(In)Visible Scars: Two Siblings,a Shared Trauma History,and Their Play

ABSTRACT

This paper tells the story of two siblings and their shared trauma history, with one in the role of the abused, and the other of the bystander. In their play both children reveal true differences and similarities of their heart-wrenching life stories. Several examples of Donnie and Angelique’s play over the course of treatment are compared for the purpose of reflecting on ways these siblings, who experienced markedly different attachment models and different perspectives of violent abuse, symbolized and healed from trauma. This kind of case study has implications about the role of attachment and the value of play-based treatment to psychological processes in severely traumatized youth.