“Being a part of AWBW makes me feel supported and connected to this community of healers working to make this world a better place,” shares Patricia, an AWBW facilitator.

After being trained by AWBW in early 2017, Patricia and her colleague Katie began offering art workshops to survivors of domestic violence, as well as LGBTQ youth. These workshops were the first alternative group to talk therapy and education at their agency, The Nest.

In doing this work, they have fully embraced a trauma-informed approach. Patricia shares:

“I deal with very stressful and sometimes dangerous situations daily, but my role is to help with kindness and an open heart. … Being a facilitator reinforces the fact that every person is at a different point in their unique journey. Meeting clients where they are is crucial in understanding their needs and providing them the resources they need. Practicing trauma-informed care makes me more approachable to clients because they realize I am not standing from a point of judgement, but from that of understanding and help. … I provide a safe space where being their true selves is enough.”

Facilitating in a trauma-informed way also involves building trust through collaboration and mutuality. One way Patricia and Katie do this is to create art themselves during workshops. “Showing this vulnerability allows participants to be more comfortable with sharing their stories. Trust between participant and facilitator is built much more quickly,” Katie says. “Art workshops break down the defenses that many of our clients build up because of the trauma they have endured.”

Along with their weekly workshops, Patricia and Katie have organized special events, coordinated exhibits, and created videos to raise awareness in the community and empower their clients.