Group Counseling for At-Risk African American Youth: A Collaboration Between Therapists and Artists

This article includes a description of a culturally sensitive group counseling model and curriculum for African American children (ages 7–12 years old) of families with drug and alcohol addiction. Therapists-in-training, artists of color, and community agency staff collaborated to deliver expressive art activities that facilitate self-expression, self-confidence, emotion regulation, and coping and communication skills, and that enhance personal resilience and a sense of connection with one’s community. This model aims at creativity not only in the service of the children’s development as individuals, but also in the service of community building. The collaboration between partners at the levels of program planning and implementation ensures cultural relevance for the participants as it promotes diversity and growth-fostering relationships.