Art Therapy
Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services activity often used in mental health to enrich the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active artmaking, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship (American Art Therapy Association, 2013).
Can children and teens benefit from Art Therapy?
Art as a means for healing and communication is highly relevant for children and teens. Young children often rely on their limited language skills to express complex thoughts and emotions. That barrier can be overcome with methods of expression they understand a little better, such as drawing and coloring. Teens can also benefit from a pressure-free, consequence-free medium for their thoughts and feelings.
Examples of Art Therapy for children
1. Art therapy postcard activity
Most people would probably agree that it’s easier to express or recognize hurts and regrets when there’s the distance between yourself and the problem. This is why the postcard activity can be a good self-discovery exercise that helps answer the question, “What would I say to someone if I didn’t have to do it face-to-face?” This activity can be used in one-to-one or group therapy sessions.
2. Words to live by collage
Teens can be vulnerable to harsh, judgmental environments where they don’t feel they can be themselves. They may suppress their real character to avoid censure from their peers; this is why it’s essential for teens to identify their core values and identify who they think they are. It’s crucial when working with teens to create coping strategies that they can come back over to time and let them know that their ideas, feelings, and values will change with experience.
3. Softness project
Humans are all tactile creatures, but children especially are touchers, explorers, and curious feelers. Utilizing touch is a way for them to learn about the world and to find comfort. This activity focuses on using comforting textures and allowing for a manageable exploration of uncomfortable emotions. It is a particularly useful activity with younger children. This activity can be carried out with a group or one-to-one.
4. Build a safe place
This is an activity that’s adaptable for all age groups but may be a sensitive project for kids and young adults who often have little control of their environments and struggle to ever feel safe. This project may help a child or teen reflect on ways to find a safe space or may simply help them feel like they have some control over their environment. It can be conducted one-to-one or in small groups.
5. Color your feelings
This is a set of worksheets that include exercises for children to express their emotions or define the things they care about. It’s a very quick and easy exercise that can help participants create helpful visual representations of the things they value. Some examples of worksheets include an empty outline of a heart, house or animals.
References
Art Therapy Activities to Help Kids Identify and Manage Their Feelings (weareteachers.com)
Art Therapy Activities & Ideas for Kids (Incl. PDF) (positivepsychology.com)