Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Students, NSU Faculty Discussed Art and Therapy

In February, some Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Students joined NSU College of Psychology faculty for a panel discussion on art that the students created after the school shooting that changed their lives.

“I wanted a calming, easy way to distract myself, so I started painting in December 2018,” said Olivia Feldman, who was in her sophomore year at the time of the shooting and graduated from MSD this year. “It clears my mind and helps me feel happy.”

Feldman said some of her school friends also turned to art, and she said participating in the panel helped them express some closure over the shooting before going their separate ways in college.

“Not everybody has either the desire or the ability to verbally process a trauma, and of a mass shooting, because you’re trying to make sense out of something that is a senseless act of violence,” said panelist Tara Jungersen, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Counseling. “I think that’s where art therapy is beneficial.”

Full story: https://psychology.nova.edu/news-events/2020/cop-msd.html