Therapeutic non-verbal activities help sisters feel safe

Despite their youth, 8-year-old Molly and 11-year-old Matilda* have already experienced so much. Their history of trauma includes domestic violence, family separation and exposure to drug and alcohol abuse.

Experiences like these are so often linked to diagnosis of mental health disorders, and when Matilda and Molly were referred to our Family Mental Health Support Services, both were living with hypervigilance, anxiety and emotional dysregulation.

Sadly, their story is not an unfamiliar one. In Australia, one in seven 4-17-year-olds have experienced a mental health condition in the past 12 months[1]*.

Therapy sessions were challenging. Both girls were hyper-aroused and anxious around new adults and Matilda also struggled to concentrate.

To overcome these challenges, their counsellor used creative activities to build trust, encourage right brain activity, support the girls to feel calm and safe, and help Matilda and Molly express their ‘internal worlds’ on paper.

During one session, gentle music was played while the girls painted people, objects and places that gave them comfort when they were worried or scared. Both girls loved experimenting with colours and ideas, and as they painted, conversations naturally unfolded about safety and what made them feel safe.

Both Matilda and Molly painted for over an hour, producing 18 pieces of work – which was incredible!

The non-threatening, non-verbal activity helped the girls express their feelings and learn strategies they can use to help them feel safe and regulate their emotions in the future.

*Names and ages have been changed

Baptist Care SA’s Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au

[1] 2015 Lawrence D, Johnson S, Hafekost J, Boterhorende Haan K, Sawyer M, Ainley J, Zubrick S: The Department of Health: The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Available from: health.gov.au