Art Therapy Group with Adolescents

My first art therapy group at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Looking back at my first art therapy group, I realise how much I learned, not only about others, but about myself too. It was a short group, but a deep and emotional journey for everyone involved.

Working with teenagers is always special. They are in a time of change—growing up, figuring out who they are, often feeling lost or unsure. I was still a student back then, and also a foreigner in a new country. At first, I was nervous. But I think being close to their age and from a different background helped. They didn’t see me as a typical adult or authority figure. Sometimes, they even helped me understand their culture better, which made them feel more confident and involved.

I was supposed to have a co-therapist to support me, but she stayed very quiet and didn’t really take part. That was hard at the beginning, but it also pushed me to step up and take responsibility. I had to find my voice, learn to set limits, and guide the group more actively. I made mistakes, of course—one of the biggest being that I tried too hard to seem perfect. I’ve learned since then that it’s okay to be honest and human. Young people feel safer when we are real with them.

The best part of the group was the art. When talking was difficult, the art became our way of communicating. It helped the group feel safe, gave structure, and allowed each person to express their feelings in their own way. Sometimes, it even saved the group when I didn’t know what to do. That’s the magic of art.

Art therapy won’t erase all the pain or problems someone has lived through. But it can help people feel seen, understood, and supported. I hope this group gave something meaningful to the young people who were part of it. I know it gave a lot to me.

And a big thank you to Ann, for being there to support and guide me during this first important step 👍🙏