Children 'speak' art
Art is a natural expression for children and
they work through what’s troubling them in action
Counselling with children, teens & vulnerable young adults
Children and young people today are facing increased psychological challenges, due to various factors such as a difficult family situation, societal expectations and increased peer pressure. Their inner lives are also affected by the state of the world that surrounds us, such as genuine threats posed by a pandemic, climate change and war. These challenges may manifest in their behaviour or the state of emotional and mental health.
Arts counselling is especially effective at this stage as art doesn’t require words to explain what’s troubling them. They don’t even have to know what’s wrong, the art process finds its way into the core of the problem and children/ young people work it out creatively through art.
Children: Creative problem solving
With young children, the creative process resembles play-therapy, in fact it can be combined, using media and materials as tools and toys to ‘play’out the child’s inner state of being. This unconscious, non-verbal way of accessing difficult emotions allows taking them out of themselves in a constructive or destructive way. Both ways are valid.
Playfulness and creativity naturally bring feelings of joy. Creative processes tend to develop new ways of thinking and problem solving. The destructive processes help children ‘digest’ difficult emotions. Scientists have now evidenced that by creating art, we form new neural pathways in our brain, therefore improve emotional balance and aid a healthy child’s development.
To discuss how art can help your child
Teens: Arts as a meeting point
Physiological and hormonal changes accompanied by intense emotional states, one only has to remember their own teenage years. It’s hard enough. With today’s increased social pressure, high academic expectations, distorted self-image due to social media influence, fluid gender identity, the search for a true self may be even more challenging.
Art serves as a meeting point where one can meet themselves and begin to form a new relationship to the outer world. Arts helps to express and work through conflicting emotions physically through their hands and bring harmonising effect to the young person’s psyche.
To discuss how art can help your teenage child
Emotionally vulnerable young people: discovering their own voice
In my practice, I have worked with young people who reached the adulthood, yet their lives were affected by severe emotional and mental health challenges, such as extreme anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders, aggressive behaviour, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and attempts. This also meant, they were not able to finish their studies, get a full time job, pursue a career, drive a car, meet friends at leisure or have their own home.
Working with these talented young people, I have witnessed how art became a way of discovering their unique voice in the world and expressing powerful messages for the healing of our times.
To discuss how art can help you or a young person in your care
Children & Parents: Space for an art conversation
Art creates an opportunity for parents and children to come together into a neutral space and engage in an artistic conversation where all voices can be heard in a visual language. For a parent, it presents an opportunity to join in with the child’s playfulness and learn how to recapture joy and lightness.
Children on the other hand gain importance and feel the point of undivided focus. Painting / drawing together means that family differences and grievances can be worked on creatively, having a harmonising effect on the relationships.
To discuss how you & your child/ children can benefit from art sessions Children & Parents: Space for an art conversation
What’s your challenge?
It may be you or your children who need the support. Get in touch to discuss how therapeutic arts counselling can help in your situation.
Call 075133 60935 to arrange a convenient date & time. Alternatively, send a text or fill in the contact form.
Book your free 15-minute phone consultation
Pricing for children, teens & young people
Length of session
Professional Fee
50m session
£ 50
6x 50m session
£ 270 (£ 45 each)
*T&C All payments must be deposited to the bank account or paid by cash on the day of the appointment. I politely request 48 hour cancellation notice.
If parent would like to be present at the session, it is possible, however, the focus of the session will still be primarily on the child/ children unless discussed otherwise. If the parent would like to have their own personal counselling session, this would need to be booked separately. Please refer to the personal counselling pricing.
