Play and art therapy harness the brain’s natural propensity for symbolic expression, allowing clients, especially children and those with limited verbal access to emotions, to process experiences safely. In our practice, these modalities support work with neurodivergent individuals, trauma survivors, and clients facing complex emotional states.

Evidence shows that creative therapies reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and enhance emotional expression. Through activities such as sand tray work, clay sculpture, painting, and storytelling, clients externalize inner conflicts and experiment with new narratives.

Benefits include:

Nonverbal expression of difficult emotions
Development of coping skills through metaphor and play
Strengthening of self-regulatory capacities

Creative exercises:

Emotion Mask Making: Craft two masks—one for “hidden” feelings and one for “expressed” feelings—then discuss their differences.
Story Stones: Paint stones with images representing emotions or events, then arrange them to tell a narrative.
Clay Safe Space: Shape a “safe” environment in clay and use it as a grounding anchor during sessions.

Play and art therapies complement modalities like Internal Family Systems and trauma counseling. To explore how creativity can unlock your healing, visit our Somatic Therapy and Young Adult Support services.