For some children and adolescents, emotional and mental health challenges can cause academic difficulties, and for others, learning disabilities, ADHD, and dyslexia can be the cause of increasing emotional and social challenges. Either way, unfortunately, many children and teens then get caught up in a cycle of feeling bad about themselves, doing poorly at school, and then feeling worse only to perpetuate this cycle.
Art psychotherapy can be a pleasant, non- threatening way to address emotional and mental health issues for children, and it also has the added advantage of facilitating developmental growth in the social, emotional, and cognitive areas, all of which are conducive to academic success. I work from an attachment based, psychodynamically oriented and trauma informed approach, which when combined with the creative process, can support my young clients in both feeling better overall, and as a result, improving their academic performance. Confidence is increased, difficult topics are explored safely through the creative process, and when focus and concentration are a challenge, the art interventions specifically chosen for each child can increase their frustration tolerance which can help with emotional regulation and academic tasks. In many cases, the addition of art therapy alone over time can effect great change emotionally and help the child or teen get back on track academically.
There are some instances, however, when additional interventions are necessary, beyond what can be provided through art psychotherapy and services provided by the school system. In these instances, I recommend Ronnie Silver of Adelphi Educational Services, Inc. Ronnie is a learning consultant with much experience, masters level training in both psych/remedial reading and in learning disabilities, and years of experience teaching in the classroom, as a consultant for schools, a clinician, and in private practice. She provides a personalized approach for each child, whether they are struggling to read, or have begun to struggle later on and need help preparing for the SATs or their college essays, and anywhere in between. Not only does Ronnie help a child learn the subject at hand, whether it’s reading, writing, or math, she helps them learn how to learn. You can learn more about Ronnie here: https://www.adelphitutoring.com.