Abstract

The following research summarizes issues pertaining to relocated school aged children, and suggests a range of art therapeutic tools to support their adaptation process, whether it is a cross-cultural relocation or not. The present guide is the result of a combination of some of the history-documentary methodologies, and an investigation of previous and current art therapy programs serving different relocated child populations throughout Montreal. Suggested an therapeutic activities are presented accordingly to the weaving of theoretical concepts of the grieving process stages, and the cross-cultural adaptation stages. The guide is divided into three parts: the arrival, settling down, and moving on. Each part begins with some psychoeducational information about the emotional state a relocated child may be going through, at the given time. The guide is conceived to respond to individual art therapy sessions, as well as group an therapy sessions. For each pan, therapeutic activities are suggested, which can be selected according to the child's best interest. Each activity includes a list of material, procedures, explanation of its therapeutic implication, warm-ups, and finally, an alternative version for group format adaptation. Outcome research would be the next step to achieve in order to consolidate this guide's effectiveness.