Art Therapies
Art therapy is the use of art materials for self-expression and reflection in the presence of a trained art therapist. Clients who are referred to an art therapist need not have previous experience or skill in art; the art therapist is not primarily concerned with making an aesthetic or diagnostic assessment of the client’s image. The overall aim of practitioners is to enable a client to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe and facilitating environment. Through creating art and talking about art and the process of art making with an art therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and work towards change.
The therapist's approach is an eclectic child-centred approach so the young person feels valued, seen and heard in a non-judgmental way. Much of the clinical thinking is from an attachment perspective working in a style that the child responds to best. Many children who are in the care system have experienced some level of trauma in their past; many arrive with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In these cases we find it helpful, for the client, to use a cognitive behavioural approach to help them to manage and break old cycles of thinking (cognitive distortions) and work towards re-creating new ones.
This approach is very useful for young people who self harm; self harm is a big issue for many adolescents in care, this is something that often manifests itself when a young person attempts to manage un-manageable feelings without the help of others. Our staff team are trained in understanding and treating self-harm and can access regular clinical supervision when they are working with children displaying these behaviours.
A core psychological assessment is made over a period of three to six months and this informs clear direction in ways to meet the child's needs and enable correct treatment.
Music Therapy can also be provided with the child and therapist using state of the art computer software in the Mac studio. Music therapy allows the child to explore their life story through adding vocals. The background music is created with the guidance of the therapist (who is a keen musician familiar with all the latest sounds). This intervention often leads to personal discovery and a growth spurt in the child's self-confidence. All the work is recorded and a personal CD is created to document the audio experience. The child can then reflect upon their journey in therapy via the music that they have created. Some children enjoy the process so much that it can lead them to talking up music or singing lessons, developing their skills and increasing self-esteem. This creative intervention is one in which the child feels less defensive and does not feel overwhelmed by the word 'therapy'.
The therapeutic community is an integral part of our provision. We provide a high quality therapeutic milieu where the children can feel safe and begin to achieve and to heal. As well as the children's weekly, programmed therapy sessions we have a regular therapeutic group meeting, which is led by our therapist. The group gives the children the opportunity to reflect upon relationships within the home; focusing on understanding each other better and resolving differences within the creative work group. In the group different themes are explored; e.g. bullying, drugs, relationships. The group explores these themes in sundry ways, which can involve discussion, dramarama and art.
