We work in schools because we know that children find it easier to feel safe enough to explore their feelings and experiences in a familiar environment. It also helps us to support them, if we are working together with the people who are important to them and who they will see every day – their teachers, other school staff and their parents/ carers.

 

In schools, we are able to offer a wide range of art workshops, on-going art therapy groups and individual sessions:

At Hertfordshire Art Therapy, we provide highly specialist, art-based therapeutic interventions to schools in the local area. We work directly at the contracted schools with referred children who may struggle with learning and accessing school life due to various reasons, i.e. changes in their home lives, emotional and developmental difficulties, loss or other challenges that impede their ability to fully access education.

 

With a focus on addressing attainment gaps in schools, we hope that our unique educational tool will enhance schools’ information around pupil premium guidance that can then assist them in attracting additional government funding for disadvantaged and the most vulnerable children.

 

A child may benefit from a referral to Art Therapy

• Following a difficult event in a child’s/young person’s life, i.e. bereavement, change in home life.
• When a sudden change in behaviour can be observed by staff or families, for instance in the form of withdrawal, disproportionate aggression, reacting strongly and distinctively different from the ‘usual’, becoming easily upset or tearful about something.
• When there are difficulties to form or maintain friendships and/or bullying.
• When there is excessive attention seeking or a difficulty to conform to classroom rules.
• To improve self-esteem.

As residents of Hertfordshire, we are targeting the schools and educational institutions in the local area to benefit the communities in this county.

 

We deliver our services directly at the institutions themselves to minimise disruption in the young person’s life. This allows the service to be best integrated into a whole school approach to support individuals in Hertfordshire to grow and achieve, not only academically but also personally, to foster their resilience and thus prepare them for an increasingly complex society.

Art Therapy group workshops present a uniquely effective tool to support research students:

 

1/ Addressing isolation

The physicality of the art-making process in a group setting naturally offers opportunities to build relationships in a playful, non-threatening way.

 

A sense of togetherness and the formation of meaningful relationships is facilitated. This further models the important learning outcome of ‘networking’ in a small, non-judgemental space where this may be experienced and experimented with.

 

Furthermore, commonalities (i.e. similar emotions, challenges etc.) between participants may be identified and recognised to help sense of self within a group.

 

2/ Creative Thinking

By tapping into the unconscious, as well as in exchange with others and by engaging with the art materials, novel ways of thinking may be accessed and new ideas can emerge.

 

3/ Non-verbal communication to aid self-expression

The art materials, the art-making process and the relationships function as an interface for complex, often non-verbal communication.

 

This may be particularly useful for individuals who find it difficult to reach out to others verbally or put thoughts and feelings in words.

 

4/ Difference and diversity can be experienced and explored safely

 

5/ Complex and sensitive subjects can be discussed
such as mental health, stress, personal growth, self-care.

This can support students’ self-confidence, self-awareness and help them manage stress and improve their problem solving skills, all areas being crucial for academic success.