School-based therapy helps those on mental health waiting list

As part of our special series on children and young people's mental health, we have been looking at a school-based therapy called 'Drawing and Talking'.

It is being used in schools across the UK including Rushey Mead Primary School in Leicester.

What is Drawing and Talking therapy?

• Established in 2004, Drawing and Talking hosts training days across the UK throughout the year, which teach an innovative and informed therapy method for use with people who have suffered trauma or who have underlying emotional difficulties that may be affecting their behaviour.

• Originally developed as a school-based therapy method, Drawing and Talking provides low cost, early-intervention for children on the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) or other outside agencies, or, who are showing signs of anxious-avoidant insecure attachment.

• The therapy technique is estimated to be used in around 7,000 schools across the UK, helping approximately 520,000 children.

Is Drawing and Talking therapy just for children?

• The therapy technique also helps to improve the wellbeing of adults, specifically those effected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, domestic violence and bereavement.

How does Drawing and Talking therapy work?

• The Drawing and Talking therapy method encourages each side of the brain to work together to process difficult or painful memories by combining drawing, a right-brained activity, and talking, a left-brained activity. Over time, these painful memories are processed, which will often lead to more positive wellbeing and for children, improved behaviour and engagement with the national curriculum.

For more information on Drawing and Talking training courses click here.