An art therapy group for siblings of seriously ill children

Art therapy can help meet the needs of children as they face bereavement. As hard as it is for adults to talk about death and how death affects them, it is even harder for children. 

Children benefit from learning about and sharing healing strategies that other children find effective. Youngsters whose sibling is dying may not be able to describe how they are feeling, either because their emotions are too complex or because they lack the verbal ability to do so. Creative strategies help mourning children express their feelings and cope with sadness, fear, guilt and other emotions that accompany death of a loved one.

The impending death of a child affects every member of the family. Parents, siblings and the dying child may be confused by an array of emotions, including shock, disbelief and anger. Children may have an especially difficult time expressing their feelings. Children’s understanding of death, their own or someone else’s, is related to their developmental stage. Art therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps children in crisis develop and practice positive, healthy coping strategies. 

Kids: Coping with Anxiety About Surgery

Children may have an especially difficult time expressing their thoughts and feelings related to surger. Due to their developmental age, children’s reactions to surgical procedures often results in feelings of helplessness, fear and isolation. This is compounded by the hospital’s unfamiliar, even scary environment and by non-verbal messages they receive from their parents, siblings and medical staff that can also cause fear and anxiety.

Children benefit from learning about and sharing healing strategies with peers in similar circumstances. These strategies include guided imagery, relaxation techniques and creative alternatives that provide an outlet for strong emotions and offer new ways to work through anxiety. Art therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps children under stress develop and practice positive, healthy coping strategies.

Me and My Body: Dealing with Body Image After Surgery

Children may have difficulties expressing their thoughts and feelings related to physical limitations and/or abnormalities following surgical procedures. Their reactions to being “different” physically than other children may result in low self-esteem, sadness, anger, anxiety and isolation. Art therapy can help children explore thoughts and feelings surrounding physical limitations and promote healthy, positive perceptions regarding appearance.

Children benefit from learning about and sharing healing strategies with peers in similar circumstances. These creative alternatives are geared specifically for children struggling with body image and offer new ways to provide outlets for strong emotions. Art therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps children under emotional stress develop and practice healthy coping strategies.