By Emily Martin<\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes words are not enough to describe what you are feeling inside. Often, words cannot describe the inner-workings of ones mind. For many, a way to express these things that are so hard to communicate\u2026 is through art.<\/p>\n Phare Ponleu Selpak was founded on this concept. 8 young Cambodians who had witnessed and experienced atrocities far beyond most of our imaginations received art therapy in refugee camps along the Thailand border in the late 70\u2019s.<\/p>\n The art helped these children express themselves and heal their trauma in a way nothing else could.<\/p>\n Art therapy has become more and more popular as a healing tool for people living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other hidden injuries of war.<\/p>\n Researchers have found that the old saying, “a picture can speak a thousand words” is very true in expressive arts therapy. In order to heal, patients need to express their emotions, work through them, and regain a positive focus. Studies have shown that some patients with PTSD can find a way to healing by expressing themselves through art.<\/p>\n This powerful photo series, published by National Geographic magazine, focuses on art created by veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of their therapy.<\/p>\n These servicemen and women often return home with wounds that can\u2019t be seen on the surface. Brain injuries and PTSD among them.<\/p>\n We wanted to share some of these powerful photographs by Lynn Johnson which were taken of a number service members and their families who are striving to overcome their individual challenges through the power of art.<\/p>\n\n\t\t