Creative Space Art Therapies

23/09/2025

💖

When a child feels seen, their behavior shifts — not out of fear, but out of trust. 💛

They begin to regulate, connect, and try again… not because they’re scared of consequences, but because they feel safe enough to grow.

That’s the power of being truly present.

23/09/2025

🧠Executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes that help us manage and regulate our thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. These processes include skills such as working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

🤸🏽Vestibular input, on the other hand, involves the sensory information related to balance and spatial orientation, primarily managed by the inner ear and brain. It plays a crucial role in our ability to move, balance, and maintain posture.

↔️The connection between executive function and vestibular input is significant, especially in children. Proper vestibular input can support the development of executive function skills by promoting body awareness, spatial orientation, and overall sensory processing.

Activities that provide vestibular stimulation, like swinging, spinning, or balancing, can enhance attention, focus, and the ability to regulate emotions, all of which are critical components of executive function.

Incorporating vestibular activities into daily routines can therefore be beneficial for children and individuals who need to strengthen their executive function skills. This is particularly useful in therapeutic settings, where targeted vestibular input can help improve cognitive and emotional regulation.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/vestibular-activities/

22/09/2025

The ‘Magic’ of Art Therapy – Psychology Today Article by Jennifer Gerlach LCSW

I came across this article recently that I thought was important to share. The article outlines the benefits of art therapy and the ‘magic’ that comes from the creative processes that provide insight and healing for the client.

The author interviews a qualified Art Therapist who describes their role and specifically how art making is used in Art therapy sessions compared with psychologists and counsellors who may use art as a modality to support traditional talk therapy.

I think this is a really important distinction to make and the article outlines this extremely well. Art Therapists do have a distinct role, and their skills are founded in specific training to develop their understanding of the connection between art and psychology and how it is specifically used for emotional processing and healing.

Please click the link below to read the article.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-mental-health/202506/the-magic-of-art-therapy

Warm wishes
Tanya 🌼

An interview with art therapist Marina Doering.

20/09/2025

Agreed!!

Words Worth Holding Onto is a gentle collection of quotes, reminders and affirmations for children and young people navigating big feelings. Sometimes, the right words at the right time can make all the difference.

NEWLY AVAILABLE to accompany our series on the topic. Only £3.25 until 7 October 2025.
Misunderstood Defiance: the Vulnerable Child Toolkit for Parents & Educators
Electronic download in comments.

20/09/2025

Beautiful 💖

20/09/2025

Clear comparison 😇

PDA vs ODD: What’s the difference?

On the surface, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can look similar – both involve a young person resisting or refusing demands.

But the why behind the behaviour is very different.
🔹 PDA is rooted in anxiety and the need for control to feel safe.
🔹 ODD is driven more by patterns of anger, irritability, and defiance.

Understanding the difference matters – because how we support a child depends on what’s underneath.

💬 Have you ever wondered whether a child’s resistance is PDA or ODD?

NEWLY AVAILABLE to accompany our series on the topic. Only £3.25 until 7 October 2025.
Misunderstood Defiance: the Vulnerable Child Toolkit for Parents & Educators
Electronic download available at link in comments.