Abstract

This theoretical intervention paper proposes a community art therapy program which could be utilized following a traumatic event in a BIPOC community. Mental health services are often inaccessible within BIPOC communities and when accessible, are not always trauma informed and culturally sensitive. Group art therapy holds the potential of offering shared experience and support to BIPOC following a community trauma. Additionally, it is hoped that this will in turn, lower the risk of developing PTSD. Using steps one and two of Fraser & Galinsky’s (2010) fives step model, I compile and synthesize pertinent existing research between art therapy, psychotherapy with BIPOC, trauma informed care, existing community art therapy interventions, etc., to propose a 5-week, 10 session community based art therapy program for BIPOC following a traumatic event in the community. This is followed by a discission on findings, conclusion, and future recommendations.
Keywords: art therapy, psychotherapy, trauma, intervention and BIPOC