What is Art Therapy

• What is art therapy and how can it be used?
• how does it work?
• issues with identity and self esteem

Avril, Art Therapist.

• Print maker, likes working with people.
• works with people with disabilities
• social worker for 12 years
• mental health students
• combination of art and social work
• minority profession
• children and young people
• schools, primary and secondary
• child trauma
• hospitals, well being centres 
• art within a psychological intervention
• HCPC / BAAT

Task:

Series of 4 drawings,

• A sun
• A moon
• A tree
• Anything you like

 Here are some images of the groups drawings:

Different way of expressing yourself 

•  not to feel judged.
• no right or wrong
• 'don't want folder - too look back on one day
• children can relate to drawings, remember how they felt.

"Sometimes it is hard to find the words to say how you feel and what are thinking."

• signs and symbols
• words are like digital language

Fairy-tales, animals will usually tell a child's own personal story,

e.g I've got a friend who...

attacking animals - good guy/ bad guy

vulnerable animals - scared, lonely

keep notes of every session - mainly safeguarding, case reviews (in the case of a child's death)

What do art therapists do?

• one to one with children, confidential, counselling - CAHMS.
• same duty of care with adults/ vulnerable adults.
• will always be a contact point for safe guarding issues - siblings, brothers/sisters.
• families, mothers and young children - strengthening attachments, helping parents give time to children.
• themed groups - absent mothers or fathers.
• behavioural issues, violent - lots of structure/ activities.