Every parent dreads receiving a report from schoolteachers about their child’s challenging behaviors. Why does my child disrespect others? Why do they use abusive language? Why do they tend to lie to people? Why do they often get into fights? These behaviors, at school or at home, may have deep-rooted causes and require professional intervention.

ELG’s internationally certified Art Therapists encourage your child’s creative expression, helping them to explore their feelings, inner thoughts, and experiences through the creative process. You will see your child engaging in various artistic activities, such as drawing, coloring, painting, journaling, sketching, or sculpting with clay. These activities empower your child to communicate when words are difficult or not enough. During parts of the creation process, our therapist may quietly observe your child without interference or judgment. They might ask your child questions about how they feel about the resulting artwork, and what thoughts or memories they had while creating the art. The Art Therapist will then support you and your child to uncover the nonverbal messages behind the artwork in order to make sense of feelings and behaviors.  

Children and young people often find it hard to tell anyone that they are struggling with their mental health, and they should be reassured that most people need psychological support at some point in their life. If you have any concerns for your child’s mental health, we encourage you to talk to your child about how they are feeling and book an appointment. At ELG, we have a diverse team of caring and compassionate psychologists and counselors to meet the needs of anyone who is struggling.