Children of the Stones: Art Therapy Interventions in the West Bank

This article reports on art therapy interventions with children, families, and mental health workers, who were experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder syndrome as a result of the military conflicts in the West Bank and Gaza. Through references to mental health literature regarding art therapy with individuals in war zones, the psychological effects of war and violence on children and their families are identified. The author describes art therapy in six mental health clinics. The artwork from participants in group workshops helped to open lines of communication among people enduring attempts at reconstruction and rehabilitation of their society. The article ends by describing follow-up plans to promote empathic dialogue among mental health workers in the different cultures.