Psychotherapy Matters book series: Life and Hope Out of Darkness: Creative Interventions for Helping People in Violent Communities

In this blog, Sarah writes about her new book Life and Hope Out of Darkness: Creative Interventions for Helping People in Violent Communities, published in the Psychotherapy Matters book series. Can healing happen in a world of constant trauma? Sarah explores what therapy can offer, even in crisis.

Why I wrote Life and Hope Out of Darkness

I am an arts therapist with over a decade of experience working with people affected by trauma. But nothing prepared me for what I encountered when I moved from the UK to South Africa. In communities plagued by violence – where the murder rate is 43.7 per 100,000¹ – trauma isn’t a one-time event. It’s daily life. My book shares what I have learned from four intense years of working in these communities.

Even in extreme environments, psychotherapy can offer a lifeline. Studies show that expressive therapies reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in five people² in conflict-affected areas suffers from mental health disorders. The need for psychotherapy is urgent. In the UK, my therapy rooms were calm. In South Africa, they echo with gunshots. How do you offer healing when the danger never stops?

In the UK, my therapy rooms were calm. In South Africa, they echo with gunshots. How do you offer healing when the danger never stops?

Listening to intuition in a war zone

One powerful lesson I learned was to trust my intuition. Early in my work I introduced breathing and mindfulness at the start of each session. It felt right, but later, both participant feedback and neuroscience confirmed how crucial these simple tools were for calming the nervous system and grounding the body. After the grounding and breathing exercises, I use art, movement, music and other art forms to help people express what can’t be put into words. These creative practices help the brain process trauma in ways that talking therapy alone can’t always achieve. In my book, I explain the neuroscience of what is happening in the brain and how it can help people. I also describe lots of creative tools that can be used to support others.

A book for everyone – not just therapists

While Life and Hope Out of Darkness is a resource for psychotherapists, counsellors and other health professionals, it is relevant for all of us. The book is written with short chapters, each exploring a different theme/psychotherapeutic intervention for how we can help ourselves and other people. Each chapter shares a story based on real experiences and ends with a reflection exercise. This reflection allows all readers – whether or not they are health professionals or live in a violent community – to think through the themes from the chapter and apply the psychotherapeutic tools to themselves. 

Holding on to hope

This book is ultimately about hope. Even in the darkest situations, healing can happen. My desire is that this book offers not just insights, but real tools – and most of all, light in the dark.

Sarah Coleman holds an undergraduate degree in costume making and a master’s in integrative arts psychotherapy. She has five years of experience working in the UK with children, young people and adults impacted by domestic violence and substance misuse. Sarah previously ran a private practice for adults with mental health issues and uses a mixture of art forms, including visual art, dance, drama, music, puppets, poetry, sand tray and breath work. In early 2020, Sarah moved to South Africa to deepen her skills working with trauma, running therapeutic groups in violent communities. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the piano and saxophone, dancing, swimming, hiking, and being in nature. 

Instagram: @sweetpeawellness

References: 

1. 74 people are murdered every day in South Africa – these are the worst areas [Internet]. BusinessTech. 2023 [cited 2025 May 8]. Available from: https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/665815/74-people-are-murdered-every-day-in-south-africa-these-are-the-worst-areas/
2. Charlson F, van Ommeren M, Flaxman A, Cornett J, Whiteford H, Saxena S. New WHO prevalence estimates of mental disorders in conflict settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet [Internet]. 2019;394(10194):240–8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30934-1

Psychotherapy Matters is a new series published by Karnac Books in partnership with UKCP. It will consist of accessible books for professionals with a crossover into a general readership on topical subjects. The aim is to bring diverse subjects into focus with enjoyable and inspiring reads to energise much-needed conversations around mental health.