Art Therapy can help children, young people, adults and elders with a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or conditions.
Art therapy has been practised in health, social and education services for over forty years.
Art Therapy in Education
School is a challenging environment for all young people, especially for those with emotional or behavioural problems.
Art therapy can provide a practical and effective remedy, often allowing a child to reintegrate successfully in normal activities.
art therapy can help a young person to adapt and change …
Art therapy:
- is a form of psychotherapy
- uses visual media as the main channel of communication
A qualified art therapist:
- uses psychodynamic theory and practice to help a child to explore difficult and confusing emotions
- can assist with a child's psychological, emotional, educational, social, and physical development
A qualified art therapist:
- holds a post-graduate qualification
- is a member of The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
- may be employed on full or part-time, permanent or temporary contracts
- is paid on the spine point teaching scale (if he/she has Qualified Teaching status)
Schools use art therapy because:
- art therapy can help schools to fulfil their statutory responsibilities to ensure special educational needs are met
- interventions such as art therapy may be essential for pupils with learning difficulties in assisting access to the National Curriculum
Children with problems:
- Neglect
- Physical illness
- Mental illness
- Sensory impairments
- Loss of family
- Bullying
- Learning difficulties
- Cognitive difficulties
- Communication
- Domestic
Children with characteristics:
- Withdrawn
- Lacking in confidence
- Depressed
- Aggressive
- Angry
- Chaotic
- Anti-social
Children with behaviours:
- Obsessional
- Self-destructive
- Phobic
- Unpredictable
Referrals may be made by:
- teacher / head teacher / head of year
- SENCO
- educational psychologist
- self-referral
Art therapy starts when:
- assessment is made by the art therapist, in consultation with other professionals and the child's parents or guardians
- upon parental consent, the child can begin regular sessions at a set time each week.
Art therapy lasts:
- from as little as a few weeks to a year or more, depending on the child's needs
- preparation for the ending of therapy will need to take place over a number of weeks or months
An art therapy room must:
- be self-contained and private
- be large enough for group work
- have suitable work surfaces and flooring
- have a sink and running water
- have lockable storage space
Art materials:
- will include those usually found in the school
- funding for additional materials may be necessary
The art therapist:
- does not have a teaching role
- the content of the sessions is strictly confidential within the school team
- if the art therapist considers a child to be at risk, he/she will adhere to the school's procedures in their Child Protection Policy.
The art therapist will schedule time for:
- art therapy sessions
- dated record keeping of sessions
- administration work
- regular supervision
Art therapy requires regular liaison with:
- teaching staff
- school support personnel
- parents
- outside agencies, as necessary