They say “a picture says a thousand words.” In a child’s world, a picture may be the only way he can express the words that are hidden within. Pictures can bridge a divide that exists when words fail, offering important insights and an effective method of communication.

Jane Avila is the founder of The Art Station in Fort Worth, a non-profit organization that offers individual and group art therapy programs. Their mission is to provide a safe and encouraging environment where art can be used to promote personal growth and healing.

According to Avila, art therapy involves the utilization of art as a method for processing challenges in life. Although art therapy can be used for children and adults alike, it can be particularly helpful for children because visual images serve as a language on its own. “Even before they are verbal, they start to draw graphically. They can use a visual language and as a way to invite you into their world. The images are spontaneous. They are not pre-thought and they come from an emotional basis.” Kids that have experienced trauma or abuse can use art therapy as a means of managing their emotions. Avila says when it comes to art, “you can manipulate it, you can control it. Therefore art empowers kids to have some sense of control over the issues.”

Avila states that regardless of our artistic abilities, we are all artists. “There is no particular skill or knowledge needed to participate in art therapy, just an openness to explore art materials. Art therapy is about the process of making the art, not the product that is produced.” She goes on to say that “often, part of the therapeutic process is learning to ‘fire’ the inner critic that not only criticizes our artistic abilities but all other aspects of our life.” She also emphasizes that art produced through art therapy is not intended for the wall or even the refrigerator door. “We must remember that not all art is meant to be shared with others, but rather, is a reflection of our own personal journey.”

Avila shared a portfolio of a six-year-old little girl who had been in and out of foster care throughout her life. When she started art therapy, she was given the opportunity to paint. There were no instructions – just a blank canvas and permission to paint whatever she desired. The little girl covered the canvas with swirls of black paint with the only color being a dark blue circle near the center of her picture. When asked what it was, the little girl said she had painted a rainbow.

As her art therapy continued and her emotional status improved, new colors were slowly introduced and eventually she was able to paint recognizable shapes and images using an entire pallet of colors. According to Avila, “progress is most notably seen in an increase in the use or amount of color, an increase in the spontaneity of the art, and a movement in the developmental progress of the art.” She also sites an increase in the affect and energy of the client while making art as another method for tracking progress.

Those of us in the grown-up world sometimes rely too much on words to express our emotions. As a result, communication is lost when using words as the only method for reaching our children. Art therapy offers another avenue into their world and gives kids a voice to express themselves and paint their own rainbows using the language of art.