Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. For many children, play, creativity, drawing, and imagination are more natural ways of communicating — which is why play therapy in Mississauga at Serenity Psychotherapy Clinic works through therapeutic play, art, storytelling, and age-appropriate conversation rather than sitting and talking alone. Sessions are provided by Ahmad Shihab, MA, RP, the clinic’s founder and director — see his full background and registration details.

Children’s play and art therapy is open to children from age 7 and up. Every child is different, so the approach is tailored to each child’s developmental stage, personality, strengths, and individual needs. Through activities that feel comfortable and natural, children can begin to make sense of their experiences, express difficult feelings, and develop healthier ways of managing emotions and behaviour.

Therapy can support children experiencing emotional difficulties, changes at home or school, social challenges, anxiety, low self-esteem, behavioural concerns, or difficult life experiences — and it can also build confidence, emotional awareness, communication skills, and resilience along the way.

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What Play & Art Therapy Looks Like

Play and art therapy looks different from adult therapy. Instead of relying primarily on conversation, children communicate and explore their experiences through activities matched to their age and developmental level. Depending on the child, sessions may include:

  • Therapeutic and imaginative play.
  • Drawing, painting, and other creative activities.
  • Storytelling and therapeutic stories.
  • Games designed to build emotional awareness.
  • Exploring and naming different feelings.
  • Practising coping and calming strategies.
  • Building communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Age-appropriate conversations about worries or challenges.

The activities are used intentionally — play and art are not simply there to keep a child occupied. They give children meaningful ways to express feelings, explore experiences, practise new skills, and communicate things that are hard to put into words.

What Play & Art Therapy Can Help With

Children’s therapy at Serenity can support a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental concerns:

  • Anxiety and excessive worry.
  • Big emotions and emotional regulation.
  • Anger and frustration.
  • Difficulty coping with change, including separation and adjustment.
  • School-related stress, friendship and social difficulties, and bullying.
  • Low self-esteem and confidence.
  • Family changes and conflict, grief and loss.
  • Difficult or stressful life experiences.
  • Behavioural concerns and difficulty expressing feelings.

Therapy can also help when a child has no single, specific concern but would benefit from support through a significant transition, or from building emotional skills and confidence generally.

Working With Parents & Caregivers

Parents and caregivers are an important part of a child’s support system. Depending on the child’s age, needs, and therapeutic goals, therapy may include regular communication or collaboration with parents — helping caregivers understand what their child may be experiencing and learn strategies for supporting emotional regulation, communication, behaviour, and coping at home.

At the beginning of therapy, your therapist will discuss how sessions will work, what role parents or caregivers may have, and how information and confidentiality are handled. The approach is adapted to the child’s age and individual circumstances.

A Safe Space for Children to Express Themselves

Therapy does not require a child to know exactly how they feel or to explain what is wrong. Sometimes a drawing, a game, a story, or imaginative play opens the door to conversations and insights that direct questioning cannot reach.

The goal is not simply to change a child’s behaviour — it is to understand what may be underneath the behaviour and help children develop the emotional and interpersonal skills they need to thrive. Every child has a story to tell; sometimes play and creativity help them tell it.

Fees and Booking

Children’s play and art therapy is $250 per session hour, in person at the Meadowvale office in Mississauga. Current fees for all services are listed on the fees and insurance page. A free 30-minute consultation is the easiest first step to discuss your child and see whether the fit feels right — you can book directly through the online scheduler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this for?

Children’s play and art therapy is available for children from age 7 and up. If you are not sure whether it suits your child, raise it during the free consultation.

Do parents join the sessions?

Depending on the child’s age, needs, and goals, therapy may include parent involvement or regular parent communication. Exactly how that works is discussed at the beginning of therapy, along with how information and confidentiality are handled.

My child cannot explain what is wrong — is that a problem?

No. Play and art therapy exists precisely because many children cannot, or do not want to, put their feelings into words. Expression through play, drawing, stories, and games is the method, not a prerequisite.

Related Articles

For a broader picture of when extra support is worth considering, see Understanding Mental Health: When to Ask for Help, and for family-level support, see Family Therapy in Mississauga & Online.

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