Child and Adolescent Therapy
Art Therapy Works provides a safe and secure space for children and adolescents to explore difficult issues that may have evolved from the many incidents that have impacted on their life, such as losing friends, being bullied at school, a teacher shouting at them, being worried about the next school test, family arguments, a pet sick or dying.
These are just some of the many issues that can affect the development, confidence, self esteem and happiness in a child’s world. Other issues that can cause harm to a young persons development are parental divorce or separation, family bereavement, physical or sexual abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, a new sibling being born or issues arising out of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Children and adolescents need to be allowed space to express how they are feeling, so that they can begin to understand the sometimes confusing world they live in. The therapist will gently assist the young person to find a way to manage or overcome the issues that are acting as significant stumbling blocks in their development.
Each therapy session is therefore designed to allow the young person time to express their thoughts and feelings in a non threatening and supportive safe environment with the use of verbal and non verbal activities including play, art, sandplay and conversation.
Adolescents often need extra help during difficult periods especially around the transition of childhood to adolescent. A female client used magazines to reflect and explore her likes and dislikes, as she struggled with the transition between being a child and becoming a teenager.
The aim of the therapy sessions will be to enable the young person to find their own voice, to grow in confidence and develop their own identity.
Short excerpt from a process with a 11 year old girl
An 11 year old girl came to art therapy experiencing difficult relationships at school. Her best friend had been taken off her by another girl… She makes friends with another girl and the same thing happens again, leaving her feeling alone and isolated…she does not have anyone to sit next to in class.
The girl decided to use pastels to show the class combinations. Whilst drawing she expresses her frustration and anger going over and over the combinations. This becomes a regular feature of her sessions and pictured right is one example.
First Steps to Art Therapy for Young People
The young person will be invited to attend an assessment session at the start. Children under the age of 11 years old tends be accompanied for the assessment session by a parent, and those over 11 years old can decide if they wish a parent or carer to be present.
The assessment session provides an opportunity to reflect on the issues that are of concern to the young person.
Regular Sessions
After the first meeting, if it is felt that Art Therapy Works could help the young person, then a commitment to 6-12 sessions is agreed. In some cases more sessions may be required to work through particularly difficult issues.The sessions will normally last one hour and take place on a weekly basis.
If you would like to make an initial appointment or to discuss how art therapy may benefit your child or adolescent simply contact Jean either by sending an email using the contact button at the top of the page or phoning her on Tel 079 6643 4499.
