Social anxiety can affect people of all ages. Socializing can be especially anxiety-provoking for adolescents, as they are in a period of life where social acceptance is integral to their development. Unfortunately, social anxiety may cause teenagers to struggle to make connections and maintain relationships with others. Isolation can be problematic for adolescents, as isolation can make them more likely to fall into depression, compounding their struggles. Social anxiety can also affect academic progress and cause students to fall behind. If your daughter struggles with social anxiety, it is important to know what types of treatments are available. Clearview includes various types of therapy to help girls overcome social anxiety.
One form of therapy that is effective in treating social anxiety is art therapy. Art therapy employs a different approach to helping people express themselves. Another form of therapy that is effective in working through anxieties is group therapy. Art therapy done with peers in a group setting can encourage your daughter to come out of her shell and make connections. Making connections in a safe environment can help your daughter to overcome her social anxiety.
What Is Social Anxiety?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines social anxiety disorder as “an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can affect work, school, and other daily activities.” It can be normal to feel nervous when meeting new people or presenting in front of others. However, if this type of fear negatively affects your daughter’s ability to engage socially and in school, it may indicate a disorder.
Social anxiety is especially prevalent in teenagers due to their need for social acceptance. If a teen feels ostracized or different from her peers, this may further her feelings of anxiety surrounding social situations.
There are many signs to watch for if your daughter is struggling socially. Social anxiety may cause her to begin to isolate herself. If your daughter begins to isolate, this behavior may worsen her mental health and put her at risk of developing co-occurring disorders. Social anxiety may also cause her to fall behind in school. If your daughter struggles with being around others, this may affect her academic performance due to avoidance of situations that may make her feel socially anxious. It is important to get your daughter therapy if you notice that her social anxiety is causing her to struggle in many areas of her life.
What Is Art Therapy?
An article published in Frontiers in Psychology explains that art therapy “is defined by the British Association of Art Therapists as: ‘a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication.’”
Art therapy is an effective form of therapy that encourages people to express themselves in ways that they may not be able to do in talk therapy. This encouragement of self-expression allows girls to connect on a deep level with their therapists. Girls often benefit from this outlet for working through their mental health struggles.
If your daughter struggles with opening up, this form of therapy may be helpful. This therapy also provides a way for your daughter to develop healthy coping mechanisms. The skill of expressing herself and putting her emotions into creativity and art encourages healthy strategies for working through anxieties. Art therapy can also be an effective way to help your daughter overcome social anxiety and begin to flourish.
How Art Therapy Can Help People Overcome Social Anxiety
As stated previously, if your daughter struggles with social anxiety, she may struggle to connect with others. One thing that can encourage connection with peers is participation in group therapy. At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we offer different forms of therapy that provide emotional support to every student who stays with us. These therapies include group therapy. Meeting peers who struggle with issues that are similar to hers can help foster young women’s social skills. Art therapy done in a group environment provides a way for girls to express themselves through actions and not just words.
Doing art with peers similar to your daughter will provide her with an avenue of connection that is safe and monitored. If she is able to open up to a therapist and her peers, she can break down the walls around social interactions. This enhanced ability to express herself to others will help her overcome social anxiety and improve her connections with others.
The ability to confidently express herself can assist her in other areas of her life as well. The goal of these treatments is to make a long-term difference in her life. Your daughter deserves to have healthy relationships, fulfilling connections with others, and a productive life.
If your daughter struggles with social anxiety, you may find that she isolates and closes herself off to important connections. Social anxiety can grow to be unbearable, and getting treatment for your daughter is integral. Different forms of therapy will help your daughter make progress with her mental health. Art therapy done in a group setting may encourage her to make healthy connections with peers who experience the same types of struggles as her. Art therapy encourages self expression, which helps girls to more effectively connect with others. Expressing herself more effectively will help your daughter overcome her social anxiety. If you are interested in learning more about the therapies offered at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, call 866-584-4788 today.
