With the rapid increase of child and adolescent cases of anxiety, parents are scrambling trying to help their children from falling deeper. Some of the most widely used methods of coping with anxiety are cognitive behavioral therapy and art therapy as well as common medications. Although there is evidence that both approaches work, only half [...]
As we all know, puberty is a very stressful time. It’s a time of change in multiple facets of adolescent lives: physiological, physical, psychological and social as well. It takes some time to get used to all the turmoil. Some of the most shocking physical changes are the growth spurts, new growth of [...]
In the past, marriage and starting a family were some goals that people strived towards because of societal expectations. Today, there has been a large shift away from marriage to common-law relationships and divorce rates have increased. With divorce, parents now need to learn a skill that they didn’t think they would have to: co-parenting. [...]
Anger is a common and universal emotion, which is often referred to as a secondary emotion, because it serves to protect us from other vulnerable feelings. Clinicians and researchers believe that anger covers a primary emotion such as sadness, fear, or anxiety. Our behavioral therapists also believe that children and adolescents with anger issues [...]
Let’s reflect on your past year: How many phone calls did you have from your son’s school? How many behavioral notes were written in your daughter’s agenda? How many parent-teacher meetings did not go your ideal way? For most parents, it is difficult to admit that their child may need therapy for their behavioral [...]
Childhood is an important period of time for human beings. Exposure to traumatic experiences during this time can have negative lifetime effects on children’s mental health. While one may think of trauma as any sort of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), neglect (emotional and physical), domestic violence or parental incarceration, researchers have indicated peer/sibling assault, bullying, [...]
According to Statistics Canada, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3-5% of school-aged children. This means one out of 25-30 student meets the criteria for this diagnosis. According to researchers and child mental health professionals, ADHD leads to poor school performance, conduct disorders, and interpersonal difficulties in family and friendships. While researchers continue studying what [...]
Many of us, art therapists, go through intensive art therapy programs/training without ever take a moment to pause; to dig deeply into our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, motivations and asking why. While we may be overwhelmed after running a support group for cancer patients or after a day working with kids in palliative care, we might [...]
Have you ever wished you hadn’t done what you done? Or said what you said?The reality is that, mistakes happen! What is important is that you do not lose control of the situation. Be creative in finding a new way to approach your problems, in turning your mistakes into something more positive. An activity, which [...]
Mindfulness is a state of mind where the focus on the bodily sensations is at its highest peak. A mindful person is aware of how his/her body is reacting to the anxiety provoking thoughts and symptoms of anxiety. In the practice of mindful art therapy one practices to be present and remain present to face [...]
