Creative Therapies in Schools
After doing specialised therapy sessions in schools for decades and seeing too many therapists and teachers burn out, we developed a different approach. Mauri Tui Tuia's model is focussed on sustainably supporting tamariki/rangatahi, and focussed on ecological growth (growth and wellbeing for the ākonga, the whānau, and the school kaimahi).
Mauri Tui Tuia is an approved Ministry of Education Awhi Mai Awhi Atu (Counselling in Schools) provider.
Our model of work
We provide a combination of the following, tailored to each school we work with:
1. Individual or Small Group Therapy Sessions
One of our registered therapists will work on site with specific children in individual sessions or small groups (3-5 students), for at least two terms. Therapy sessions may focus on goals such as: supporting relationship building; sensory integration; regulation after trauma; supporting self-expression and confidence; managing anxiety.
2. Whānau Support
Our therapists can work with the management and teaching team to offer whānau-based, individualised support for identified students. This can include a tailored, fun workshop for whānau, access to our Resilience and Calm Connection library of 2–3-minute videos with ideas they can use at home, and/or connecting personally to review what's happening in therapy sessions and support whānau to integrate resonant strategies at home.
3. Workshops for Teaching Staff
Two of our trained & experienced therapists can come to the school (or host the kaimahi online) and run 2-2.5-hour workshops for staff. Our workshops resource teachers to manage trauma and anxiety within the classroom, with simple & usable creative therapy tools.
4. Classroom Support Visits
One of our therapists will visit a specific classroom(s), to support teachers in their trauma-informed use of creative tools. This gives school kaimahi an opportunity to discuss challenges, receive tailored support and ideas around supporting their students, and see the therapist model using the strategies in the classroom if needed.
How we work
Our practical tools are grounded in trauma-informed dance, arts and music therapy research and knowledge, and support child and adolescent development and wellbeing across diverse populations.
Underpinned by Te Tiriti, we strive to be an active collaborator of mana-enhancing practice alongside our communities. Our approaches in using waiata, movement, sound, rhythm, and arts within a therapeutic context are tools that find resonance ina wide variety of cultures, while Te Ao Māori frameworks underpin our bicultural practice model. To read more about our values and bicultural approach, please click here.
Our areas of expertise are in trauma-informed care and education, and supporting learners with diverse needs. We use creative therapy approaches to skill-share simple, practical tools in music, arts and movement that support child development and relational wellbeing. We work ecologically, looking at how we can support not only the child in therapy sessions, but their peer group, classroom setting, kaiako, school and whānau.
Our workshops engage kaiako in practical ‘doings’ that support tamariki, including those with different learning needs, speech-language delays, neurodiversity, or developmental challenges. We use a strengths-based focus and the shared language of rhythm, sound, creativityt and movement to bridge and enhance communication, connection, and community.
Working with trauma
Trauma and the management of trauma in children through dance, arts and music therapy tools is a specialised area that requires extensive and specific training. Our focus remains on the use of creativity for calm connection allowing integration of learning and flourishing for our tamariki and rangatahi. We also use a tools-based approach that empowers our kaiako in complex situations, and to support wellbeing in their classroom through simple practices that are woven into their existing schedules.
Our team have a deep understanding of the psychotherapeutic process of music, arts, and dance movement therapy in relation to adverse experiences and trauma. Without this understanding, well-intentioned practice has the potential to do further harm. Our kaupapa relies on current research-based practice and developmental understanding of the effect of trauma and adversity on children and adolescents.
Sustainability through collaboration
Collaboration and skill-sharing is often modelled by working in pairs, such as a music therapist with a dance therapist, or by having one therapist run a group while another comes alongside the classroom teacher to resource them. We have found this model to be sustainable for both our facilitators and to meet specific school needs.
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Referral and consent process
We work collaboratively with schools to identify ākonga in need of support, and then design the therapeutic offerings to suit them. Obtaining informed consent is important, and we use colourful, visually accessible consent forms to support neurodiverse ākonga and whānau in this process, prior to commencing therapy sessions.
Onwards referrals may be made should the therapist identify a need for additional support, and we make all efforts to build and sustain healthy cooperative working relationships with intensive service providers and Ministry of Education branches.
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Child protection
Mauri Tui Tuia is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of children by identifying and responding to vulnerability, child abuse and neglect in an effective and efficient manner. Our therapists are registered, trained professionals, and have been vetted in full compliance with the Vulnerable Children’s Act. A copy of our Child Protection Policy can be found here.
If a disclosure is made by a young person, the therapist will let the ākonga know that the therapist will talk to someone else about it, then complete a Mauri Tui Tuia Child Concern form.
Mauri Tui Tuia has a Child Protection Lead, who will work with the therapist to notify the school of the contents of the Child Concern form. Appropriate further action will be taken in partnership and discussion with the school and whānau.
If any concerns arise around the therapist’s actions or behaviours, please immediately contact Katie Pureti, Mauri Tui Tuia's Child Protection Lead and Executive Director at katie@maurituituia.com.
Contact
To inquire about having us work in your school, please contact us, and one of our directors will discuss with you.
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Contact Us