School and separation anxiety in children: the psychotherapeutic value of art therapy

Abstract

The clinical illustration presented here showcases the psychotherapeutic benefits of art therapy for children experiencing separation anxiety. Its containing quality facilitates the reconstruction of internal and external boundaries and fosters a sense of personal integrity. By stimulating creativity, imagination, and the projection of internal fears, art therapy enables children to process and express their emotions effectively, leading to improved emotional regulation and coping mechanisms. Separation anxiety can give rise to social and academic adaptation difficulties, which are often associated with learning challenges and academic failures. Based on this, we concluded through an experiment that introducing art therapy, as a form of mental health care for these children, is highly beneficial for improving their well-being.