beautiful objects for later use and contemplation.
