Tiltan's Therapy Department 

What is Expressive Art Therapy

Expressive art therapy is an emotional therapy like any other, which in addition to the conventional tool of speaking, uses artistic tools. There are many advantages to using these tools, especially working with children, but also in working with adults. Here are some of the outstanding advantages of this form of therapy as opposed to conventional therapy.

• The artistic tools allow a "direct approach" to the depth of the patient

• The artistic tools enable the patient a freeing way to express his emotions

• The artistic tools develop creativity, imagination, initiative, and independence

• The treatment is a fun, unthreatening and liberating experience

• Working through art and expression develops cognitive skills because it forces the patient to be organized, find solutions, communicate with his surroundings, and more.

• The ability to create is crucial for a one's self image and this is why expressive art therapy is helpful in strengthening this.

 

Our Therapists

Tiltan's therapeutic department offers various forms of treatment from the paramedical field. Our group of therapists was specially picked in order to offer our clients as many treatment options as possible as well as the therapists' different styles and personalities. When pairing up the patients with their therapists, we keep in mind these two criteria, out of the understanding that the personal relationship between patient and therapist is crucial to the success of the treatment. All therapists at the center have much experience at working with children and young adults in the educational system as well as the private sector.

The center's staff is composed of therapists specializing in arts, movement, music, and psychodrama. Most of the therapists in the center do not work exclusively in their field, but combine different arts in co-ordinance with the patient's needs. The advantage of combining several forms of art is expressed in flexibility, initiative, independence, and the ability to integrate with the child. Together with that, there is the purpose of nurturing the child's uniqueness and there may be some focus in a certain area.

The staff receives guidance from a clinical psychology specialist.

Group Therapy

Group treatments in the "Tiltan" center are carried out in small groups. There are many advantages to working in a group when it comes to children. Childhood is a time when social bonds take a central role and greatly affect a child's mood and emotional status, and many times determine the child's ability to concentrate and do well in school.

Social difficulty and emotional difficulty are often entwined, affecting one another. Working in a group allows a child to learn how to better communicate and connect to children of the same age group and serves as a reflection as well as an opportunity to amend the child's social behavior outside of the group. Other advantages to working in a group are the opportunity to share hardships with other children as well as dealing with issues such as competitiveness, achievement, and one's place in the family – topics which are very relevant to some children. We put together a group so that all its participants are of similar age and difficulty in order to make the group most efficient.

Systemic Perception

We see keeping close contact with the child's parents, as well as with the school as an inseparable part of the treatment, and make sure to be constantly in touch. (Contact with the school is subject to the parents' consent). There are several forms of parent counseling in the center: personal guidance, group guidance, and a parents' forum. Experience teaches us that guiding the parents, greatly contributes to the child's therapeutic process, and almost always advances him significantly. It is important to mention that the parents are not the ones undergoing treatment, but receiving professional guidance aimed at most effectively and efficiently supporting the child's progress.

In addition to keeping in touch with figures from outside the center (school, parents), there is also an ongoing systemic work inside the center if the child is also learning at the center. One of the advantages to studying and being treated in the same place is the opportunity for action and support (if needed) between teacher and therapist, which can greatly contribute to more efficient work with the child.

Art Expression Therapy As a Way of Treating ADHD
WhyGroup Art Therapy  Is Suited For Children Suffering from ADHD

There are many reasons why group art therapy can be especially efficient in children suffering from ADHD as well as learning difficulties. First and foremost, the interaction with art is used as an opportunity to empower the child and connect him to his strengths and this is what we emphasize in our treatment. The group becomes a fun and strengthening place for the child and in doing so, helps in raising his self esteem.

In addition, experiencing this form of group treatment, allows the child to confront and deal with his difficulties in a safe environment. Work done in the group is not achievement based, there are no grades given, and many times this kind of atmosphere allows a child to display his difficulties. Dealing with these difficulties is done at the right time, with the support and guidance of the therapist.

Working with art, encounters the children with many different fields connected to ADHD and learning difficulties. The following, are a number of symptoms which often accompany those suffering from ADHD/learning difficulties and a short explanation of how they are dealt with in group art therapy:

• Impulsiveness – Through working with visual art, one learns to use different materials in a controlled and regulated way.

• Difficulty in listening to others – Working in a group forces the participants to learn to listen to each other.

• Disorganization – In these groups there is an emphasis put on working freely but in an organized manner.

• Difficulty in focusing on and completing a task – As time passes, the therapist teaches the child not to jump from one thing to another, but to focus on

• Creative problem solving – Many times children are confronted with problems (technical or other) while working with art and try solving them in different ways.

• Low self esteem – Working with art, allows the children many accomplishments which they struggle experiencing in school. These accomplishments serve as a positive reflection of themselves and in time contributes to their self esteem which has many times been damaged by their disability/disorder.

• Social difficulties – Working in a group is very significant for this form of treatment, and much emphasis is placed on interacting with the other group members and instilling more efficient ways of communicating with the other children. One of the most important goals in the group is to recognize behavioral patterns which hinder the child from properly communicating with other children (if there are such patterns) and finding better alternative solutions for him.

 

Family and couples therapy

As a holistic center, we strive to offer our patients and their families all the support we can. Therefore the center has, in addition to the other therapists and teachers, a trained and experienced family and couple therapist.

The center's staff will gladly meet with you and assist you in deciding what will best suit your needs.

 

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