Tattoos as Therapy: A Journey of Self-Expression - S4 E3

In this conversation, Teri Anderson explores the profound connection between trauma and tattoos, discussing how individuals use body art as a means of self-expression and healing. She highlights the common experiences of trauma survivors and the various ways they cope, including the use of tattoos to tell their stories. The discussion delves into the symbolism behind popular tattoo designs, the significance of memorial tattoos, and the transformative power of art in the healing process. Teri emphasizes the importance of understanding the narratives behind tattoos, encouraging listeners to see them as expressions of resilience and recovery. In this conversation, Teri Anderson explores the profound connection between tattoos and personal healing. She shares various stories behind tattoos that symbolize resilience, trauma, and recovery. The discussion emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, community, and self-expression in the healing journey. Teri highlights how tattoos serve as reminders of strength and transformation, while also addressing the emotional weight of personal experiences and the significance of shared narratives among trauma survivors. Takeaways Tattoos can represent deep, unspoken trauma. Not all tattoos are linked to pain; some celebrate joy. Art on the body can be a powerful storytelling tool. Coping mechanisms for trauma have evolved over time.

There is one thing that the tattoos of trauma survivors have in common.

And that is a deep.That is a deep, soul crushing pain that's either known or unknown, spoken or unspoken.

Maya Angelou said, up from a past that's rooted in pain, I rise.

And I think that's very true with what we see in today's culture of trauma survivors telling their stories and letting others see exactly.

how they're feeling. We're reclaiming our bodies. We're reclaiming our thoughts. We are reclaiming our identities. Before I go any further, I want to say that not all tattoos are rooted in pain. Not all tattoos are rooted in trauma.

but for those of us that have chosen to wear our stories.

That's the case.

In past decades, the survivors of trauma dealt with their trauma.

through a lot of different coping mechanisms, including avoidance, substance abuse, seeking social support, religious practices, rituals, creative outlets, sometimes therapy, but therapy wasn't always.

Therapy was pretty much a stigma in past decades.

In today's culture, with tattoos being more prevalent,

and the stigma of self-harm.

being so heavy. Many of us have chosen to tell our stories.

through the art on our bodies.

 

Teri Anderson (05:10.688) And I wanted in the past, the past episode, we talked a lot about the correlation between trauma. We spoke a lot about the core. I spoke a lot. I spoke a lot about the correlations there are between trauma and tattoos.

Here we are in 2025. My traumas started in 1962, the year I was born.

A lot of them were seared into my soul and I didn't know what they were. I had no idea what they were.

But I wanted to go through in this episode here and kind of show you some of these. So you'll be aware if you see someone with some of these tattoos, you're be able to put it together and you're gonna be able to say, oh my gosh, I know what that means instead of, oh my gosh, that's trash. That was totally stupid.

It might give you a little better understanding at some of the pain and some of the situations that we've gone through that have really been bigger and heavier than we have been able to carry alone.

I think in some instances we do tell our story.

in some instances, in some instances, in some situations.

We are using tattooing.

so we don't harm.

so we don't do anything that will harm our bodies and leave a scar filled with stigma.

So I'm gonna go through several resources here. I've got some pages