Art Therapy

Art Therapy offers a way for children to explore and express themselves through art.

Helping children to find safe, creative and beneficial ways to express their feelings can make a significant contribution to a child’s well-being and development. Art therapy aims to help children maintain good emotional health and happy relationships.

In art therapy, children are encouraged to try things out and to be inventive and imaginative.  It is a place where children can share their ideas and worries and be sensitively listened to. In art therapy, a child’s life experiences and relationships can be thought about and carefully attended to.

Individual weekly art therapy sessions can be for up to an hour and children can be offered intensive support and guidance. Children can have access to a wide range of art materials and any work they make will be kept in a folder for them to keep.

All Art Therapists are state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They work closely alongside teachers, parents and any other services which might be involved and they can play an active part in helping to understand a child’s needs, strengths and talents.

For more information about art therapy you could visit the British Association for Art Therapists website: www.baat.org  

Family Therapy

Family therapy offers a way for children’s lives to be thought about in the context of their family and culture and with consideration for the wider social issues which influence their lives. This can contribute to a deeper understanding of their needs and can also help to bring to light fresh ideas and strategies which can make a difference.

In family therapy, the aim is to help everyone understand each other and to develop new ways to talk and communicate with each other. This can help create an environment in which everyone supports each other, promoting health and wellbeing.

For more information about family therapy you can visit the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice website: www.aft.org.uk . We had also attached a leaflet about family therapy.