Programs for Children

Child-centered art therapy

Therapy with children is centrally focused on their individual functioning within the context of their family. A four-session assessment process precedes the therapy process and aids in fully understanding the child and the problem at hand. This assessment process includes a meeting with parents or caregivers and the therapist only to get a full developmental history of the child and discuss how therapy works with young children. The second session is a family art therapy session where all members of the family participate to get a sense of how the child interacts with their family members. This also eases the child’s anxieties about what to expect when coming to visit a therapist and sets the tone to the child that everyone in their family will help solve the problems involved. The third visit is an art therapy assessment session with the child alone. This is a way of getting to know the child and how they envision and perceive their whole world. Finally, the therapist and parents meet again to outline the observations from the assessment, set goals and begin providing support for the parents in helping their child.

From there, child-focused therapy includes cognitive-behavioral problem solving each week, connecting with school personnel or other providers of care for the child and the creative, imaginative work of art and play therapy where children explore their full range of feelings and the resources within themselves that help them cope with stressors. Art and play therapy are natural avenues for children to communicate about their internal worlds and therefore, provide a natural outlet for exploring feelings and releasing blocks to healthy emotional functioning.

Art Therapy with Children addresses issues such as:

• Oppositional/Defiant disorder
• AD/HD
• Depression and dysthymia
• Anxiety disorders
• Developmental delays
• Trauma
• Grief and Loss

The Art of Friendship Social Skills Groups

This award-winning program developed by Michael Fogel is brought to Center City at Parent to Child. Small groups offer support for children with a variety of social cognitive deficits. In every group session your child will experience direct instruction of social awareness and skills from Michelle Garcia-Winner’s social thinking curriculum. Social skills instruction is combined with developmentally appropriate opportunities to practice socializing with peers. Parents receive feedback and information to help transfer the social skills concepts and techniques home. Groups are ongoing throughout the year, and the program has “rolling admission”, which means that new children may enroll whenever space becomes available. Children’s needs and level of functioning are carefully assessed prior to their being admitted to the group. To maximize success, children are matched with groups of children with similar social challenges and levels of functioning.

What we offer:

• Small group learning
• Fun & developmentally appropriate activities to spark learning
• Safety & camaraderie
• Parent support
• Connections to school or other professionals
• Individual therapy or social coaching

Targeted Skills Include:

• Handling emotions/self-regulation
• Joining play & conversations
• Conversation techniques
• Conflict resolution/problem solving
• Flexibility
• Cooperation/team building