N/NY-0325 – Connecting the Hearts and Minds of Grieving Inner-City Youth Through Art Therapy

Description

Using a case vignettes in an art therapy bereavement program, this presentation examines the relationship between grief and aggression in adolescents, particularly in response to violent and traumatic deaths. The program illustrated to place emphasis on rituals and closure, development of empathic social connections, and potential reduction of aggressive symptoms.

Learning Objectives

Identify frameworks for using art therapy with marginalized populations and in a bereavement in school setting.
Define the complicated signs and symptoms of the consolidation of aggression and grief.
Recount a variety of methods for working with children and adolescents from a variety of cultural and marginalized backgrounds.

Dr. Rachel Nelms

Rachel Nelms, PhD, MAAT, ATR-BC, LCPC, CADC,is currently working on her research regarding children’s grief and the relationship between grief and aggression, particularly in violence saturated urban areas. Rachel holds in Art Therapy and Counseling from Adler University and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Rachel is a registered art therapist, licensed professional counselor, and certified drug and alcohol counselor. She is interested in continuing her work provides art therapy and bereavement counseling support groups for children and families experiencing loss and grief, particularly those who are victims of the violence inherent in the Chicagoland area