Super art session helps children find their inner hero

WITH the school holidays in full swing, two childhood friends have joined professions to employ the use of creative therapy through artistic expression for kids aged 10 to 12 years of age.

Art studio owner of The Tipsy Creative in Geelong, Helen Richards, and clinical psychologist of Bellarine Peninsula Psychology, Marnie Holden, are holding an art session this Friday in Belmont to help primary school kids find their inner superheroes and express themselves without the use of words.

“Because of COVID, long waitlists are everywhere, so to get some extra services out there is really good,” Ms Holden said.

Ms Holden, who has been working with children at her clinic since 2019, said it was the perfect way for kids, particularly with mental disorders, to express themselves through sensory experiences without the added pressure of having to use words.

“The central idea when you think about superheroes you know, is the vast majority of them have a deep-seated traumatic event that happened to them early in life,” she said.

“Such as Batman and Harry Potter both losing their parents, or Spider-Man losing his uncle – it helps kids think about what has happened in their life and learn how to overcome them.”

In terms of the origins of this idea, the research and writing done by American psychologist Janina Scarlet is to be credited.

Scarlet is most known for her work done with active-duty service members who have been hampered by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and now Ms Holden is trying to put this method into practice with her patients.

The collaboration started to take shape a couple of months ago when Ms Holden came up with the idea of “mixing the cognitive and the creative”, where Ms Richards was more than happy to oblige especially given the ideal environment her business presents.

“My studio is bright, colourful and light-filled,” Ms Richards said.

“It is also a fun, relaxed environment and it is just a safe space for kids to enjoy and express themselves, relate to their superheroes and discover their own superhero origins which can apply to everyone and anyone.”

Along with other creative therapies that have been used in the past by psychologists such as play, music and equine therapy, Ms Holden also believes this idea could be an ongoing treatment method for a lot of her patients.

If you have a child that might find this activity beneficial or interesting, you can contact The Tipsy Creative or Bellarine Peninsula Psychology directly for more details.