Wellness Through Art: Coping with PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects a wide demographic. We hold a soft spot for veterans, abuse survivors, and all those who have served – even if you don’t consider yourself a vet because you never saw combat.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a frightening, distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience, which is categorized as complex PTSD, or CPTSD.

Types of events that can lead to PTSD include:

• serious accidents
• physical or sexual assault
• abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse
• exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure
• serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care
• childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby
• the death of someone close to you
• war and conflict
• torture

PTSD develops in about 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma, and those who have depression and/or anxiety without much family support are more likely to develop PTSD after a distressing event.

People with PTSD continue to produce high amounts of fight or flight hormones, even when there’s no danger.

We are here to help those feeling distressed, anxious, and alone find a sense of community and emotional release through artistic mediums.

Designed to improve motor functions, foster self-esteem, build emotional resilience, and enhance social skills, Art Therapists work with people seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth.

By definition, “Art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language.”

Through the creation of art, Wellness Through Art classes, enrich the lives of individuals and the community and presents a myriad of tools combining the creative process, psychological theory, and the human experience to help individuals cope, blossom, and heal.

About the Instructor: Heather Hostetter, MA, MBA, ATR-BC, LPC is a local Art Therapist and artist with over 25 years of helping the community cope and strive towards wellness with the process of creating together.

About the Instructor: Heather Hostetter, MA, MBA, ATR-BC, LPC is a local Art Therapist and artist with over 25 years of helping the community cope and strive towards wellness with the process of creating together.

Session Fee: $25.00 ($20.00 with Military ID)

Session Length: 90 minutes