Why Schools Need Therapeutic Art Now More Than Ever

Schools have always been about more than academic achievement.
They are places where children grow socially, emotionally, and personally.
Today, more than ever before, schools are facing a growing challenge: supporting the emotional wellbeing of pupils who are struggling with anxiety, stress, and trauma.

Therapeutic art offers a powerful, practical solution.
It allows children to explore feelings, regulate their emotions, and build inner resilience — all within a familiar, supportive environment.

In this article, we will explore why therapeutic art is becoming a vital tool for schools, and how it can be integrated meaningfully into the everyday life of education settings.

The Emotional Health Crisis in Schools

In the past few years, school leaders and teachers have seen an undeniable rise in:

• Anxiety and school refusal

• Behavioural challenges linked to emotional dysregulation

• Low self-esteem and disengagement from learning

• Bereavement, trauma, and family breakdown

The pandemic, economic uncertainty, and the pressures of modern life have had a real and lasting impact.
Schools are being asked to do more to support emotional wellbeing, but many teachers feel under-equipped.

This is where therapeutic art comes in — not as a luxury, but as a necessary part of a whole-school approach to mental health.

Why Therapeutic Art Works in Schools

Therapeutic art fits beautifully into the school setting because it is:

• Inclusive: Any child can benefit, regardless of ability, language, or background.

• Non-threatening: There is no pressure to talk or perform; creativity becomes the outlet.

• Flexible: Activities can be adapted for individuals, small groups, or whole classes.

• Evidence-informed: Creative activities have been shown to lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, improve mood, and support emotional regulation.

A simple 30-minute creative session once a week can make a measurable difference in how children cope with challenges, express emotions, and re-engage with learning.

Practical Benefits for Schools

1. Reduced Classroom Disruption
When children have tools for self-regulation, they are less likely to act out or withdraw during lessons.

2. Improved Relationships
Therapeutic art sessions foster trust, empathy, and connection between pupils and staff.

3. Better Mental Health Outcomes
Early intervention through creative outlets can prevent more serious mental health issues developing later.

4. Supports Emotional Literacy
Children learn to name, understand, and manage their emotions more effectively, improving both academic engagement and social skills.

5. Fits Existing Frameworks
Therapeutic art supports initiatives like the DfE's Whole School Approach to Mental Health and can contribute to Ofsted’s personal development criteria.

How Therapeutic Art Complements Academic Learning

Some worry that time spent on creative activities is time taken away from academic work.
In reality, the opposite is often true.

When children feel safer, calmer, and more connected, they are more able to concentrate, retain information, and take risks in their learning.
Therapeutic art builds the foundation that academic success stands upon.

It teaches children how to manage big feelings, stay engaged when learning is difficult, and imagine possibilities beyond current struggles.

Real-World Example: The Case of Noah

Take 'Noah', a fictional but typical example we explore in our STILL Method training.
Noah is a 9-year-old who often refuses to join group work and becomes disruptive during maths lessons.

Through weekly therapeutic art sessions focused on emotional expression, Noah gradually begins to:

• Recognise when he is feeling overwhelmed

• Use drawing as a tool to calm himself

• Feel safe enough to participate more in class activities

In just a few months, his teachers report fewer incidents and stronger peer relationships.

How Schools Can Start Using Therapeutic Art

You do not need to be a trained therapist to introduce therapeutic art into your school.

Many schools are already seeing success by:

• Setting up lunchtime or after-school creative wellbeing clubs

• Offering targeted small group sessions for anxious pupils

• Training staff members to deliver simple therapeutic art activities

• Integrating short creative activities into PSHE lessons

At The STILL Method, our therapeutic art programme is designed specifically to be easy for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, and pastoral staff to use — even if they have no formal art or therapy background.

Final Thoughts

Schools are under tremendous pressure to meet academic targets.
But true education is about nurturing the whole child — mind, heart, and imagination.

Therapeutic art offers a simple, accessible, and proven way to support the emotional needs of children without adding undue burden to already stretched staff.

If you would like to explore how you or your school can benefit from STILL Method Therapeutic Art Training, you can find full details here.