Page 27 - Desert Lightning News 12-4-15

Desert Lightning News December 4, 2015 27

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From THERAPY, Page 26

Acknowledging that healing arts might not benefit every service
member, because each case is individual, Woodson said the option
to enter the program should be included for all as an option to ex-
pand their therapy plan.

“The progress of creating can lead them places they otherwise
[might not] access,” he said. “It is safe to say we are all just begin-
ning to understand how engagement in the arts can change lives of
military members affected by traumatic brain injury to post-trau-
matic stress syndrome and other conditions. We know [the arts]
can be an extremely powerful tool in assisting with recovery.”

And there are many reasons why the DoD-NEW partnership is im-
portant, he noted.

Art Therapy Has Calming Effects
Studies show creating art can produce calming effects on invis-
ible wounds, because art therapy can decrease stress hormones,
which can relax and lessen anxiety – especially for those used to
staying hypervigilant in high-stress environments, Woodson said.
Creating art to express feelings and help them externalize what
they might have repressed for a long time can help return service
members to a normal existence, he added.
Because of what they’ve experienced, service members often
deal with a complex set of feelings and emotions that make it dif-
ficult to relate to people, Woodson said. The invisible wounds can
lead to feelings of shame, guilt and identity crises that might cause
them to retreat and engage in isolating behaviors,” he added.
“Art therapy is a lifeline out of that isolation,” the assistant secre-
tary said.

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