Child art psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the medium of art as its primary mode of communication. It is internationally recognised as an effective support for children with mental health difficulties and is utilised across clinical, educational, and private settings.
The Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy (CAP) is a specific method of art psychotherapy for children and adolescents up to the age of 18, originally developed in the UK by Vera Vasarhelyi within the context of a multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health team setting. CAP is a psychodynamic approach to art psychotherapy, where young people are supported in exploring and processing past experiences and current difficulties at both conscious and unconscious levels. This exploration is done through the medium of art materials in a safe and contained therapeutic space. The images that are created, and all that is contained within them, are central to the process of coming to a better understanding of feelings and experiences. The method is based on the principle that visual thinking and expression have a distinctive and direct relationship with the unconscious.
The symbolic content of images can facilitate a unique insight into the dynamics of the unconscious, and allow the privilege of seeing hidden processes, which would otherwise remain largely inaccessible to exploration.
Vasarhelyi, 1990
Child art psychotherapy is useful for children and adolescents who find it difficult to express their feelings verbally. The medium of art is used as a bridge to a verbal dialogue. This non-threatening child-led method allows the child/young person to explore their feelings through art in a safe place. It is not necessary that the child/young person has experience or skill in art. The overall aim is to allow the child/young person to accomplish personal growth and change by using the art materials in a safe environment in aiding understanding of their conscious and unconscious imagery.
Children for whom this form of therapy may be particularly beneficial are those suffering from; communication difficulties, family crisis, psychosomatic problems, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulties with emotional regulation and other difficulties relating to the expression of emotions and self-image.
The Process of Child Art Psychotherapy
Intake Session
During the initial meeting the therapist will meet with the parents/guardians. A detailed developmental, emotional and relational history of the child/young person will be taken. This meeting usually lasts for one to one and a half hours. The parents/guardians can discuss any concerns they have about their child/young person. The therapist will then schedule three assessment sessions for the child/young person.
Assessment
Therapy begins with an introductory session followed by three ‘assessment’ sessions. During the ‘assessment’ sessions the therapist invites the child to create an image with a particular theme in mind. These sessions provide the therapist with some indication of the difficulties the child or young person may face. After these three sessions a review meeting takes place with the young person’s parents/guardians to discuss the most appropriate next step regarding ongoing sessions. For subsequent sessions the child is free to create images without themes being presented by the therapist.
Reviews
Regular review meetings are arranged with the therapist and the parents/guardians. The therapist may also liaise with teachers and other health care professionals if appropriate while protecting the child’s confidentiality.
How long does therapy last?
The sessions usually last 50 minutes in duration. The number of sessions varies for each child depending on their unique circumstances and this will be discussed at reviews. It is important to plan a ‘goodbye’ or ‘ending’ session in therapy as it will allow the child time to express any difficult feelings that arise during the process of ending. The therapist usually does a countdown of the last three sessions to plan for a healthy ending to the therapeutic relationship.
Confidentiality The images made in the session and any information shared with the therapist will be treated as confidential. This enables a child or young person to feel safe enough to bring all their worries. The only time the therapist will need to share information is if the child or young person, or someone else is at risk and there is a need to protect them. If this happens, the therapist will speak to the young person and their family and explain what they are going to do.
