Art Therapy for Children
Art Therapy is a technique which utilizes artistic expression to help individuals understand and respond to their emotions and thoughts and to foster a valuable new perspective. It is understood that through art, people can address conflicts or feelings that cause them distress, develop new coping skills and improve their mental well-being.
Art therapy is particularly useful for children to communicate and process their emotions. Children are naturally creative and learn a lot about the world through physical and tactile interaction with it. Young children who might not have the vocabulary or verbal skills to express their feelings and thoughts to adults can use art instead.
Art is used as a focal point of dialogue between our therapist and the child. As they create art, they can analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. The creation or appreciation of art can help children to develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills.
Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. It is useful for children who have suffered a traumatic experience as a way for them to ‘speak’ without talking, especially about things they are afraid to talk about.
Learn more about art therapy for children here