Joyee :

Good morning. Im Joo Yee and this is Iman. We really appreciate the time you spent
for us. time. Can you briefly tell us a little about yourself and what influenced you to
become a school counselor?

Teacher :

I had a very positive experience with a therapist during my youth. My father

suffered from post- trammatic stress syndrome from the war and from being
discharged from the army. He was unable to cope with civilian life. As a result, our
entire family struggled--especially my mom. It wasn't until we received ongoing
couseling from a caring and qualified psychologist, when I was about 10 years old,
that things started to get better. Without that help, I don't think we would have
made it. I owe a lot to this professional. More importantly, I've seen the powerful
effect therapy and psychological interventions can have on individuals, families and
society as a whole. I decided to specialize my studies in Child Psychology simply
because I hate to see kids struggle. Additionally, I feel that helping our kids to lead
healthing and productive childhoods is the first step to eliminating mental health
issues in adulthood.

Iman:

One thing as we wind up I think its important, in a case, at which a year 5 pupils
has experienced depression after a tragic house fire that resulted in a loss of a
younger brother, what is the best strategy to assist him in coming out from the
depression?

Teacher :

It is interesting that you raised the issue here. For the past three years I've worked
as a school counselor, I have seen so many cases of people especially kids who do
not receive any treatment or support to overcome the pain of mourning. They feel
they are trapped in grief - feelings which later surface as the underlying cause of
physical and mental problems.

Joo Yee :

Even as a teacher-to-be, we are clueless in healing the heart of the one who
overwhelmed by the loss. So, what should be proper way to handle this situation?

Teacher:

Grief counseling facilitates expression of emotion and thought about the loss,
including sadness, anxiety, anger, loneliness, guilt, relief, isolation, confusion, or
numbness.

Iman :
Would you mind elaborate more about this?

Teacher :

Absolutely. If a child experiences something tragic, that event usually gets buried in
their subconscious where it affects them in the future. These types of things are not
easy for kids to talk about, especially when there are deep-rooted emotional issues
in play. Through art therapy children can help bring these suppressed emotions to
the surface so the art therapist can then focus on healing the childs problem.

Joo Yee:

Therapy through art? Thats new. Please do tell us more about this.

Teacher :

In art therapy, the kid is asked to make a collage, draw on a paper or shape a small
piece of clay to illustrate their inner self or difficulties that they are having. The
counselor does not interpret the art piece. The kid is free to share as much of the
meaning of their art as they created it. When the negative situation is illustrated, it
is then external to the individual, and the situation itself thus becomes the problem,
not the individual.

Iman :

Whats next?

Teacher :

This externalization of an internal stress or by the creation of nonartistic art allows

both the counsellor and the kid to better address the problem. The counsellor gains
greater knowledge of the problem because the client uses metaphor and narrative
to explain their product. The art allows the kid to distance themselves from their
own dilemma and, in that manner, work with the counsellor toward alternative
solutions to the problem.

Joo Yee :

We cannot shield them from grief, but this will help them express their feelings.
Other than art therapy, is there any approach that can be practiced in helping the
kid to cope with the problem?

Teacher :
With grief, the pain is sometimes so deep it hurts too much for kids to talk about
what they feel. Somehow, music breaks down their defenses. Listening, playing,
dancing and singing all engage the mind's emotional sphere. When they think
they're only having fun, it actually taps the restorative power of music to help them
heal.

Iman :

So, how will it be conducted?

Teacher:

Its relatively easy. Singing or playing an instrument is often used to help clients
express their thoughts and feelings in a more structured manner. Singing in a group
can facilitate a sense of community and providing support and connectedness,
especially when the songs were composed to incorporate desired themes and
context like grief. Also, writing song lyric by the kid himself can be used to facilitate
dialogue with clients based on the lyrics, which can then lead to discussion that
addresses the problem. In short, music can be used to reduce physical pain and
anxiety, enhance relaxation, and promote positive moods and compliance.

Joo Yee :

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to interview you. We really
appreciate the time you spent with us.

Teacher :

Youre most welcome.