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Using Art Therapy to Help Children Connect with Their Emotions

Art Therapy is a form of therapy that uses art as a medium for self-exploration and self-expression. This therapeutic approach is an effective tool in helping children connect with their emotions when they face difficulties in verbal communication.

Art therapy provides a creative outlet to help those dealing with emotional, mental and physical challenges to express themselves in a meaningful way.

As children grow and develop, they face a range of emotional experiences that can be overwhelming for them. These emotions, such as anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem, are often expressed through physical symptoms like headaches, nightmares, or stomach aches. It can be challenging for parents or caregivers to understand the cause of these symptoms and can be equally challenging for children to articulate their feelings and thoughts. This is where art therapy comes in.


Art therapy is a powerful tool that can help children express their emotions through creative processes like drawing, painting, and sculpting. Art therapy sessions are an inviting and non-threatening space where children can explore and communicate feelings that they may not have been able to express before. Art therapists often use playful and interactive activities that allow children to create art freely and develop an emotional vocabulary that allows them to express their feelings better.


In an art therapy session, the therapist can help children to understand their emotions by guiding them to explore their art creations. The therapist encourages the child to talk about their artwork and asks open-ended questions to help the child reflect on what they have created. For example, the therapist may ask the child to explain how they chose specific colors or why they chose certain shapes or textures. Through this process, children can connect with their emotions and begin to articulate their thoughts. Additionally, because art is a visual medium, it can help children who struggle with verbal communication to express themselves more easily.


Art therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses creative expression in various forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, to help individuals explore their feelings and find clarity.

Art therapy is also beneficial because it allows children to create something tangible. They can visually see their emotions being represented in their artwork, which can be empowering. This ability to externalize their emotions can build their confidence and help them gain a sense of control over their feelings.

Research shows that art therapy has many benefits in enhancing psychological well-being. It has been proven to help children with depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral difficulties. Also, it helps to decrease emotional distress, improve self-regulation skills, and increase self-esteem.


In conclusion, art therapy is a valuable tool for helping children connect with their emotions and express themselves when struggling with verbal communication. It offers a space for exploration and creative expression that can build self-esteem, foster emotional growth, and enable children to gain a sense of control over their feelings. If you are struggling to understand your child's behavior, or you think they could benefit from this type of therapy, don't hesitate to seek help from an art therapist.


Alexia VanNoy is The Marketing Assistant at Mindsight, but when she's not taking care of her professional life, she loves to explore her creative side by acting in local plays in Somerset. She's also a dedicated gamer who will never pass up the chance to discuss the latest trends in the world of video games (her favorite is 'Red Dead Redemption 2'). When she has some free time on her hands, you'll find Alexia curled up with a copy of Twilight or cuddling with her furry family - Orb, and Murder Machine - her two beloved cats.


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