Art Therapy in Education Workshops

Staff development - Art Therapy group workshops for all staff in the education system e.g. educators, art teachers and counsellors.

Choose from a 2 ½ hour mini-workshop or a 1-Day Art Therapy workshop.

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a dynamic symbiosis of art and psychotherapy and is effective for both children and adults of all ages. It is often difficult to express one's self solely through the use of words. The creative art object offers an alternate means of communication and expression. Art Therapy focuses on the interactive process of creativity rather than the outcome of a ’good’ picture! Everyone can benefit, and no judgments are made on the artwork.

Why Art Therapy?

Children and adolescents are going through many changes in their lives which often result in feelings of underlying confusion, anxiety or a sense of feeling overwhelmed. They may struggle to make sense of thoughts, feelings and experiences verbally and process them appropriately. These difficult feelings and/or experiences are often pushed down or repressed resulting in pupils becoming withdrawn, quiet or ‘naughty’ which may be ‘experienced or ‘labeled’ as ‘bad behaviour’ or being shy or introverted.

The process of Art Therapy provides a non-verbal and spontaneous means of communication and self-expression. The varied art materials offer the learner an indirect hence less threatening means of processing and working through of any difficulties that are experienced in the presence of a qualified and registered Art Therapist who provides a non-judgmental safe space. Through the medium of creative expression and exploration of the underlying symbolic processes - learning, growth, healing and transformation occur.

Why Art Therapy in Education?

Research shows that when children are experiencing emotional difficulties, their cognitive functioning can be affected and they can find processing and learning difficult. In schools today, more and more educators are being equipped to support learners in their overall well-being in order to positively impact on their academic, sporting and cultural performance. School-based Art Therapy assists staff in understanding the emotional needs of children and helping children express themselves in a creative manner, which aids their growth and development and enhances the well-being of the wider school community.

Why an Art Therapy Workshop for Staff at Schools?

The aim of introducing Art Therapy to schools is to provide a space for professionals working with children in education to be exposed to new skills and explore and discover how the creative Art Therapy process can benefit the well-being of students in the classroom. Participation in the workshop is formative and experiential in that Educators will have opportunities to understand how a child experiences and thrives on being seen, heard and understood in a manner that is creative, non-verbal and not easily accessible solely though words.

The workshops may include theoretical information and discussions, clinical case studies, experiential art-making and reflection. No art experience is required to benefit.

Content of the 1-Day Workshop:

• Sensitize staff to the process and benefits of Art Therapy
• How to understand learner's art in a different way
• Understanding the difference between teaching art and Art Therapy
• Understanding the difference between directive and non-directive art
• Introduces art as a form of communication where words can be limited
• Introduces the symbolic nature of art and how it correlates to a learner’s internal world
• Introduces the concept of boundaries versus limitations
• Explores the concept of a safe space as a means of emotional containment
• The enhancement of listening skills without necessarily needing to give advice/fix/solve
• Exploring the concept of ‘Free association’ in order to build imagination
• The importance of using one’s imagination in order to think outside the box, solves problems and build self-esteem
• Clinical case studies and/or examples of Art Therapy with various children
• Experiential participation in a creative and non-judgmental manner to access the inherent creativity that each person has
• Voluntary reflection of art images to integrate both professional and personal learning within the Art Therapy process
• Creative problem solving: when things go ‘wrong’ in a learner’s world
• Understanding and recognizing difficult behaviour as an expression of inner difficulties
• Benefits of using Art Therapy with children with special needs such as emotional and behavioural problems (EBD), learning difficulties, ADD/ADHD etc.
• Exploration of the multi-dimensional aspects of possible meaning in children’s artworks in context as opposed to a 1-dimensional model of thinking
• When to refer children for therapy
• Q&A

Target Audience

Each workshop is fine-tuned to requirements of each group of participants.

This workshop is appropriate for staff from all levels of education (pre-primary/ primary/middle/high school) including Principals, educators, art teachers, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, academic support teachers, facilitators, remedial therapists, speech therapists, OT’s, parents and all adults who work with children to support them in reaching their potential.

About the Facilitator

Samantha Davis is an internationally trained and registered Art Psychotherapist (HPCSA AT 0000469 - view verification document here) and has operated a private Art Therapy practice for professionals, adults & children in both individual and group capacities for over 24 years in South Africa.

She has worked with children with ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, refugee children, emotional and behavioural difficulties, physical disabilities, trauma, HIV/Aids and orphan kids, underprivileged children, orphanages and children with autism. Sami has worked in psychiatry and addiction including eating disorders with adults and teens.

Sam has also worked extensively running groups and workshops with the South African Department of Education, including Educators & Government Officials working with children with HIV/Aids and within Inclusive Education.

Staff Development Art Therapy Mini-Workshop (2 ½ hours)

This 2 ½ hour taster workshop introduces the concept, the process and potential of Art Therapy. It also includes a mini-experiential creativity session (as more is learnt through hands-on participation than sitting in a lecture) which is followed by a discussion, voluntary reflection and Q&A. Note that there is no judgment on artwork as the focus is on the process of Art Therapy and not product of ‘good’ art.

Time: 2 ½ hours
Venue: Your school
City: Cape Town (travel fees apply outside of Cape Town)
Cost: Starting from R5950 for groups of up to 20 people

Staff Development Art Therapy 1-Day Workshop

Time: 1 full day or 2 x half days
Venue: Your school
City: Cape Town (travel fees apply outside of Cape Town)

These workshops are fine-tuned to suite your specific requirements, e.g. staff development days, skill development, teambuilding, working with special needs, trauma debriefing, change or loss, career development, case studies of particular clients groups, support workshops, wellness days.

PLEASE NOTE: These introductory courses do NOT equip staff to do Art Therapy with learners.  Art Therapy is a 2 year full-time Masters training. Following this, one needs to register with the HPCSA to practice Art Therapy in South Africa. Go here to find more information about Art Therapy training in South Africa.

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Art Therapy