Drawing and Talking

Our Story

Drawing and Talking is a safe, easy to learn method of working with children and young adults to help with underlying emotional difficulties that may be affecting their learning, behaviour, self-esteem and relationships. The core of this pro-active intervention is encouraging children and young adults to draw with a person, with whom they feel comfortable, regularly, at the same time each week, and this person asking some non-intrusive questions about the pupil’s drawings. Over time, a symbolic resolution is found to old conflicts, old trauma is healed and the child is more able to sustain good social relationships and better able to access learning. Drawing and Talking works with the child’s inner world rather than with their conscious, cognitive mind. It is not a behaviour modification technique and can therefore be carried out alongside and cognitive behaviour programme. Working with the child’s inner world needs to be carried out safely and non-intrusively, with respect for the child’s own pace and state of being. That is why anyone using Drawing and Talking learns to stay in the world of the child’s drawing. The child sets the pace and decides what to bring to the session. Often, in a first session, a child will produce a very neutral drawing, something in the room or the view from a window. Once they feel safe, their imagination begins to unfold. It is now estimated that ten percent of young people suffer with some kind of mental health problem. Drawing and Talking is a low-level, pro-active and cost effective intervention which is intended to complement rather than replace the work of CAMHS, Art or other specialist therapists, enabling young people, who would otherwise go untreated to get the help they need before problems become entrenched. The Foundation Training Course The foundation course consists of a full day’s training. It is suitable for anyone who is working with vulnerable children or young adults. No previous knowledge, training or experience is necessary. Participants will learn how to put this simple technique into practice. They will learn how to get started, how to run a session and how to deal with common problems which can arise. Drawing and Talking is a serial drawing technique which takes place in weekly session over a twelve week period. During the training there will be an opportunity to see how drawings change over time as this powerful, yet safe, healing method takes effect. The theoretical component to the training will teach basic neurobiological theory relating to trauma, the value of creating a safe and containing space, the importance of endings and losses, and the relevance of attachment. The experiential component will be an opportunity to develop the technique of mentally ‘Holding’ another human being, an essential part of the therapeutic process. Participants will be expected to draw but no special artistic ability is necessary as it is solely to practise, experience and create the sessions for them and people with whom they will be working. By the end of the training, participants should be confident enough to get started in their own schools, Nurture Groups, clinics or other places of work. Training is designed for: Anyone working with vulnerable children or young adults.