Child Art Therapy

In their earliest years, kids experience their world through images and feelings. Art and play are the languages used as children grow and begin to understand and interpret their environment; they are natural ways for kids to communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas.

The art therapy studio is a safe space where kids can express their inner world through play, art and storytelling. Each child can decide on what materials they’d like to use, what they want to create, and what they want to talk about. The focus of art therapy is on the process of the child’s art-making, rather than on the finished product, so kids don’t need to have any special skills or experience in art. Art therapy can be especially helpful for kids who have difficulty expressing themselves or talking about problems using words.

Art therapy can help kids:

  • visually express and record their experiences, thoughts, feelings and imagination

  • convey emotions, perceptions and sensations that are difficult to express with words

  • calm the body and mind

  • create meaning through storytelling

  • enhance communication skills

  • build interpersonal skills

  • discover their strengths

  • develop positive coping skills to manage anxiety and other difficult emotions

Therapy Process

Caregiver Intake Session

The first session of therapy is just for parents/caregivers. During this first 50-minute session, we’ll go over your intake paperwork and you’ll have an opportunity to share in depth about what’s been going on for your child. Together, we’ll come up with goals and a plan for your child.

Dyadic Art Therapy Sessions

I usually begin therapy with having one parent attend the first few sessions with their child. The goal for these sessions is to nurture the attachment relationship between you and your child, and co-create some artwork together.

Individual Art Therapy Sessions

Parent Consultations

Kids usually let us know when they’re ready to move to individual therapy sessions. After the first 4-6 sessions, I can begin to provide feedback, observations and sometimes recommendations based on what I’m seeing in sessions. Parent consultations are scheduled separately from therapy sessions.

The initial 5-6 sessions with a kiddo are a phase of assessment, for me to get to know your child and to understand their strengths and resources. After this period, I can begin to provide feedback, observations and sometimes recommendations based on what I’m seeing in sessions. Parent feedback meetings are scheduled separately from therapy sessions.