The Heart Behind the Art: How We Support Every Child

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression - such as drawing, painting, sculpture, or collage as a way for individuals to explore emotions, develop self-awareness, manage stress, and work through personal challenges.

Art therapy can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. It can help someone express feelings that may be difficult to verbalise, process trauma, improve self-esteem, and support mental health and emotional well-being. Importantly, artistic skill is not required—what matters is the process, not the final product.

At The Art and Soul Club, we believe every child is unique, and so is their path to healing and self-expression. That’s why we use a blended approach to art therapy, drawing from a range of therapeutic models - like those listed below. By combining these methods, we tailor each session to suit the emotional, developmental, and creative needs of the individual child. Whether they need a safe space to express big feelings, build confidence, or simply connect through creativity, our flexible and compassionate approach ensures they feel seen, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

1. Humanistic Approach

  • Core Idea: Emphasises the child’s capacity for growth, self-expression, and self-healing.

  • Philosophical Basis: Rooted in existential and phenomenological philosophy (e.g., Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow).

  • In Practice: Therapists provide a non-judgmental, empathetic environment where children can express feelings and explore their identity through art.

2. Psychodynamic Approach

  • Core Idea: Focuses on unconscious processes, internal conflicts, and early experiences.

  • Philosophical Basis: Draws from Freudian and Jungian theories; uses symbolism and free association.

  • In Practice: Art is a projection of the child’s inner world. The therapist interprets the symbolic content to uncover hidden emotions and unresolved issues.

3. Cognitive-Behavioral Approach (CBT)

  • Core Idea: Sees art as a way to externalize and reframe thoughts and behaviors.

  • Philosophical Basis: Empirical and pragmatic—focuses on problem-solving and behavior change.

  • In Practice: Art activities are structured to help children identify maladaptive thoughts and develop coping skills.

4. Developmental Approach

  • Core Idea: Understands art-making in relation to the child’s cognitive, emotional, and motor development.

  • Philosophical Basis: Influenced by Piaget and Vygotsky—emphasizes stages of growth and the role of scaffolding.

  • In Practice: Art therapy activities are tailored to the child’s developmental stage to support age-appropriate expression and healing.

5. Systemic/Family Therapy Approach

  • Core Idea: Views the child in the context of family and social systems.

  • Philosophical Basis: Rooted in systems theory and constructivism.

  • In Practice: Art is used to explore family dynamics, communication patterns, and relational roles. Sometimes involves family members in sessions.

6. Narrative and Constructivist Approach

  • Core Idea: Encourages children to tell and re-author their life stories through visual language.

  • Philosophical Basis: Draws from postmodern philosophy and narrative therapy (e.g., Michael White).

  • In Practice: Art helps children externalize problems ("the problem is the problem, not the person") and construct empowering narratives.

7. Transpersonal Approach

  • Core Idea: Incorporates spiritual, existential, and transcendent dimensions of healing.

  • Philosophical Basis: Informed by spiritual traditions, Jungian archetypes, and holistic philosophies.

  • In Practice: Art is a medium for exploring deeper meanings, dreams, archetypes, and spiritual symbols.