In therapy, it can be difficult to keep an adolescent or teen engaged for a full session. Also, talking for that long may not have worked for your child in the past. They may struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, they may feel like they are being questioned or interrogated. Finally, your adolescent or teen may not enjoy sitting and talking for that long period of time. At Wisdom Within Counseling, we use creative art therapy to help depressed adolescents and teens in Connecticut.
What is Creative Art Therapy?
Creative art therapy is the intentional use of art and creative mediums in therapy. It is also known as expressive art therapy. There are a variety of art forms that we can bring into session with your adolescent or teen. These include visual art, music, dance, drama, poetry, and writing.
Using the arts in therapy allows us to communicate in a way beyond words.
Have you ever struggled to find the words to identify your feelings? This happens to adolescents and teens all the time! As your child develops, they are learning the process of identifying and communicating their feelings. Further, they may not know how to label what they are feeling. Using arts like painting, music, and drama can give your child the opportunity to express those emotions without using words.
Creative art therapy is fun!
Who wouldn’t love to spend time every week painting, making music, or writing stories? When we incorporate these familiar, creative mediums into the therapy session, it is easier for your adolescent or teen to stay engaged. As well, your teenager can release negative feelings like anger, jealousy, and anxiety. We teach positive outlets for self-care and self-love. You teenager may be feeling a lot of pressure to be good enough and fit in, and need a safe space to belong.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, we give adolescents and teenagers creative options to feel emotional freedom. Also, painting while talking about a hurtful memory like being bullied or parental divorce can be very positive. Your teenager learns to have an outlet and strategies for releasing anger, worry, or loss through art.
Also, creative art therapy takes the pressure away from therapy.
It is often overwhelming to think about sharing personal details with a therapist. When we are engaged in art making, however, we often forget that we are even in therapy! We are just painting or making music together. As a result, this lower pressure environment can make it easier for your adolescent or teen to build a trusting relationship with their therapist. Also, it makes therapy something they are interested in continuing to do, which can lead to better treatment outcomes.
To begin, click the button below and get started with creative art therapy in Connecticut.
How can creative art therapy help?
When we make art, in any form, we use our experiences to inform what we make. We can only create what we know. For example, if your adolescent or teen writes a story in therapy, they would only be able to write based on the knowledge they have. This means that we can expect the story to contain characters similar to themselves and others in their lives.
Also, it is likely to contain settings and events your child has experienced. Once these have been made known in the story, the therapist can talk to your child about these details in the context of the story. Since we are talking about the story, your child is likely to feel safer discussing overwhelming emotions with their therapist.
When making art, we get the body involved.
You may notice that when your adolescent or teen is experiencing overwhelming emotions, they show it in their bodies. They may tense up with their shoulders rising up to their ears. Or, they may have too much energy pent-up, leading them to have to run or jump. No matter what form our art takes, we must use our bodies.
To draw, write, or sing requires that we use our body in some way. By using creative art therapy with your child, we can release some of that tension or energy. Also, we can channel that energy into the art making process. This helps to teach your adolescent or teen a healthy, productive way of dealing with overwhelming feelings and emotions.
Creative art therapy can make our emotions tangible.
It is difficult for anyone to be experiencing overwhelming emotions that we can’t see! This is especially difficult for adolescent and teens. In creative art therapy, we can make music that sounds like how we are feeling. Or, we can paint an image that describes how we feel. In this way, your child is able to see or hear their emotions. Additionally, they can express these emotions in a more tangible way.
To begin, click the button below to get your adolescent or teen started with creative art therapy in Connecicut.
It is important that your adolescent or teen feels understood and validated.
Using creative mediums can help your child show their therapist exactly how they are feeling. They can draw the dark cloud that they feel is always over them. Or, they can act out the role of their inner critic who always gets in the way. Additionally, we can write a poem full of images and metaphors to share how we feel. This can be an easier way for your teen or adolescent to communicate and express their feelings. Furthermore, it paints a very clear picture for the therapist as to how your child is feeling.
Why should I consider creative art therapy for my adolescent or teen?
Everyone has an inner artist, they just need to find the right medium for them! Your adolescent or teen does not need to be a skilled artist, actor, or writer to benefit from creative art therapy. However, in certain cases, creative art therapy is a more appropriate treatment.
Creative art therapy works exceptionally well with withdrawn adolescents and teens who aren’t talking much. Also, if your child struggles to use words to communicate feelings, creative art therapy can help. Finally, for those adolescents and teens who already enjoy the arts, creative art therapy can be an extension of their interests.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, our specialized therapists can connect with your adolescent or teen in a unique and creative way.
Our team would live to help your child express themselves and learn lifelong coping skills using creative and holistic therapies. We specialize in working with adolescents and teens struggling with anxiety, depression, major life transitions, communication, and social skills. We are LGBTQIA+ affirming, and work with adolescents and teens exploring their gender and sexuality.
