It’s not uncommon that when I talk about using expressive arts and activities as a tool for trauma healing, I get a confused look. Sometimes, followed up by the question “Well, I do enjoy painting, but I don’t see how that’s going to be helpful for my childhood trauma.” As children, we communicated through play and creative expression. When we reconnect with ourselves in this way, we can offer the younger “version” of ourselves healing, strength, and a beauty of life we didn’t know when stuck in survival mode. Walking away from an expressive arts therapy session, you may feel like you just connected with your younger self in a way your younger self wanted or wished for