Meet Our Team of Expressive Art Therapists for Kids

At Toronto Art Therapy for Kids, our dedicated team of art therapists in training specialize in helping children navigate challenges like anxiety, ADHD, and high sensitivity. We create a supportive and creative environment where kids can express themselves through various artistic mediums. Our approach is tailored to each child’s unique needs, fostering emotional growth, confidence, and self-regulation.

Kate Keenan - Expressive Art Therapist specializing in art therapy and drama therapy groups for kids with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.

Kate Keenan

Kate is an Expressive Arts Therapist in Training in her second year at The CREATE Institute, Toronto and is a pending member of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

She is also the mother of two children who have both undergone challenging journeys with anxiety and are learning to channel and enjoy the great strengths that come with high-sensitivity.

Kate has a wealth of experience in creating art for and with children. She is a member of the high-energy ridiculously fun outer space rock band for kids, “The Space Chums,” she’s a screenwriter of kids’ television, contributing to social-emotional educational shows such as “Luna, Chip and Inkie” for Knowledge Network Kids. Additionally, Kate co-founded Shrimp Magnet Theatre, where she created and performed critically praised theatre for young audiences in Toronto and across Canada.

Kate has led art classes for kids from many different populations from preschool to young adults including kids with cerebral palsy, at-risk youth, and ESL students in the TDSB’s LEAP program.

Kate was also a therapeutic clown at Sick Kids Hospital where she worked with the Child Life Team to engage one-on-one with children undergoing various intense life challenges. As Turtle the Clown, she offered highly attuned, gentle invitations and a safe space for children to open up and play in their own individual way. She learned a lifetime of lessons from the incredible kids she met there and is honoured to bring that insight into her current work with children, continuing to grow and learn with each unique and wonderful encounter.

Lisa DiQuinzio - Expressive Art Therapist specializing in art therapy and drama therapy groups for kids with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.

Lisa DiQuinzio

Lisa is an Expressive Arts Therapist in Training in her second year at The CREATE Institute, Toronto and is a pending member of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

Lisa is an artist and mother of two young children.  Her paintings, sculptures and video works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and she recently received a Chalmers Professional Development Grant to complete a residency studying ceramics in Tuscany, Italy. In addition to her training and experience as an artist, Lisa has worked in theatre, ballet and film creating costumes with historical accuracy and technical skill for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Cirque Du Soleil and the National Ballet of Canada. 

Lisa is an active member of her community, volunteering at her children’s public school and with Hospice Toronto since 2020 and has led expressive art workshops for children from a wide range of backgrounds. Lisa   believes creativity can be a powerful resource for supporting mental health, discovering your own unique gifts and building connectivity through expression.

Emma Culpepper - Expressive Art Therapist specializing in art therapy and drama therapy groups for kids with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.

Emma Culpeper

Emma is an Expressive Arts Therapist in training in her second year at The CREATE Institute, Toronto and is a member of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association. She holds a diploma in musical theatre from the Canadian College of Performing Arts, a Bachelor of Music from McGill University and a Master of Arts in Communication & Culture from York University. 

Emma remembers very clearly what it was like to be a child with anxiety. These early experiences sparked a deep interest in understanding anxiety and finding ways to support both children and adults who struggle with it. She has worked as a drama instructor and musical director for kids & teens at Camp Ouareau (QC), Camp Kodiak (ON) and Kimberley Summer Theatre (BC). 

Emma is passionate about improv and has completed over 300 hours of improv training at The Second City, Bad Dog Theatre, the Social Capital Theatre and Play With Fire Improv, including 100+ hours of training in “Improv for Anxiety.” She believes that improv, drama and play can help kids and adults to know themselves better, to enhance self-confidence and to discover more joy and ease in everyday life. 

Emma is thrilled to volunteer as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto. Currently, her favourite place to practice her improv skills is in the playground, inventing imaginary worlds and characters with her 7-year-old mentee.

Find out more about our Group Art Therapy and Group Drama Therapy for kids in Toronto.

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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.