Helping Kids Cope Through Expressive Therapy

Life has been anything but normal for a while now. Between the lingering effects of the pandemic, natural disasters, and tragic events like school shootings, stress and uncertainty have taken a toll on all of us—emotionally, financially, and mentally.

Children, in particular, have struggled. As their routines were upended, friendships put on pause, and familiar sources of comfort disrupted, many have experienced anxiety and sadness in ways they don’t always have words for. Even moments that should feel lighthearted, like summer vacation, have often carried an underlying weight of worry.

So how can we help kids process these overwhelming emotions in a way that truly resonates with them? One of the most powerful approaches is expressive therapy—using creativity as an outlet for feelings that can be difficult to verbalize.

The Power of Creative Expression

I know firsthand how much the arts can help during difficult times. Dancing was my sanctuary. When words failed me, movement spoke for me. Whether I was feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or anxious, dance gave me a way to process those emotions and let them out in a healthy, healing way. It became more than just an activity—it was a form of therapy, a way to regulate my emotions, and a tool for self-discovery.

That’s why, in our practice, we love to incorporate music, movement, art, and creative expression into our sessions. Expressive therapies help calm the nervous system, bring emotions to the surface, and provide a sense of relief and empowerment. When children are given space to create, they often reveal what they’re struggling with far more naturally than if we simply asked them to explain it in words.

Creative Expressive Therapy Techniques We Use

Here are just a few ways we help children and teens process their emotions through creativity:

🎵 Music Therapy

• Playlist Creation – Kids select songs that reflect their emotions or create a playlist of uplifting music for when they need encouragement.
• Songwriting & Lyric Analysis – We help kids write their own songs or analyze meaningful lyrics to process feelings in a safe way.
• Instrument Play & Rhythm Exercises – Drumming or tapping rhythms can help regulate emotions and provide a physical outlet for stress.

💃 Dance & Movement Therapy

• Emotion-Based Dance – Kids move in a way that expresses how they feel (e.g., slow movements for sadness, energetic motions for excitement).
• Freeze Dance for Regulation – We use dance-and-pause activities to help kids practice emotional awareness and impulse control.
• Mirror Movement – Paired movement exercises encourage connection, empathy, and self-expression.

🎨 Art Therapy

• Self-Portraits with Emotions – Kids draw a portrait, showing their outer appearance on one side and their inner emotions on the other.
• Tear Art Collages – Instead of cutting paper, children tear different colors and textures to create a collage, symbolizing complex emotions.
• Mandala Coloring for Mindfulness – Structured designs like mandalas provide a calming activity that helps reduce anxiety.

📖 Writing & Storytelling

• Journaling with Prompts – Questions like "What color is your emotion today?" or "What’s one thing that made you smile this week?" encourage self-reflection.
• Comic Strip Creation – Kids create a comic about a personal challenge and how they might overcome it, fostering problem-solving skills.
• Letter to My Future Self – Writing a letter to their future selves can help children process emotions and gain perspective on their struggles.

✨ Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation Tools

• Glitter Jars – Kids shake a jar filled with water and glitter, watching the particles settle as they practice deep breathing.
• Emotion Wheels – A simple tool that helps children identify and name their feelings before discussing them.
• Worry Boxes – Kids write down their worries, place them in a decorated box, and “let them go,” reducing anxiety.

🏖️ Sandtray Therapy

• Using Miniatures to Express the Unspoken – Many emotions live in the right side of the brain, where words can’t always reach. By using figurines in a sandtray, children can symbolically express their feelings and experiences in a way that feels safe and natural.

We’ve seen incredible breakthroughs through these therapies—moments of emotional release, clarity, and healing that might never have happened through conversation alone.

Giving Kids a Voice

One of the greatest benefits of expressive therapies is that they allow children to communicate without pressure. If you ask a young child how they’re feeling, they might simply shrug. But hand them a marker and paper, and suddenly, their emotions begin to pour out. Give them a song to dance to, and they’ll move in ways that reflect what’s happening inside them. Through these creative outlets, kids not only process their emotions but also regain a sense of control and resilience.

Let’s Create a Path to Healing

If your child is struggling with anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm, we’d love to help. Every child expresses themselves in a unique way, and we’re here to guide them toward the tools that work best for them.

Let’s work together to help them find their voice, their movement, and their creative path to healing. Reach out today to learn more about how expressive therapy can support your child’s emotional well-being.

Written by Rebecca Muyres, LPC, CPCS, RPT-S, CCTP, CATP

Sources

• PsychCentral. 3 Art Therapy Techniques to Deal with Anxiety. Retrieved from psychcentral.com
• Psychology Today. Creative Arts Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy. Retrieved from psychologytoday.com
• PsychCentral. How to Cope with Anxiety from the Coronavirus. Retrieved from psychcentral.com