Children are among our most vulnerable populations. As individuals still fully forming, they can require assistance to identify and develop strength with relation to struggles and past traumas. Whether a child is struggling to express themselves or they are dealing with a personal event in life that has left them in need of support, licensed clinical social workers can employ children's therapy to help get the child back on track.

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Let's take a closer look at children's therapy and art therapy as well as how it can benefit those we must endeavor to protect the most.

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Children's Art Therapy: Is This Therapy Right For My Child?

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Art therapy is an offshoot of play therapy, an effective form of treatment designed to connect with children in a way that makes sense to them. While seen by some outsiders as 'just playtime', art therapy undertaken by licensed clinical social workers can become a transformative tool in the life of a child.

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Jim Stangarone, LCSW, CP has spent his career focused on cultivating the experience and techniques necessary to properly help children through art therapy. To prepare potential families and children for this experience, let us elaborate on how children's therapy can employ creativity to support the child in need.

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• Sensory Based Therapy - Some children can have trouble expressing themselves verbally but that doesn't mean that they can't express themselves at all. Art therapy is a non-verbal therapeutic approach that allows children who struggle to find new ways to communicate. This is a way to 'speak' without speaking.

• Create Continued Meaning - The artwork created during children's therapy provides the client the chance to communicate and express themselves. Creating meaning through artwork helps to identify and elaborate on traumatic events without the same level of exposure that traditional talk therapy would impart. Additionally, this practice creates an outlet for self-expression and that can be life-changing for individuals who have struggled in other areas of expressing themselves.

• Empower Children Through Therapy - When undertaking art therapy for the first time, a child may find themselves empowered by their sudden new outlet of communication. With the assistance and support of a clinical psychologist, this method can empower children to believe in themselves and their ability to tackle tough thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

• Mental Clarity & Strength - Finally, the pursuit of art therapy under the care of Jim Stangarone, LCSW, CP, can help to increase the attention span of a child while also addressing any frustrations that they may encounter. Art therapy also promotes problem-solving techniques and skills that can serve children well later in life.

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To begin the exploration of art-based therapy, simply contact Jim Stangarone, LCSW, CP to set up a video appointment. Jim is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with a specialty in treating adolescents.

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