About the Children’sArt Therapy Group

WHY GROUP WORK?

Group work can provide a safe, supportive space where children can express some of their feelings and experiences at the same time as having fun and making friends. During the sessions we use lots of art, music and games to create a space that feels safe, relaxed and fun.

For children from families who have experienced a high degree of parental conflict, family violence or homelessness there is often lots of confusion, grief, and isolation. There is also often little time for fun and ‘time out’ due to the difficulties of having very little discretionary money, sorting out contact arrangements, accommodation, changing schools and so on.

The use of creative arts methods, games and activities offers limitless potential in working non-verbally through issues that are often too hard to express verbally. Through exploring issues in a non-threatening way children’s interactions with themselves and others can begin to be restored and strengthened. Most of all groups can be a positive way for children to gain support after living in a difficult situation.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE GROUP?

  • To have fun in a safe, relaxed, supportive environment
  • To reduce isolation
  • To increase the safety of the participants
  • To share and learn appropriate and creative ways of expressing emotions
  • To share and develop ways to cope with the effects of trauma, grief and loss
  • To learn about respectful, healthy relationships, communication and conflict resolution
  • To provide an opportunity for children to express themselves and to tell some of their story if they wish in a safe and supportive environment.
  • To increase the child’s sense of well-being and thereby improve worrying behaviours.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THEMES THAT WE MAY COVER IN THE GROUP?

  • Keeping Safe
  • Looking after ourselves
  • Communication and conflict resolution
  • Healthy relationships
  • Safe ways of handling strong emotions
  • Being assertive (rather than aggressive or passive)
  • Power and the abuse of power
  • Roles and responsibilities in families
  • Hopes and dreams

WHAT SHOULD CHILDREN EXPECT WHEN ATTENDING A GROUP?

  • To relax and have fun.
  • Make and Create things. Children may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as collage, sculpture, drawing, painting, relaxation, stretching music,dance.
  • Meet some new people and make friends - the group will have a maximum of 8 children attending, and two or three adult facilitators.
  • Talk about things that they may not have had the opportunity to before.
  • Learn things about themselves and others.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD GET THE MOST OUT OF GROUP

  • Neither praise nor point out any perceived “mistakes” in your child’s art works. Art Therapy is about expression not about how the art looks… so always encourage their expression, perhaps pointing out some element of the work and ask them if they would like to tell you about it.
  • Listen to your child if and when they want to talk about their group experiences – no interrogations please!
  • No need to act, react or problem solve, just listen. If concerned talk to a facilitator.
  • Respect the privacy of ‘Journals’. Only look if shown by the owner. Ask if your child wants to tell you more about whatever it is they are showing you, rather than making comments.
  • Have some drawing materials at home to support the creative expression they are learning in the group eg. Paper or sketch pad, crayons, pencils (these don’t have to cost much) and make sure your child has access to them whenever they need them.
  • If your child has any reaction after attending a group, either positive or negative, or if a significant event has occurred during the week please let us know so that we can be sensitive and aware and help support your child as best we can.
  • Please don’t withdraw the Art Therapy group as punishment for bad behaviour during the week. The group may be a place where we can help to work out behaviours your child may be displaying.
  • Please let us know if your child doesn’t want to come as this provides a great opportunity to work through issues in a positive way.
  • Be prepared to pick up your child early in the case of sickness or behavioural problems on the day – leaving the session early is our last step in our process of responding to behavioural breaches during the group.

If you are interested in your child attending, you will need to ring Ruth, Sally or Joat WRISC to discuss whether the group is right for your child at this time. For further information, or to arrange an appointment to discuss your child’s involvement please contact your support worker or JO,RUTH or SALLY on53333666 at WRISC.