This project involves assisting children who are coping with bereavement, and having them participate in an Art Therapy master's thesis project. The expected duration of your child's participation is up to two hours per session, for a maximum of two sessions. Your child will have the opportunity in the game-play to draw, sculpt, physically express, converse, and socially interact with like peers and a professionally trained adult. The child may experience momentary sadness as he or she recalls the person who has died.
Most children find the game-play experience enjoyable.
The opportunity to express with their peers concerns, emotions, experiences, and thoughts about the bereavement process generally brings relief. In addition to this game-play, alternatives for grief expression include speaking to the school counselor, bereavement counselor, clergy, expressive therapist or participation in support groups. With your permission, your child's art work may be used in the written thesis, thesis presentation, and educational training. The child's name will not be used in conjunction with any representation of his or her art work. With your permission, the game-play sessions may be videotaped for educational and professional purposes.