Key Takeaways Art therapy provides a nonverbal, creative outlet to explore identity and process complex emotions. It supports identity exploration, trauma recovery, narrative reconstruction, and self-compassion. Creative expression aids emotional regulation, resilience, and meaning-making. LGBTQIA+ individuals experience elevated rates of anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, loneliness, and suicidal ideation. These disparities are not inherent to LGBTQIA+ identities.

Key Takeaways Sexual trauma can deeply affect a survivor’s mind, body, and sense of safety long after the assault. Survivors may experience flashbacks, anxiety, emotional numbness, shame, and difficulty trusting others. Because trauma is often stored as emotions and sensations, talking about it can feel overwhelming. Art therapy allows survivors to express and process their pain through creative activities without relying only on words. By restoring a sense of control and emo