Expressive Arts & Sand Tray Therapy in Keller, TX
When your child is dealing with intense or complex trauma, anxiety, or other emotional issues, it may be hard to talk about them, especially with a stranger. Using expressive art or sand tray therapy can help children and teens express themselves non-verbally and explore emotions, thoughts, and actions that are causing them stress or harm.
At Keller Child and Family Therapy, we may recommend expressive art or sand tray therapy in Keller, TX for children and teens who are having a hard time unlocking their trauma and moving forward. Expressive art and sand tray therapy are also very effective therapeutic methods for children who are non-verbal, on the autism spectrum, have ADD or ADHD, or who have trouble expressing their emotions in a productive or healthy way.
What Are Expressive Arts & Sand Tray Therapy?
Expressive Arts is a process that uses creativity and art to help your child unlock emotions, address past trauma, communicate thoughts and feelings, and heal and grow. It can include drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, theater, or improvisation, and playing music.
Sand tray therapy is a creative therapeutic technique that uses a tray of sand, usually combined with small toys or objects, to help your child tell a story, explore emotions and past events, and connect with thoughts and feelings.
We can use expressive arts and sand tray therapy for children and teens, and both can be effective therapeutic methods for children who are non-verbal or have a hard time communicating their emotions or discussing past trauma.
Who Should Consider Expressive Art & Sand Tray Therapy?
Sand tray and expressive arts are therapeutic methods based on the idea that children and teens can heal through artistic and creative expression. Both methods can unlock hidden or subconscious issues that are blocking healthy growth and progress and make it easier for children to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties. The purpose of these therapeutic methods is to allow children and teens to nurture their emotions and unlock their inner potential for growth and transformation.
Play therapy can help children and teens communicate more effectively and enhance their social skills. It can also help them better understand the effects of their behavior and express themselves through art, actions, and play rather than with words. We can use play therapy to better understand your child’s inner thoughts and emotions and make the connection between their inner life and their actions.
We may recommend sand tray or expressive art for children or teens who are experiencing:
- Anxiety or Depression
- Trauma
- PTSD or C-PTSD
- Depression
- Aggression
- Anger issues
- Low self-esteem
- Grief
- Sleep issues
- Trouble communicating or expressing themselves
- ADD or ADHD
Expressive Art & Sand Tray Play Therapy Process & Techniques
We let the child or teen guide most of the process of expressive art and sand tray play therapy. By giving your child autonomy and empowering them to choose the direction they want the process to go, we can help them tap into their inner emotions and feelings.
For expressive art, we encourage your child or teen to create an art form using any tools and mediums they choose. During the process, we try to help them communicate the feelings and emotions that come up while they are creating their art. Because the process is mostly non-verbal, we may need to rely on an interpretation of the art that is created rather than an explanation from your child.
During sand tray therapy, your child or teen will use a tray of sand and small toys or objects to create a story or narrative that reflects their inner thoughts and feelings. The figures used may include animals, people, objects, and fantasy creatures and are symbolic of different actions and thoughts. At the end of the session, we will ask your child about the scene they created and how they created it to better understand their hidden motives and meanings.
Why Choose Keller Child and Family Therapy
At Keller Child and Family Therapy, we believe tapping into your ability to connect with your inner wisdom and inner child can help you unlock healing abilities. We use expressive arts and sand tray therapy to help children relax, address hidden or locked emotions and memories, and better express themselves in a calm, comforting environment. We have a team of experienced child and family therapists dedicated to helping families overcome patterns of negative thoughts and behavior so that they can move forward with healthy relationships.
Our therapists specialize in play therapy, expressive arts and sand tray therapy, EMDR therapy, and ETT therapy. We offer both individual therapy sessions and family sessions and can help you explore trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, aggression, stress, and relationship issues. Our goal is to restore hope and help you find healthy ways forward so that you can live happier lives, free from anxiety and trauma.
Learn More About Expressive Art & Sand Tray Therapy for Adults
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of expressive art and sand tray therapy in Keller, TX, Keller Child and Family Therapy can help. We are happy to answer any questions and help you determine if these therapeutic methods are right for your child or teen. We believe play therapy can enhance your child’s communication skills and make it easier for them to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation or set up a therapy session for your child.
What Makes Us Different?
- Grounded and honest therapy
- Find your inner peace
- Express yourself in a safe environment
- Thrive in a collaborative environment