Facilitating Adjustment in a New Cultural Setting

Differences in values and beliefs between and within various cultures, requires culturally appropriate treatment by culturally sensitive mental health professionals. Children who have immigrated to Canada from different countries experience loss and face many new challenges within their new cultural environment. This article will discuss how art therapy effectively addresses some of the issues that Chinese immigrant children face within the school setting. Social isolation, sense of loss, low self esteem, frustration, sense of helplessness, and family separation are some of the issues reflected in the art. Furthermore, aspects of the Chinese culture will be presented throughout the article to give a better understanding of the Chinese client involved in therapy. The benefits of using art therapy with this population will also be discussed.