Adolescents have a lot going on inside, and they don’t always feel comfortable talking about themselves.
Adolescence is a unique time in development, full of change. This can cause confusion and inner turmoil as the adolescent navigates peer relationships, physical changes, new discoveries about the world around them, and their dreams for the future. Additionally, adolescents naturally begin to temporarily pull away from their parents as they become more influenced by their peers and search for independence. Adolescents still crave and require guidance, but often do not know whom to trust or how to ask. Art therapy is a place where the adolescent is free to express themselves how they choose without judgment. Through art, we can explore together emotions, thought patterns, fears, stressors, hopes, and goals; problem-solve difficult situations; and explore and appreciate the adolescent’s developing identity.