and facilitating communication. Art therapy is also thought to promote emotional and mental growth by allowing self expression, visual communication, and creativity. Most importantly, studies have found that painting, drawing or music therapies may allow people with autism to communicate in a manner more comfortable for them than speech. Schizophrenia A 2005 systematic review of art therapy as an add on treatment for schizophrenia found unclear effects. Group art therapy has been shown to improve some symptoms of schizophrenia. While studies concluded that art therapy did not improve Clinical Global Impression or Global Assessment of Functioning, they showed that the use of haptic art materials to express one's emotions, cognitions, and perceptions in a group setting lowered depressing themes and may improve self-esteem, enforce creativity, and facilitate the integrative therapeutic process for people with schizophrenia. Studies reveal that cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be most effective for this disorder. Geriatric patients Studies conducted by Regev reveal that geriatric art therapy has been significantly useful in helping depression for the elderly, although not particularly successful among dementia patients. Group therapy versus individual sessions proved to be more effective. Trauma and children Art therapy may alleviate trauma-induced emotions, such as shame and anger. It is also likely to increase trauma survivors' sense of empowerment and control by encouraging children to make choices in their artwork. Art therapy in addition to psychotherapy offered more reduction in trauma symptoms than just psychotherapy alone. Because traumatic memories are encoded visually, creating art may be the most effective way to access them. Through art therapy, children may be able to make more sense of their traumatic experiences and form accurate trauma narratives. Gradual exposure to these narratives may reduce trauma-induced symptoms, such as flashbacks and nightmares. Repetition of directives reduces anxiety, and visually creating narratives helps clients build coping skills and balanced nervous system responses. This only works in long-term art therapy interventions. Children who have experienced trauma may benefit from group art therapy. The group format is effective in helping survivors develop relationships with others who have experienced similar situations. Group art therapy may also be beneficial in helping children with trauma regain trust and social self-esteem. Usually, participants who undergo art therapy through group interventions have positive experiences and give their internal feelings validation. Veterans and post-traumatic stress disorder Art therapy has an established history of being used to treat veterans, with the