Susan Renwick

Project title: Exploring the use of response art for mitigating the effects of vicarious trauma for therapists working with First Nation clients.

Originally from the UK, Susan’s art practice developed during covid lockdowns. Unable to return to Queensland, during this period, she enrolled in an art course, something she had always wanted to do but never had. Here, Susan experienced firsthand the healing nature of art immersion and reflection.

Prior to this, Sue spent many years teaching First Nations people at Cairns TAFE, as well as counselling at the local women’s refuge service. In later years Sue taught at a Chinese University in Shanghai, as a career counsellor for an Australian University in Vietnam, a career counsellor in Bhutan and as a curriculum writer in Burma. These experiences ignited a passion for working cross culturally and for political change to alleviate personal troubles.

Experiencing the healing power of art firsthand, extending her skills in counselling and social work by finding out more about art therapy, seemed the obvious course to take. Currently working as a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor in an Australian First Nations community, art therapy offers a healing modality which is culturally appropriate and beneficial for people living with intergenerational trauma. These experiences highlight the need for selfcare for therapists working in remote communities and with people who have trauma backgrounds. Sue’s research and artwork is an extension of this awareness based on the use of art to reflect on vicarious trauma responses in the therapist.

The artwork in this exhibition focuses on Sue’s response art whilst working with clients experiencing trauma. These she sees as having a mitigating effect on vicarious trauma and burnout. Her art works are developed as an expression of feelings as she focuses on the session and the impact on her own emotions, memories and reactions to the clients’ stories. Pastels are used extensively as well as collage as a way to engage the senses and emotions and externalize the emotional reactions onto the paper. The research journey confirms not only the healing power of art, but also the ability of response art to provide insights into the trauma experiences of both client and therapist as they use empathy to journey together towards reconciliation and healing. Using response art practice immediately after therapeutic interactions provides for ongoing self-care, self-reflection and mitigates the effects of vicarious trauma. Sue would like to extend her research in future to further develop insight and experience in this field of practice.