How might a 6-session art therapy group support elementary school students with special education needs (SEN) to cultivate resilience? SAF Intern Veronica Ng will be putting this question to the test in her upcoming research project to fulfil her studies at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.
Overview
Veronica Ng is a student at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and is currently working as an Intern at the Sovereign Art Foundation. She has co-facilitated Make It Better Groups and Caring for Caregivers Group in different centres and schools since 2022. In October, she will apply the knowledge and strategies she has learned throughout the year and facilitate an art therapy research program at Asbury Methodist Primary School as part of a fulfillment for her to graduate. Based on her observation from her internship experience, Veronica is interested in exploring ‘How Might A 6-Session Art Therapy Group Support Elementary School Students with Special Education Needs (SEN) To Cultivate Resilience?’.
Project Aims
Veronica hopes her research project can provide an opportunity for children with SEN in Hong Kong to explore their negative emotions through artmaking in order to support them in cultivating resilience, developing positive relationships with people around them and achieving a better quality of life. This project also aims to introduce students to art therapy and a variety of relaxation strategies to destress. Moreover, Veronica hopes to support the students in practicing mindfulness strategies and cultivating resilience, which may help them cope with challenges more effectively and become more stress-resistant; thus, living a healthier life.
Project Structure
A group of 6 primary 1 to 3 students and a group of 6 primary 4 to 6 students who are currently studying in Asbury will be recruited to participate in this 6-session art therapy research program. Throughout the program, Veronica is going to introduce a variety of techniques for self-care, mindfulness and meditation practices, and support students to develop resilience through art making. After each activity, Veronica will invite participants to share their artwork and their experiences within the group.
Students will be able to learn various stress relief and coping strategies. A Facebook post regarding the research program will be made on Asbury’s public Facebook page following the completion of the art therapy research program to promote art therapy and share the Veronica’s findings. It will include a brief introduction about what is art therapy, a summary of the research project, and some of the participants’ testimonials.
