Trauma & Art

The wall of manipulation

Listening to music can be a therapeutic way to overcome thoughts and triggers associated to traumatic events and to release pent up emotions. Ross and Halpern claim ‘music therapy can be used for relaxation, internal soothing of parts, de-escalation from more intense groups or therapy work, and as a gift to self that helps to reverse self-hatred, self-abuse, and low self-esteem. Inspirational recovery songs can help with motivation, and can help instill a belief that recovery is realistically possible. Other songs movingly explore various trauma themes: they mobilize intense feelings that are then worked on, processed, and desensitized. In this regard, music therapy is another experiential device for activating feelings’.

Trauma Model Therapy: A Treatment Approach for Trauma Dissociation and Complex Comorbidity by Colin A Ross & Naomi Halpern (2011-10-24, Kindle Edition

Me and a gun by Tori Amos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjlWFjX1Yw

Tori Amos is a song writer and singer who formed a partnership with Scott Berkowitz to create the RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) in 1994. This is part of her announcement: ‘Hi, I’m Tori Amos, and in my debut solo album Little Earthquakes there’s a song that’s pretty special to me called ‘Me and a Gun.’ It’s about a violent attack that happened several years ago to me. Atlantic Records has helped me set up a nationwide 24-hour toll-free hotline for survivors of sexual assault’ (Tori Amos, Public Service Announcement, 1994)

Break your heart by Natalie Merchant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0McnYiODo0Q

Extract from song lyrics:

Ι know that it will hurt
I know that it will break your heart……

People struggle, people fight
For the simple pleasures in their life
Trouble comes from everywhere
It’s a little more than you can bear

People shallow, self absorbed
See the push and shove for their rewards
With nothing nice on their minds
You can read about it in their eyes

People ruthless, people cruel
The damage that some people do
Full of hatred, full of pride
It’s enough to make you lose your mind

Don’t spread the discontent
Don’t spread the lies
Don’t make the same mistakes
With your own life
You know a little love survives

And don’t disrespect yourself
Don’t lose your pride
And don’t think everybody’s
Gonna choose your side

Maggie and Milly and Molly and May sung by Natalie Merchant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6onOJ7qajWI

 Extract from song lyrics:

May came home with a smooth round stone
As small as a world and as large as alone
For whatever we lose like a you or a me
It’s always ourselves that we find at the sea