OUR MISSION
Blue Box Creative Arts Therapy Centre transforms vulnerable children's lives with innovative, research-based Play and Creative Arts Therapies, fostering mental health and well-being.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Blue Box is to provide psychotherapy services to children, young people and their families to realise their full potential through research-based, innovative, professional and accredited Play and Creative Arts Therapies.
We are here to support the well-being & mental health of vulnerable children and young people of all abilities (3-18 yrs). Through the Creative Arts Psychotherapy model, we address the emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and developmental needs of vulnerable children and families living in the Mid-West. We do this by developing therapy interventions in response to the mental health and well-being needs of children in schools, community settings or on-site in our purposely designed centre. By partnering with HSE, Mental Health Services, TUSLA, Youth Services and Schools/Education services, as well as other community organisations, we are responding to the growing need for child appropriate psychological intervention services.
Through the medium of Play and Creative Arts Psychotherapy, we work with children & their families to create a healthier, more pro-active participation in their own lives, schools, communities and society. Blue Box is the only charity that provides free support and therapy services to children/youth in 11 DEIS schools in Limerick. We provide services to 11 schools as well as on-site services at Blue Box. We have supported 131 children and their families so far in 2024 delivering 2480 hours of service.
We are happy to accept parent/carer or family referrals for our therapy services. If you’re interested in referring your child, please feel free to get in touch with us by phone or email for more information on how to proceed. more information can be found in our ‘Parents Area’
ACE'S
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Since 1998, Vincent Felitti, Robert Anda and colleagues have accumulated evidence that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) literally attack the structures of a child’s developing brain, leading to “lasting effects on brain structure and function”. This brain injury – acquired in infancy or adolescence – has serious individual and societal costs.
There is a preponderance of evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) result in harmful physical, learning, social, emotional, and behavioural health outcomes during childhood, with far reaching effects lasting across the lifespan.
Through Play and Creative Arts therapy Blue Box provide therapeutic approach for children who have experienced ACE’s. By providing a safe space for emotional expression and regulation children can process their trauma and can learn to problem solving and coping skills.
The therapeutic trusting relationship that the child builds in Blue Box, children with ACE’s can process their experiences, develop resilience, and move towards healing and recovery.
Ray et al., 2021 states that play and creative arts therapies appears to be a practical and effective intervention for children who have experienced ACEs and at-risk for trauma disorder.