Children
make, create, play, heal
Children are naturally spontaneous, creative, and imaginative little beings which is why creative arts therapy can be particularly effective for them.
Children of all ages, and both special needs and not, may not have the language skills to express themselves, but they still have a voice. Putting their feelings into a poem, song or painting gives children a safe outlet for negative emotions through an enjoyable activity, which accelerates the healing and growth process. More importantly for some, Art therapy allows children to express themselves and their ideas without having to put them into words. These welcomed forms of authentic expression awaken a child’s imagination and creativity to help them discover who he or she is and how to engage their senses. They can also bring a sense of calm to their body, positively affecting their function, mood, cognition, and behaviour.
The magic of Art therapy is that it offers its participants infinite possibilities of creative and interactive processes. Painting, sculpting, storytelling, dancing and playing all become the vehicles of expression, offering a ‘way in’ and allowing them the freedom to express themselves in other ways they may not yet have the language for.
Art therapy is a nurturing and helpful option for children of all ages who are going through a difficult emotional or behavioural time. Children can benefit from Art therapy if they are experiencing troubles with:
Trauma
Bullying
Sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Death of a loved one
Aggression and anger
Divorce or separation
Perfectionism
Low self-esteem
Academic motivation
Family or child relocation
Self-control and impulsivity
Anxiety, depression and OCD
Unexplained changes in behaviour
Social skill problems/friendship issues
Children are likely to find the collaborative and practical elements of Art therapy a lot less confronting than the more traditional forms of talk therapy, but whatever the issue they are facing, I am confident that art therapy can help them deal with it.
Some of the main benefits of Creative Arts Therapy with children are:
Learning new coping skills
Cultivating self-compassion
Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving problem solving skills
Developing assertiveness and self-esteem
Nurturing creativity and authentic expression
Inspiring renewed interest, resilience and hope
Building emotional awareness and empowerment
For more information you are welcome to call me on 0481 258 118 or send an email via our contact page.
