How Can Art Therapy Help My Child?

Many of us may have heard the term “Art Therapy”  but don’t really understand how Art Therapy works or its potential benefits.  As One Child expands its programming to include Art Therapy, I wanted to take a moment to discuss Art Therapy and how One Child intends to use it to further our mission.

Art Therapy is most concisely defined as “a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication” (British Association of Art Therapists). More simply, through the process of making art it is believed that the artist is able to explore and express emotions and  feelings that they may not be able to process or communicate effectively.  For this reason, Art Therapy  has been known to reduce stress & anxiety, help individuals to work through complex problems, and to increase self-esteem. Art Therapy is not about perfecting technique or improving art skills but or rather the process of making art – and where self-exploration, imagination and creativity meet.

As One Child launches our Art Therapy program we have decided to focus on 2 populations of our community that is underserved and could benefit from Art Therapy – non verbal children or those with limited verbal communication abilities, and siblings of special needs children.

Art Explorers: Art Therapy Group is for non verbal children or those with limited verbal communication ability. Our aim for this program is to help reduce stress and anxiety that is often associated with children that
are not able to effectively communicate.  Conducted in a group setting our hope is that participants will also establish a familiarity with their peers and form bonds with members in the group.

Creators Club: Art Group for Siblings is for the siblings of special needs children. We understand that while being a sibling of a special needs children is a wonderful experience,  their family life is very different from many of their peers. We want to provide them a safe and positive space where they can explore their feelings, express themselves openly without judgement, and a space to meet other peers like themselves and establish friendships born out of similar experiences.

I hope you will consider enrolling your child in these programs and help us spread the word about them so we can continue to serve families in our community!

Thank you,

Julie Cullifer