Tattoos offer a creative outlet for externalizing pain, meaning-making, and growth in the aftermath of adversity or important milestones in one’s life. Tattoos have been used throughout history to mark initiation, status or roles in the community, or for religious/spiritual purposes. Over 30% of the US population has at least one tattoo. This means that we are frequently working with clients with tattoos which can offer us potent insight into their meaning-making process.

Multiple research studies have highlighted how tattoos offer trauma or loss survivors with an avenue for healing, bearing witness, memorializing pain, combating shame, and initiating connection. This workshop will explore tattoos as a concretization of pain and meaning-making for both the therapist and clients.