Powerful Ways Art Can Help Us Heal from Trauma Featuring Daniel Leighton

Amber interviews artist Daniel Leighton, who shares his journey living with Crohn's disease from childhood. Daniel tells us how he didn't think of himself as an artist, but painting became a vital tool for expressing emotions and coping with complex PTSD related to chronic illness. He offers some advice for those intimidated by starting a journey into creativity and describes how art validates the experiences of people with chronic illness. Daniel's artwork, inspired by his medical journey, helps others with IBD feel seen and less alone, highlighting the role of art in emotional healing and community connection. This episode contains a discussion of medical trauma and complex PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), so please take care when listening. Check the show notes for a description and time stamps, in case you want to skip certain sections. Episode transcript and more information at: Chapters: 00:01 Intro & Content Warning 2:40 Daniel's IBD Journey & Surgeries 5:15 Early J-Pouch Surgery 6:24 Discovering Art as an Outlet 11:24 Art for Processing Trauma 15:21 Getting Started with Art 17:23 Art, PTSD & Chronic Illness 18:43 Connecting to Cure 19:57 Evolution of Artwork 21:30 Depicting Pain in Art 22:39 Trying New Things 23:44 Specific Artworks & Meanings 29:24 First Surgery & Trauma 33:12 Evolving Trauma Over Time 34:22 Art as a Bridge 38:08 Medical Restraint Trauma 40:52 Power of Not Feeling Alone 42:15 Lessons Learned the Hard Way 43:56 "Here Comes the Flood" 46:49 Self-Compassion & Healing Timelines 47:55 Ballroom Dancing & New Experiences 50:38 Where to Find Daniel's Art 51:44 Closing & Credits Topics discussed on this episode: The role of art as an outlet for expressing emotions related to living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Personal experiences of living with Crohn's disease, including diagnosis and surgeries. The therapeutic benefits of using art to process trauma and cope with chronic illness. Practical advice for using art as a form of emotional expression, regardless of artistic skill level. The importance of self-compassion and recognizing individual healing timelines. The impact of trauma on emotional expression and the need for safe spaces to feel emotions. The evolution of personal artwork and its connection to experiences with IBD. Encouragement to embrace intimidating activities as a means of personal growth and healing. The significance of creating visual representations of emotions, such as "pain charts." The importance of community and connection in the journey of living with chronic illness. Links to information mentioned in this episode: Miller-Ocuin JL, Dietz DW. The Evolution of Pelvic Pouch Surgery: Optimal Pouch Design for an Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis . Clin Colon Rectal Surg . 2022;35(6):453-457. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1758135. Morgan Check, NP: @morgancheckgastronp Taft TH, Bedell A, Craven MR, Guadagnoli L, Quinton S, Hanauer SB. Initial Assessment of Post-traumatic Stress in a US Cohort of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients . Inflamm Bowel Dis . 2019;25(9):1577-1585. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz032. Gomez DA, Ahmad-Waqar M, Brookes MJ, Kumar A. IBD-related mental health disorders: where do we go from here? Frontline Gastroenterol . 2023;14(6):512-520. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2023-102403. Find Daniel Leighton at: Facebook: @DanielLeightonArt Instagram: @DanielLeightonArt Substack: @danielleightonart Artwork: YouTube: Web: Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell Health: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Threads: @about_ibd Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party , is from ©Cooney Studio. These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Powerful Ways Art Can Help Us Heal from Trauma Featuring Daniel Leighton is an episode from About IBD by About IBD With Amber J Tresca.

This episode is 53:32 long.

This episode was published on Sep 17, 2025.

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