Behavior for Better Choices: Jersey City Public Schools provides two programs for children who have difficulty functioning within the rules of the district’s student code of conduct and academic expectations. The students referred to the program often act out to relieve the pain of many failures and feelings of worthlessness. A creative arts therapist works with the students to help them consider their negative behaviors and improve on them.
Florida
Miami-Dade County Public Schools initiated an art therapy program in 1979, employing a team of 20 therapists to serve over 500 K–12 students. This program has become a model for similar initiatives across Florida and the nation, particularly benefiting students with special needs and emotional challenges.
In Okeechobee County, the nonprofit Tykes & Teens has implemented art therapy in schools to help students express emotions and cope with trauma. One project involved students creating "inside/outside" masks to depict their internal and external selves, fostering emotional awareness and communication.
New Jersey
Jersey City Public Schools launched an art therapy program in 1993, deploying multiple art therapists across all district schools. These therapists work with both general and special education students, addressing a range of emotional and behavioral issues through creative expression.
New York: Schools use art to help kids through trauma
Art as resilience: Kids who got art therapy during the pandemic say it helped.
California
The Larkspur School in California has implemented individualized art therapy sessions for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties. These sessions have led to reduced emotional outbursts, improved classroom behavior, and enhanced academic performance, demonstrating the positive impact of art therapy on student well-being.
Georgia
The University of Georgia collaborates with local schools to provide art therapy services to children who have experienced trauma. Through creative projects, students build resilience and gain emotional tools that aid in their recovery and personal growth.
In Thomasville, Georgia, Free Art Therapy Empowers Kids with Autism to Connect and Express.
Connecticut
Connecticut's Head Start program offers art therapy initiatives for preschoolers, focusing on fostering cognitive and emotional development while addressing behavioral challenges. These programs help young children develop coping skills and emotional regulation through creative activities.
These examples illustrate the diverse and effective applications of art therapy across various states, highlighting its role in enhancing student mental health and educational outcomes.