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Is art therapy counselling helpful for children and youth?

Yes. Art therapy can be a helpful approach for children and youth who are experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, stress, trauma, grief, social difficulties, low confidence, or challenges expressing feelings through words alone.

Creative activities provide children and teens with another way to communicate, explore emotions, build self-awareness, and develop coping skills in a supportive counselling environment.

What is art therapy mental health counselling?

Art therapy counselling is a creative, trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy that uses art-making and expressive practices to support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and healing. Through activities such as painting, drawing, collage, clay, and other creative processes, children, youth, teens, and adults can explore emotions, process difficult experiences, build coping skills, and develop greater self-understanding.​

What concerns can child and youth counselling support?

Child and youth counselling and art therapy may support children and teens experiencing:

• Anxiety, worry, and excessive stress

• Emotional regulation challenges and big emotions

• Trauma and difficult life experiences

• Grief and loss

• Low confidence and self-esteem

• Social challenges and friendship difficulties

• Relationship and family challenges

• ADHD and neurodivergent experiences

• Depression and emotional wellbeing concerns

• Life transitions and identity exploration

• Difficulty expressing feelings through traditional talk therapy

Does my child need to talk about their feelings in counselling?

No. Many children and youth find it difficult to explain their emotions through words alone. Art therapy and creative counselling approaches provide alternative ways for children and teens to explore thoughts, feelings, experiences, and relationships at their own pace.

The goal is not to create “good art,” but to use creativity as a tool for connection, emotional expression, and healing.​

Do parents participate in child and youth counselling sessions?

Parent involvement depends on the child’s age, needs, and therapeutic goals. Counselling may include parent check-ins, collaborative conversations, and support for caregivers to better understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs.​

Do you offer child counselling in Victoria BC and online?

Yes. Child and youth counselling and art therapy are available in Victoria, BC and surrounding communities, including Saanich, Brentwood Bay, Sidney, Langford, Central Saanich, North Saanich, and Greater Victoria.

Online counselling is also available for children, youth, teens, and families across Canada. 

Do I need to have artistic skills to participate in art therapy counselling?

No artistic experience or creative skills are needed to participate in art therapy counselling. Art therapy is not about creating a perfect piece of artwork or being an artist—it is about using the creative process as a pathway for emotional expression, reflection, connection, and healing.

Art therapy can be helpful for children, youth, teens, and adults who may find it difficult to express thoughts, emotions, or life experiences through words alone.

How can art therapy help with stress and anxiety?

Art therapy can support stress and anxiety management by encouraging mindfulness, emotional expression, grounding, and nervous system regulation. Creative expression provides a safe way to explore emotions, increase self-awareness, and strengthen the connection between thoughts, feelings, and the body.

Art therapy counselling in Victoria BC and online across Canada may support individuals experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, grief, and major life transitions.

What are some examples of art therapy activities in a counselling session?

Art therapy sessions are personalized based on your needs, age, and therapeutic goals. Creative approaches may include:

• Somatic (body-awareness) drawing

• Mindful painting and expressive mark-making

• Collage and visual storytelling

• Clay, sensory materials, or grounding activities

• Creative exercises for emotional regulation

• Guided reflection and meaning-making

These approaches support emotional processing, self-expression, resilience, and personal growth. No artistic experience is required.

Are art therapy counselling sessions covered by insurance?

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and counselling sessions may be eligible for coverage through many extended health insurance plans in Canada. Please check with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage.

What are your art therapy and counselling rates?

Art Therapy / Expressive Arts Counselling (75 minutes): $240 per session
Individual Counselling / Psychotherapy (50 minutes): $175 per session

Sliding scale options may be available. Please inquire.

Sessions are available in person in Victoria, BC and through secure online counselling across Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions