Toronto Art Therapy for Kids

Empowering children to get creative with their sensitivity super powers

Expressive Art Therapy for Kids in Toronto

Supporting Children with Anxiety, ADHD, and More Through Expressive Arts Therapy

At Toronto Art Therapy for Kids, we specialize in providing expressive art therapy for kids who’d like to find the hidden treasures inside their high sensitivity. Our affordable and supportive therapy sessions are designed to help children experiencing anxiety, ADHD, and other challenges that can accompany a highly sensitive temperament.

Led by Expressive Arts Therapists in training at The CREATE Institute and members of OEATA, our offerings include individual and family therapy as well as two group expressive arts programs.

Individual and family therapy is offered through our school clinic, online and in-person at our studio at Queen and River Street in Toronto. We offer a nurturing environment for children to explore their feelings and express themselves creatively.

Our next groups, starting in September 2025, include:

Art In The Chrysalis , focusing on self-expression through the visual arts, helping highly sensitive children explore their creativity through various art forms.

Finding Your Light is an explorative drama program which provides a supportive space for children with anxiety and ADHD to build confidence and social skills through drama and play.

All programs start with an initial intake session with parents to tailor the experience to each child’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized and effective therapeutic approach. Our sessions encourage creative exploration and build essential life skills in a supportive community.

Art In The Chrysalis

An Expressive Arts Group supporting highly sensitive children including those experiencing anxiety, ADHD, and ASD. Children explore their sensitivity and creativity through a range of art activities, fostering self-expression and emotional growth.

a child experiencing the joy of self expression through drama therapy for kids

Finding Your Light

A Drama Group supporting highly sensitive children, including those experiencing social anxiety. Through drama and play, kids build confidence, develop social skills, and explore their creativity in a supportive and fun environment.

What is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Expressive Arts Therapy, or Creative Art Therapy is a form of therapy that uses various creative modalities—such as visual arts, music, movement, and creative writing—to help individuals explore their emotions and improve mental health. It is particularly beneficial for children who find it challenging to articulate their feelings verbally.

Benefits of Expressive Arts Therapy for Kids

Expressive Arts Therapy offers a range of benefits for children, especially those who are highly sensitive. It provides safe, structured ways to express emotions through creative outlets, reducing internal tension and promoting emotional clarity. Sensory experiences involved in art-making help children manage sensory sensitivities and enhance their understanding of different inputs.

How Expressive Arts Therapy Supports Children with Anxiety and ADHD

For children with anxiety and ADHD, creative art therapy offers a supportive environment to manage stress and improve focus. Activities like painting or music can serve as practical coping strategies, helping children develop resilience and confidence in their abilities.

Expressive Arts Therapy vs. Traditional Art Classes

Unlike traditional art classes that focus on technical skills and artistic techniques, expressive arts therapy emphasizes emotional growth and personal expression. It engages the right hemisphere of the brain, promoting empathy, emotional depth, and creativity, which are crucial for highly sensitive children.

Key Aspects of Expressive Arts Therapy

Safe Emotional Expression: Allows children to process complex emotions through creative activities like painting or writing.
Sensory Integration and Regulation: Uses various sensory experiences to help children manage and enjoy different inputs.
Building Social Connections: Fosters a sense of belonging and enhances social skills in a supportive group setting.
Enhancing Self-Esteem and Confidence: Boosts self-esteem through successful creative expression and positive feedback.
Developing Coping Strategies: Equips children with practical tools to handle overwhelming situations and manage their sensitivity.

Learn More

Psychology Today – Expressive Arts Therapy

Good Therapy – Expressive Arts Therapy

Positive Psychology – Expressive Arts Therapy

Understanding High Sensitivity, Anxiety & ADHD

Highly Sensitive Children have a unique temperament that makes them particularly aware of their environment, emotions, and sensory experiences. This heightened sensitivity allows them to process information more deeply but can also lead to challenges when their environment is overstimulating or unsupportive.

High Sensitivity

This trait means that children experience the world more intensely. They are sensitive to sensory inputs like loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells, and they may feel emotions more acutely. While high sensitivity is a natural temperament rather than a disorder, it can sometimes lead to difficulties in managing these intense experiences.

Anxiety

For highly sensitive children, anxiety can arise as a result of their heightened awareness and emotional responses. They may become easily overwhelmed by their surroundings or their own emotions, leading to excessive worry or stress. This anxiety can affect their daily functioning and overall well-being, making it challenging for them to navigate situations that feel beyond their control.

ADHD

Although ADHD is a distinct condition, it can intersect with high sensitivity. Children with ADHD often struggle with attention regulation and impulse control, which can be exacerbated by their heightened sensitivity. This combination can make it difficult for them to focus, manage their emotions, and cope with sensory overload, contributing to increased frustration and stress.

Art Therapy & High Sensitivity

Art therapy provides a valuable tool for addressing these interconnected issues. Through creative expression, children can explore and process their emotions in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Art therapy helps to manage anxiety by providing a safe outlet for feelings and promoting relaxation. It also supports children with ADHD by offering structured yet flexible activities that can improve focus and self-regulation. By integrating art therapy, we aim to harness the strengths of high sensitivity and mitigate its challenges, helping children build resilience, confidence, and emotional balance.

More Resources:

The Highly Sensitive Child – Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
ADHD and Children – ADDitude Magazine
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada – About ADHD
Canadian Mental Health Association – Children and Anxiety
Kids with Anxiety Need To Know – Hey Sigmund
“Hey Warrior” A Book for Kids about Anxiety
“The Whole Brain Child” – Daniel Siegel, M.D.