Education | ED04 | Summer 2017

Education Magazine
How does it help?
The art therapist functions as an emotional regulator enabling
the child to process emotional experience effectively. He
or she works with the child’s inner world safely and nonintrusively,
with respect for the child’s own pace and state of
being. For example, a drawing may be used to process feelings
that the child cannot find words for and clay modelling can
act as a calming activity which enables emotional regulation
and develops self-soothing mechanisms in the brain.
freeimages.com/FlavioTakemoto *names have been changed
Creative
Healing
Mary Kain explains the benefits
of using art as therapy
What is art therapy?
Children often find it difficult to express their feelings. At this
highly formative period of their lives, the behaviours that they
develop will have an impact on the whole of their future lives.
When a child cannot talk about their painful and difficult
feelings, these feelings can find expression in challenging
behaviours, neurotic symptoms and/or physical ailments.
Art Therapy uses various media – drawing, painting, sand
play, music, poetry, puppetry, movement and mental
imagery – as the primary means of communication.
Although creative techniques are used, no previous
experience or skill in art is necessary. The art therapist
facilitates the exploration and communication of
children’s thoughts and feelings through the use of art.
Children/adolescents meet with a person with whom
they feel comfortable, at the same time each week. In
this way, they can build a relationship in a safe space
with an empathic adult who offers quality listening and
understanding. Art therapy is not dependent on spoken
language and can be helpful to anyone who finds it
difficult to express their thoughts and feelings verbally.
Who can benefit?
Children and adolescents with a range
of issues including those:
• In danger of exclusion from school
• Experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties
• With social and communication difficulties
• Struggling with bereavement, changes
in family structure or illness
• Suffering abuse, bullying or trauma
• With autism spectrum disorders
• With child protection concerns, including experience
of abuse or exposure to domestic violence
• Any child who may appear withdrawn or
anxious, angry, depressed, moody, violent or
disaffected may also benefit from art therapy
How are children referred?
Most of my referrals happen through word of
mouth, when teachers and parents contact me
about children that have been identified as having
challenging behaviours or emotional problems.
Why did you become an art therapist?
I initially qualified as an Early Years school teacher
and, after having three children of my own, I became
fascinated by the intricacies of child and adolescent
development. So, I decided to go back and train as a
child and adolescent psychotherapist, using the arts.
Can you give us an example of how art therapy has helped?
Katie* is an 8 year old girl who has witnessed domestic
violence. Her anger would constantly erupt into violence
towards her peers at school. Through using clay modelling
she has found a medium to calm her intense emotions
and been able to talk about what lies behind her anger.
Charlie* is a 14 year old boy. He has grown up in a
household where drug dealing is the norm. Beginning
with the shared reading of graphic comic novels, he has
gone on to tell the story of his own life in the form of a
series of cartoon drawings. He has learned to understand
and communicate his feelings to others which has helped
him navigate the difficult challenges of adolescence.
Art Therapist Mary Kain can be contacted on 07912
521055 and emailed at mary.kain@btinternet.com
21 wealdentimes.co.uk