About TANT™

About Trauma Art Narrative Therapy™

TANT DrawingTANT Definition

  • Structured creative cognitive exposure technique for the purpose of narrating and resolving traumatic events.
  • It uses non-interpretive drawing steps
  • Technique to reduce intrusive PTSD symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, body memories, and PTSD related behaviors from both simple and complex traumas.
  • Can also resolve and integrate trauma related emotions like anger and depression.  It can help with unresolved grief, shame, guilt, survivor issues, and reenactments.
  • It is useful individually and in groups.  The use of groups is not recommended for children or adolescents.

Some key components to Trauma Art Narrative Therapy.

WHAT- Type of Trauma

  • Any type of trauma as long as it has already happened and is in the past
  • Focus on a traumatic event when there are significant symptoms and/or behaviors

WHO- Guides the use of the TANT method and also who can use it

  • The therapist or guide using the TANT method needs to be able to follow the steps and guidelines and be willing to get technical support and/or supervision to support fidelity to the TANT method.  There is not a specific degree requirement in order to use the TANT method.
  • This method can be used with children, adolescents, or adults.  It can be used with people who have an intellectual delay or other disabilities.  It has been used to help people with PTSD symptoms from traumatic brain injuries as well as other medically based traumatic stress.  Any type of traumatic stressor can be addressed using this method.

EXCEPTIONS to using TANT™

  • Actively psychotic
  • Actively suicidal or self-harming
  • It should not be used for anyone actively in a trauma
  • If there are no trauma based symptoms or behaviors related to traumatic stress exposure then TANT should not be applied.

WHY- would you use TANT or any other trauma specific intervention

  • Trauma specific resolution methods should be used after proper assessment, informed consent, and engagement
  • People with trauma related symptoms and/or behaviors can be considered for the TANT method or other trauma specific treatment interventions