PEEKABOO! In Search of the Elephant in the Rubble: A Case Study of Art Psychotherapy with a Child Earthquake Survivor (English version)

Abstract

Children are particularly vulnerable when exposed to natural disasters. Beyond immediate harm, they may also suffer from long-term psychological deficits, especially those who have experienced insecure attachment during early childhood. Taiwan frequently experiences damaging natural disasters, including earthquakes and typhoons. This paper explores the object-relations approach to art psychotherapy intervention from a cultural perspective. A case study is presented, detailing the journey of art psychotherapy with a 7-year-old earthquake survivor who suffered from acute post-traumatic stress symptoms, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance.

This case study illustrates how the child externalised traumatic experiences and represented them through repetitive symbolic play and art-making. This repetition provided a space for the child to reenact, regress, and redefine the traumatic events. The paper discusses how the art therapist created a secure holding environment by preparing art materials, enduring the child’s attacks, and collaboratively exploring the multiple layers of trauma.

Key words

Natural Disaster, Earthquake, Art psychotherapy, Repetitive symbolic play, Object relations theory, Taiwan