Programs

Description

Hear Me Roar encourages the voice, hearts and minds of youth at risk through weekly Creative Arts sessions. CATA uses a person-centred approach to our programs. Our workshops instil in youth the confidence to appreciate who they already are and what they innately have to offer the world; then, to think critically, ask important questions, and pursue meaningful opportunities in life – against all odds.  The artistic expressions of an adolescent can also convey messages that the youth has been forbidden to verbalise. Therefore, adolescents can let the therapist know what is going on in their lives by a visual representation of situations and emotions that focus on the forbidden subject

• Encourages focus and self-awareness so they can better cope with moments of trauma and stress.
• Provides a pleasure factor that is in tune with adolescents' development, as evidenced by the tagging and graffiti that is abundant in many cities. It is hard to restrain an adolescent's urge to “make their mark.” Channelling this drive into productive communication can neutralise the battle over what to reveal or keep hidden.
• Offers a form of communication that is nonthreatening and over which the adolescent has control.
• The creative expression of a negative behaviour or emotion is external to the individual, and the behaviour thus becomes the problem, not the individual. This externalisation of an internal stress allows for the individual to better address the challenge with the art therapist and/or group.