Children and Young People
There has never been a more important time to nurture mental health and wellbeing than in the teenage years, particularly as young people navigate the pressures and challenges of today.** School can be tough too, with the constant pressure to do well, managing peer groups, navigating friendships and making choices for the future.
Common areas of struggle for children and teenagers are anger, low mood, low self-esteem, anxiety, including social anxiety, self-harming and suicidal thoughts. It is important to understand what is going on for the child or young person, communicate in a way that feels accessible and meaningful to them, and to help them understand the bigger picture and identify their needs.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT for teenagers can be helpful for a wide range of difficulties. It can help young people understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and develop more helpful ways of coping. Read more about CBT here.
Personed Centred Creative Art therapy (PCCA)
A picture is worth a thousand words.
It can be hard for the young person to verbalise what they are struggling with. Person-Centred Creative Art Therapy can provide another way for them to express and explore their experiences. Reflection on the work can help the young person to make sense of what they are struggling with and to identify their needs and explore ways of coping.
Creative arts therapy is an activity where a person, child or group uses creative mediums to explore and express themselves creatively. There is no need to be artistic.
This can include drawing and painting, as well as activities such as working with a sand tray, clay or other materials, guided imagery, drama, movement, puppets, poetry and storytelling. Creating art can be incredibly therapeutic and can provide a safe and accessible way to express thoughts and feelings. Using Creative Art in therapy can be a very effective and powerful therapeutic process.
The focus is not on creating something that looks good or being ‘artistic’. Instead, the creative process can help young people explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences in a way that feels natural to them.
Read more about this approach:
PCCA is suitable and safe for children, young people and adults.
