PARENTS/GUARDIANS
The first appointment takes place with the child's parents/guardians. This will allow the parents, guardians, to discuss the concerns they have about their child.
The Child Art Psychotherapist will ask questions about the young person’s early developmental milestones and current functioning.
If the therapist and parents/guardians agree that this form of therapeutic intervention is suitable you will be asked to complete a consent form. Your therapist will then schedule three initial sessions for assessment to measure engagement in therapy. This will be followed by a review with the parents/guardians
Preparing your child/teen
It might be helpful to tell your child that he or she is going to see someone who helps children with their feelings, with things that might be worrying or upsetting them. Avoid naming specific behaviors. You can also tell the child about the art materials.
For adolescents, we advise parents to say "we are worried that you get easily upset about things and we think it would be helpful to speak with someone".
PLEASE NOTE Where children and teens have prolonged mental health difficulties we Do request a GP referral letter.
WHAT INDIVIDUALS SAY ABOUT CHILD ART PSYCHOTHERAPY
WE INVITE YOU TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
Children will express themselves much more authentically through a drawing, this expressive technique is the way the child knows the world. The image created is of things that happened in their lives, that is still with them, art is the child's language.
Violet Oaklander