Art Therapy With Children Who Witnessed Domestic Violence: The Bird’s Nest Sculpture

This art-based, multiple-case study explored the value and meaning of a brief art therapy encounter with 4 individual children, ages 5 to 8, who have been witnesses to domestic violence. The children have been receiving services from the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk, but were not currently being exposed to domestic violence. Participants were recommended for this study by their counselors, who anticipated that they would benefit from the art therapy activity of constructing a bird’s nest sculpture with mixed media. The literature review showed a gap regarding the use of art therapy as a treatment method for children who witnessed interparental violence. Given the negative consequences of witnessing domestic violence and considering the unique characteristics of art therapy to provide a medium for expression of feelings and thoughts, the researcher explored how constructing a bird’s nest could provide these children opportunities to externalize their experience of home and family. The researcher evaluated how symbolic expression helped these children to sublimate their internal experiences and reflect on their perception of domestic violence in their family within a therapeutic setting. Each case was analyzed independently, followed by a systematic comparison of cases. The findings showed that the children were able to express their feelings and give them new meaning. The three-dimensional bird’s nest construction provided the children a measure of control over experiences and emotions they cannot control in their everyday life, and provided an opportunity to build confidence and hope that their family situation will be better in the future. This single, brief art therapy encounter was instrumental in concretizing participants’ inner resilience, desire for healing, and transformation through adversity.