Treloar’s Counselling Psychotherapies Team supports the emotional, social and mental health needs of children and adolescents with complex physical disabilities and often learning disability too. The Counselling Team at Treloar’s brings together years of expertise in this field with a breadth and depth of training and specialist knowledge which would not be expected in a mainstream educational setting. We are able to provide therapeutic support which is highly individual. We are fortunate to have a qualified play therapist, art therapist and a music therapist on the team. Rachel Mason is a Highly Specialist Art Therapist, who shared with us facts about art therapy and its importance in a setting like Treloar’s.
1. Why did you choose art therapy as your speciality?
- I am an Artist who loves drawing, painting, and making things! I started my working life supporting adults who have disabilities. I saw the benefit of creative approaches, so it was a natural progression for me to pursue art therapy training.
2. What is art therapy and what does it look like at Treloar’s?
- Art therapy uses art as a means to express feelings and process experiences alongside talking with an art therapist.
- Art therapy offers a less direct way of exploring feelings and experiences, which can be especially helpful if the person is finding it hard to verbalise for any reason.
- Art therapists are skilled at helping pupils to be creative in their own way and at their own pace. They help them to form a personal understanding of what they make in the sessions, rather than interpreting their art.
- The 1-1 sessions are between 30 to 45 minutes; they are confidential and held in a private, quiet space on site.
- Art therapists are psychological therapists registered with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
3. Reasons behind the power of art therapy.
- Visual media has the power to express what is beyond words.
- Art therapy helps the student to process their experiences in their own way and gain new perspectives.
- It also offers physical ways of releasing stress and tension.
- It is playful, fun, and rewarding!
4. The importance of art therapy in a setting like Treloar’s.
- It is a gentle, flexible approach suited to a diverse student population at Treloar’s that includes students who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and students with life limiting conditions.
- We find creative ways to adapt art materials and art interventions to suit the student. For example, some young people may require longer brushes, light boxes (vision impairment), and hand-over-hand support when making art. In addition, some students may use their feet or mouth instead of their hands to draw and paint.
5. What techniques do you use in art therapy? Do they depend on a student you work with?
- In the sessions, students may choose to make without direction or support, make art together, or to make art with help from the therapist depending on the students’ needs and preferences.
- Drawing, painting, modelling, collage, video, photography and play are mediums used in art therapy.
- Some students benefit from a focus on intensive interaction in art therapy. This involves sensitive attunement to the student’s body language, facial expression, and pace of speech. It is an approach that meets the client where they are at.
- Art therapy may be used as a way to explore materials that are sensory and soothing, to gently encourage relaxation and connection.
- Art making may also be used to directly explore a variety of challenges, such as grief, physical pain, and independence.
6. Why would a pupil be referred to art therapy? How do you make a referral?
- Students who may need support with exploring medical and physical challenges, transition, bereavement, anxiety, and low mood may benefit from exploring these difficulties in art therapy.
- If a pupil finds it hard to use verbal language due to their disability, age, or preference, art therapy may be a recommended intervention.
- The Counselling Team accepts email referrals from the student (self-referral), staff, parents, the student’s friend or a peer, or by any other internal or external health professionals.
7. Is art therapy for everyone? How do we know if it’s the right therapy route for us?
- Students of all backgrounds can be referred to art therapy.
- Art therapy starts with a conversation with the student about what is important to them and what they need from therapy sessions. Depending on their age and needs, their parents may also be consulted.
- If the student decides to try art therapy sessions, an assessment period will be agreed which is usually between 6-12 sessions. At the end of the assessment, we will talk about how are sessions are and decide if it is helpful for the student to continue or not.
- Art therapy is reviewed regularly with the pupil, key teacher and their parents.