Drawing and talking

Children can be impacted emotionally by many different events, struggles or traumas. Sometimes they are unable to make sense of how they are feeling and how those feelings are impacting on their happiness and ability to navigate the world. Too often, children and adults feel afraid to admit they need help around their mental health and emotional wellbeing.  

We all want all our children to be happy and flourish. If we feel this may be the right intervention for your child, they will work 1:1 with one of our trained Drawing and Talking practitioners for 30 minutes, once a week, over 12 sessions. Within the sessions, your child will draw anything they choose, and will be encouraged to then talk about their feelings using storytelling language to help them make sense of their internal world.  

The technique is intended to allow the child to play, by drawing a picture, and process any emotions they are holding internally in a safe and non-confrontational way, working at their own pace. The sessions remain confidential between the child and the practitioner.  

At the end of each session, your child’s picture will be put into their folder and kept safely away until the next session. At the end of all the work (12 sessions), the folder is handed back to your child for them keep as they wish.  

Drawing and Talking is not intended to be used as a tool to ‘find out’ what is wrong or why the child behaves the way they do. It is not behaviour modification or used to fix a problem that a child has or is experiencing. Practitioners do not interpret the pictures and do not ask direct questions. The technique should also not be used to replace other specialist services, (such as CAMHS, Psychotherapy, Art or Play therapy) but can be used as an interim tool whilst waiting to be seen by CAMHS or other professionals and can also be used after referral has been completed to complement external agencies. 

We are proud to have 4 Drawing and Talking Practitioners in school:  

  • Mrs Brooks- Intervention Team Leader 
  • Miss Coleman- Intervention Team 
  • Mrs Copeman- Intervention Team 
  • Mrs Jackson- Intervention Team

For more information on Drawing and Talking, please visit: Drawing and Talking – Home page 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

The Draw & Talk teacher will meet with a pupil for 30 minutes, preferably on the same day, time and place each week, over a 12-week period. 

They will ask the child a number of non-intrusive questions about their drawings, and over time a symbolic resolution is found to conflicts and trauma begins to heal. 

It provides a non-verbal way to communicate the wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties they might be struggling with, to lead to change and growth. Drawing can help also children learn.

Children draw pictures and write to organize ideas and construct meaning from their experiences. However, some students will choose not to draw in the sessions; that is fine. The important part is that they are given a space to talk (and draw) to process their feelings and emotions.

Drawing and Talking is a safe and gentle therapeutic approach, which provides an effective way for children and young people (age 5 to 27) to process emotional pain or trauma they may be experiencing.  

Children are impacted emotionally by many different events, struggles or traumas. Many of our students have commented that they have found the sessions helpful to process what they have been through. 

Drawing and Talking technique is a safe, short term, time-limited therapy to be used with anyone (age 5+) who has suffered trauma or has underlying emotional difficulties. It supports those who are not realising their full potential either academically, professionally or socially.   

After completion of Drawing and Talking Therapy, children are usually more able to control their behaviour, better able to access an academic curriculum and most importantly have higher self-esteem; this allows them to thrive in the world around them.

Students who: 

-Are not realising their full potential, either academically or socially 

-Display inappropriate behaviour   

– Are at risk of being/is excluded from school 

– Incarceration of a family member   

-Have suffered a trauma 

– Are (or are in the process of being) adopted or fostered   

-Have witnessed domestic abuse   

– Suffer from anxiety, stress or phobias 

– Bully others or are bullied themselves  

– Have suffered a loss or bereavement of any kind   

-Are on the poverty line 

– Are withdrawn or frequently unhappy 

-Quarrel frequently with peers or siblings   

– Find it difficult to make friends 

-Struggle with transition 

-diagnosed (or going through the process of diagnosis) with Autism, ADHD, mutism or selective mutism 

This will be discussed during the Induction Meeting, with the headteacher and one of our School Engagement Practitioners (SEPs).    

In order to access the provision, a signed school consent form is required (usually completed as part of the Induction process.)