Problem:
Lougheed's Article discussing the creative group work done with children aging out of the foster care system shows how mindfulness based interventions (MBI's) can be integrated into care in ways that are empowering, trauma informed, and appropriate. Rather than creating strict and clinically aligned exercises, lougheed adapted the inclusion of creativity, identity exploration and reflection of strengths - making it more effective for those impacted by complex trauma histories.
Creative Art-based Mindfulness is an intervention included by Lougheed that focuses on Art being the Anchor of self-awareness. The act of drawing, journaling, or creating takes away the performance aspect of children feeling as though they have to "do something right" or that certain emotions are "wrong". This type of intervention takes away the need for verbal explanation which also fosters children's ability to express emotions they cannot explain.
Another intervention included by Lougheed is, Strength-Based Mindful Identity Work. This intervention focuses not on how children are "at risk" but rather focuses on the strengths that allowed them to survive the challenges and trauma they have faced. This intervention is powerful as it helps to reframe the perspective from survival to resilience. This is extremely important because often at this age children will internalize deficit characteristics or narratives.
If I were to be running my own group, which I have been able to facilitate groups of teen girls who are on probation here in Tucson Arizona, I would include activities that made them reflect on self identity without the inclusion of outside narratives and choices. For example, writing a letter to your future self, and music mapping are two activities that I have done with children. The letter to your future self really helps children reflect on goals, long term supports, and strengths to help them get to their goal. Music mapping is a reflective activity where you match songs to different emotions that we feel. For example, "this song makes me nostalgic", this activity is not only grounding, but helps children find who they are within their own identity and helps to identifying emotions that may be hard to verbally speak on. Reply to a classmate. Need Assignment Help?