Art therapy is a growing way to analyze children for mental and emotional problems. As the Western Journal of Medicine notes, "Imagery taps into a person's earliest way of knowing and reacting to the world." This makes it a valuable practice to learn more about a child and how he sees the world around him. Hospitals, psychiatrists, group homes and schools are all beginning to offer various types of art therapies for children as a way to allow them to express themselves and find out more about how their minds work.
Art Assessment
"Handbook of Art Therapy" by Cathy A. Malchiodi identifies that art assessment is an effective way to discern any mental disorders a child might have. Sitting a child down to draw or paint a picture can give you great insight into how her mind works and what mental problems she could be suffering from. Art assessment in the medical setting can alert medical professionals to disorders such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, as well as help the therapist understand the child's strengths, weaknesses, fears and understanding of a subject.
Drawing Stages
Analyzing the various drawing stages that a child goes through week after week in therapy can give a therapist a good idea of how a child is progressing through the therapy. The progression of drawing usually takes years, says Eve Jarboe, Masters of Art Therapy graduate from Marylhurst University. Beginning with a scribble stage, children then move to pre-schematics in the ages from four to seven, when their drawings take on symbolism. The schematic stage occurs at ages seven to nine, when children begin to draw with more realism. A regression in the way a child draws can alert the therapist to a problem.
Imagery
The American Cancer Society recommends a type of art therapy that is little more than looking at pictures and describing them to a health professional. While it may seem rudimentary, these descriptions can give greater insight to the therapist of what the child is thinking, and her general perception of the world. The therapist presents popular paintings, drawings, sculptures and other works of art to the child, and the child tells the therapist what she sees. Even if the therapist gleans no additional insight from the session, the child still enjoys looking at the works of art.
Repair Drawings
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New York Times reported about a group of children undergoing art therapy. They would draw pictures that represented their experience with Katrina, which were often startlingly upsetting, depicting broken homes or dangerous scenes. Art therapists would look over the drawings and suggest "repairs," or things to add to the pictures to make them safer, such as a life vest, bridge or a caring family member. This type of art therapy allows children to voice their fears and find ways to overcome them, especially after a traumatic event.
