Dear Life Coach,

For a school-age child who is having difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings about previous abuse, I recommend considering alternative forms of expression, such as art. There are, of course, art therapists who are specially trained in the process of guiding and interpreting children's work, but other adults can learn to facilitate the process, too. I have included some links below detailing the art therapy profession, information on talking with children about their art, and a link to a highly recommended art therapy and activity guide book.

That said, if the child is exhibiting significant distress and difficulty related to their abuse, a pediatrician or other professional should be brought in to evaluate and recommend treatment options.

Good luck.

L. Compian, Ph.D.
Counseling Psychologist
Education.com Expert Panel