ART HEALS TRAUMA with Dr. Ericha Scott
The Art of Healing: Dr. Ericha Scott’s Innovative Approach to Trauma Therapy
In a world increasingly aware of the complexities of trauma, Dr. Ericha Scott stands out as a therapist of innovative healing. Her journey from professional artist to renowned trauma therapist is a symbol of the transformative power of art and its ability to unlock the deepest recesses of the human psyche.
Dr. Scott’s unique approach, as showcased in a recent interview, seamlessly blends evidence-based therapeutic practices with creative expression. A Registered Expressive Art Therapist (REAT) and board-certified registered art therapist (ATR-BC), Dr. Scott holds a license as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California. She is also an Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in California (LAADC).
From Art to Therapy: A Transformative Journey
Dr. Scott’s path to therapy began in the world of art, where she worked as an artist, teacher, and museum curator. This artistic foundation proved invaluable when she discovered the therapeutic potential of art at a rehab center. Recognizing art’s ability to bypass defenses and facilitate emotional expression, she embarked on a new career, earning an honorary title of Fellow from The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), the oldest professional agency for trauma in the world.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
Dr. Scott’s therapeutic toolkit includes a diverse range of artistic modalities, from drawing and painting to writing, psychodrama, and chair work. She is particularly known for her use of “body mapping,” a technique where clients trace their bodies and visually represent their life stories, emotions, and traumas. This innovative approach helps clients connect their physical and emotional experiences, fostering deeper self-awareness and healing.
The Power of Poetry and Mysticism
Dr. Scott also incorporates poetry into her practice, viewing it as a form of meditation that engages the subconscious. She believes that the subconscious communicates through images, symbols, and metaphors, making creative arts essential in the healing process. Her approach balances mystical elements like prayer and intuition with evidence-based practices, demonstrating a commitment to holistic well-being.
Recognized Expertise and Contributions
Dr. Scott’s expertise has been recognized through numerous accolades and publications. She received the Sierra Tucson treatment center Alumni Recognition Award in 2006 for her therapeutic care provided to trauma patients. Her research on trauma, dissociation, and self-mutilation was published in the Journal of the Arts in Psychotherapy (UCLA) in 1999. She also co-authored chapters in Integrative Addiction Recovery (Oxford University Press, 2018) and contributed to The Psychology of Addiction (Taylor and Francis).
A Legacy of Healing
Dr. Ericha Scott’s dedication to healing and her innovative integration of art and therapy have transformed countless lives. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of creative expression on mental and emotional well-being.
Would you like to know more about Dr. Ericha Scott?
For more information visit: https://artspeaksoutloud.org/ and watch this compelling interview with Nathan Hassall on TRAUMA THERAPIST: How Art Saves Lives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jdYZieS-Nk
About the author
An authentic, dedicated, passionate, licensed psychotherapist, with additional certifications as a creative and expressive arts healer and as an interfaith spiritual director. In addition, she is an author, artist and advocate for disempowered populations. Dr. Scott is a healer who walks the fine line between mysticism and evidenced-based psychotherapy. For 39 years, she has worked with those who struggle with substance and behavioral use disorders, survivors of trauma, complex trauma, torture, dissociation, and victims of sex trafficking.
She is an honorary Fellow for the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Her commitment to health, wellness, and “art as medicine” includes experiential teaching for medical doctors, professional clinicians, the public, and her own personal health journey. Her investment in social change via the arts across the world includes travel, presentations, collaboration, and cultural exchange in 4 continents. Her worldwide creative and spiritual workshops bring hope and healing to diverse populations.
A number of her academic publications and lectures have been translated into Prussian, Arabic, and Czechoslovakian.
“I give the credit for my success to the power of art to heal and transform even the most challenging problems.”
What are people saying about Dr. Scott?
“Having followed Dr. Ericha Scott’s writing and enjoyed the privilege of collaborating with her in clinical practice, I can wholeheartedly attest to her penetrating ability to inspire her readers and her clients to dig deep and let their truth shine unabashedly. Dr. Scott wields a sharp intellect with the power to pierce through the haze, combined with an artistry and softness that brings out the mystical. It is her love and passion that I believe gives her the courage to see the self in all its light and shadow and to help others aspire to their highest selves. In this current work, one cannot come away without feeling truly touched and opened.”
- Robert Krochmal, MD, Integrative Wellness
“Anyone reading her work will be touched, as she imparts her truth so willingly and generously.”
- Megan Plumridge
A Faithful Fan and Author
“I have known [Dr. Scott] for a very long time, and I can attest to her creative gifts; she is an amazing artist, as well as a gifted writer. Most people with her talents would have focused on themselves and their success, but for Dr. Scott, caring about others was always foremost in her life, her thoughts, and her career.”
- Gayle Prather, Author
