Narrative Art Therapy is a creative, trauma-focused approach that uses narrative techniques to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences. Based on neurobiological research, it combines the dual brain theory and the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) model developed by Linda Gantt and Laura Greenstone in 2016. Narrative Art Therapy takes inspiration from the work of Narrative Therapy co-founders, Michael White and David Epston.

Narrative therapy views problems as separate from people, meaning that a person is not defined by their issues, struggles, or what they’ve experienced. Of course, the experience may have shaped them, but it does not define them or their life trajectory. This is what is referred to as ‘externalising’ a problem from the person. When we externalise, we are left with a lot more room to recognise the variety of skills, abilities, values, and beliefs we possess, and which can help us to name and reduce the influence of any dominant problem or "story" in our lives (Morgan, 2000). This lens allows us to reframe our experiences, find new meanings (referred to as ‘unique outcomes’), and develop a more preferred storyline about who we are and what we are capable of.

For more learning on Narrative Therapy, please navigate to the Dulwich Centre’s website for a wealth of information and resources.

Comic Art Therapy

I am a passionate advocate for Comic Art Therapy and the Graphic Medicine field, which is “the intersection between the field of comics and the discourse of healthcare” (Graphic Medicine, 2024). I entered the field of Art Therapy through my diary comic memoirs I started making in the midst of a period of uncertainty in my life. My personal comics started to explore my experiences of mental health, identity, and relationships. I read comics to gain insight into others' experiences and create them to better understand my own. When I work with others, I always try incorporate my background in creative writing, filmmaking, and comic art to support them in their personal growth. My approach varies with each client and session, and although I am no expert, my goal remains the same: to help them recognise and use storytelling and narrative means to navigate dominant stories in their lives; understand the impact of trauma on the brain and body; and discover preferred ways for them to reframe experiences through a rich and multifaceted medium.

Comic Art Therapy harnesses the power of creating comics, zines, or graphic novels as a therapeutic medium. This approach allows people to combine imagery and text to explore and express deeply personal yet often universally relatable themes. The therapeutic impact of comics stems from their ability to elevate personal narratives through distinctive storytelling methods, fostering empathy, autonomy, and a profound respect for intersectional experiences. My admiration for comics is rooted in their accessibility and their celebration of diversity. Just as no two human experiences are alike, no two comics are identical, even if they address similar events or are re-created by the same author after a period of time.

The elements of a comic provide deep insight into an individual’s internal state and thought processes. The task of crafting comics requires tackling various problem-solving questions simultaneously, such as dialogue, panel layout, pacing, and artistic style. The creative feat not only involves making choices about visual and narrative components and their relationship but also reflects one’s psychological state and methods for addressing such challenges. By creating and workshopping comics with an Art Therapist, people can examine how their work aligns with their sociocultural and political values. It offers an opportunity that promotes self-compassion and helps to identify emerging patterns, biases, and preferences we may unknowingly possess. This unique blend of structure and creativity provides a valuable framework for personal exploration, making comics powerful tools for self-determination, reflection, expression, and connection.

Unlike traditional prose, comics involve filling in gaps between images (the gutters), making these spaces a necessary part of the overall narrative. I relate these gutters to how traumatic memories are stored in the brain and how our interpretations constantly change as a result of our continuous experiences. I find this aspect of comics especially meaningful as it highlights a key part of art therapy: that the process is just as important as the product.

Today, I create and publish diary comics about my experiences as an Art Therapist on Webtoon, ‘Guttered’. Guttered offers a glimpse into the diverse art therapy studios I’ve worked in, with client stories and characters being altered for confidentiality.

If you're interested in exploring comic art therapy, book a session with me or join Nectar’s monthly storytelling group, Gutter Group. No prior experience with reading or creating comics is needed, and there are no age restrictions. Just like Art Therapy, comics are for everyone.

References

Gantt, L., & Greenstone, L. (2016). Narrative art therapy in trauma treatment. In Rubin, J. (Ed.), Approaches to art therapy: Theory and technique (3rd ed., pp. 353-370). Taylor & Francis Group.

Graphic Medicine. (2024, July 29). What is “Graphic Medicine”. https://www.graphicmedicine.org/why-graphic-medicine/.

Morgan, A. (2000). What is narrative therapy? An easy-to-read introduction. Dulwich Centre Publications.

McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Tundra Publishing.

Siegel, D. J. (2003). Toward an interpersonal neurobiology of the developing mind: Attachment relationships, “mindsight”, and neural integration. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1-2), 67-94.

Some examples of my Graphic Medicine individual and group work with children and adult clients (shared with consent):