Exploring your child’s creative side can help them find the relief they need—and that’s why art therapy is such an effective coping skill. Art therapy is the practise of using artistic media and creative processes for therapeutic purposes. 

It’s a great way for children to channel their inner emotions and work through their feelings when words don’t quite express what they’re going through. The therapist helps them find the appropriate therapeutic tools and techniques to express their thoughts, perspectives, and ideas, in an open and understanding environment. 

In addition to providing mental health benefits, art therapy also provides emotional support and increases self-esteem, while helping children learn to be creative while recognising positive emotions like happiness, hope, or joy. Ultimately, this can help reframe how they view themselves as well as the world around them. 

How Does Art Therapy Help With Mental Health? 

As a parent, you may have experienced the frustration of not being able to help your child express their thoughts, feelings, or emotions. Art therapy can provide your child with an outlet to do just that. 

Art therapy helps children to open up and express themselves in a way that words cannot always capture. It can help build self-esteem as children learn to recognise what is unique about their creative expression and how it contributes to their identity. It can also provide a sense of ownership over the artwork created and can be used as a tool for self-reflection and self-expression. 

Moreover, art therapy can be used to create opportunities for positive communication between you and your child, both verbally and non-verbally. As you explore their artwork together, it can serve as an opportunity for dialogue between the two of you which can lead to greater understanding of each other, growth in relationships and improved communication skills altogether. 

Benefits of Art Therapy for Kids With Trauma 

Art therapy can play an important role in helping kids with trauma to process their experiences and gain a better understanding of themselves. It has been proven to help people to gain insight into feelings, reduce symptoms of distress and aid in the healing process. 

With art therapy, kids learn about their emotions and experiences without the same level of anxiety that comes with verbal communication. Creative expression can provide a more comfortable form of self-expression for children who have experienced trauma. 

Furthermore, art therapy can help improve communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal. It can also help kids to: 

• Develop problem-solving skills 
• Increase self-esteem 
• Regulate their emotions 
• Manage stressful situations better 
• Develop empathy towards themselves and others. 

Different Types of Art Therapy and Techniques 

When it comes to art therapy, there are a variety of different methods and techniques that can be adopted to cater to the individual needs of each child. Depending on their age and preference, some of the possible methods could range from drawing, painting, sculpting, collage-making and various other 3D art forms. 

When engaging in art therapy with children, the therapist’s role is to provide a warm, nurturing environment where the child feels safe enough to express themselves. This type of approach encourages the child to explore their creativity while at the same time providing an outlet for their emotions and helping them to gain awareness of their feelings and thoughts. 

Many psychologists will use interactive techniques such as storytelling through drawings or allowing a child to “play out” their feelings with puppets or other acting techniques. Other art activities can involve clay modelling or mixed-media pieces that allow them to engage in creative thought processes that help promote self-expression and self-esteem. 

By exploring multiple therapeutic modalities through art therapy, children are able to learn more about themselves in a fun and engaging environment that helps them understand their emotions better while also aiding in improving relationships with those around them 

Choosing the Right Art Therapist in Australia 

When seeking out an art therapist for your child’s emotional health, it’s important to do your research. Look for a qualified and experienced therapist who is familiar with the development needs of children. 

Below are some tips that may help you when choosing an art therapist in Australia: 

• Check their credentials – has the art therapist had formal training in art therapy or are they simply a qualified artist? It’s important to make sure they have qualifications in both artistic practise and therapeutic techniques so that your child can get the most out of the session. 
• Look for experience – although formal qualifications are important, you should also look for an art therapist who has plenty of practical experience in working with children. Ask how long they have been practising art therapy and how many children they have worked with. 
• Check reviews – it can be helpful to ask other parents or read online reviews from former clients who have used the services of the particular art therapist you’re considering. This will give you a better idea of what to expect when it comes to their professionalism and overall quality of care. 

Your child deserves only the best care when it comes to emotional health, so take your time when selecting an art therapist and make sure they meet your needs and expectations. The right match between child, parent, and practitioner is key – only then will your child have access to optimal treatment outcomes in terms of mental wellbeing. 

Art Therapy Courses in Australia 

More and more parents are choosing art therapy as an alternative form of communication for their children. Whether it’s drawing, painting, singing, or writing poems, art therapy is a great way to help kids express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. 

If you’re looking for art therapy courses for your children in Australia, you’re in luck! There are many organisations that offer tailored courses to help children explore their creative side, and these courses are designed to be fun and engaging. Here are some of the art therapy courses available: 

• Expressive Arts Therapy: This course focuses on using the imagination to bring out emotions and create powerful stories through visual arts. Through this course, children will learn to use art as a tool for self-expression. 
• Creative Arts Therapy: This type of course is designed to help kids explore emotions through songwriting, storytelling, writing poetry and other activities that allow them to express themselves without judgement. 

• Drama Therapy: Drama therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses storytelling and roleplay as a way for children to process situations from a different perspective. Kids learn how to think outside the box when it comes to problem-solving and develop their sense of creativity. 

No matter which type of art therapy is chosen for your child, it’s important to have an understanding of the therapist’s qualifications and experience before enrolling in any course. With the right guidance from a qualified therapist, your child will have the opportunity to unleash his or her creative potential in a safe and therapeutic space. 

Children’s Art Therapy at Spring Forward Family Centre 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, we understand the importance of creative expression in helping children to better manage their mental health. Our children’s art therapy programme combines creativity and art-making with traditional therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Play Therapy to help children gain an understanding of their inner emotions and anxieties. 

Our art therapists use a wide variety of materials, including paints, clay, marker pens, paper, yarns and fabrics to explore emotions with your child. This helps them to identify their feelings and how those feelings can be expressed in a safe environment. We use art as a creative outlet for children to express themselves when they may not be able to communicate verbally. 

These creative expressions are then discussed in detail by our professionals as they help your child make sense of their feelings in healthy ways. Art therapy is a powerful tool that enables children to take control of their emotions, develop coping strategies and create positive behavioural changes over time. 

Conclusion 

Art therapy has been proven to have a positive impact on the mental health of children, particularly those faced with traumas. It provides an opportunity for a child to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-judgemental space. Through art, they can learn to communicate and make sense of the world around them. Through access to art therapy, children can build self-esteem, better regulate emotions, feel supported and find a sense of purpose. Furthermore, art therapy can provide parents with a better understanding of their child’s mental health and how to support them. As such, art therapy can be a powerful tool to help children on the path to emotional well-being. 

The post The Impact of Children’s Art Therapy on Mental Health first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.