Why Music and Art Therapy Work Better Than Talk Therapy for Younger Children
- Your Story Counselling
- Sep 1
- 5 min read
When it comes to supporting children’s mental health, talk therapy isn’t always the best fit—especially for younger kids who may not have the vocabulary or emotional awareness to express what they’re feeling. That’s where music and art therapy step in.
At Your Story Counselling, we believe in meeting children where they are—and for many kids, that means engaging them through creative, sensory-based experiences rather than direct conversation. Music and art therapy offer children safe, playful, and effective ways to express, regulate, and understand their emotions—especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed at school, having trouble focusing, or experiencing big emotional ups and downs.
Why Talk Therapy Isn’t Always Enough for Kids
Traditional talk therapy often relies on conversation, reflection, and abstract thinking—all of which can be difficult for younger children. While some kids can engage in verbal expression, many struggle to identify and articulate their emotions clearly.
This isn’t due to a lack of effort—it’s developmental. Children process emotions through play, movement, sounds, and images. For kids, creativity is their language.
This approach is especially helpful for:
Kids who struggle with emotional regulation
Children with short attention spans
Kids who are burnt out or overwhelmed by school stress
Neurodivergent children, including those diagnosed with ADHD, Autism/ASD, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), OCD, or other learning differences
Neurotypical children navigating everyday worries, social changes, or family transitions
The Benefits of Music and Art Therapy
🎨 1. Expression Without Words
Children who may feel anxious, frustrated, or withdrawn can use drawing, painting, rhythm, or melody to externalize what they’re holding inside. These tools offer a safe and non-verbal outlet for big feelings.
🎵 2. Engages the Whole Brain
Music and art activate multiple areas of the brain, especially those responsible for emotion regulation, sensory processing, and memory. This makes it an especially supportive option for neurodivergent children or those navigating sensory overload or executive functioning challenges.
🧠 3. Builds Emotional Literacy
Even if a child can’t name a feeling like “frustration” or “grief,” they can show it through colour, texture, or rhythm. Over time, therapists can help connect the creative process to emotional vocabulary, empowering kids to understand and talk about their inner world.
🤝 4. Strengthens the Therapeutic Bond
Through playful and creative modalities, children are more likely to feel at ease and form positive, secure attachments with their therapist. This relational safety is essential for emotional growth and healing.
🌱 5. Supports Focus and Regulation
For children who struggle with attention or impulse control, art and music can be grounding. Activities like drumming, clay sculpting, or guided painting offer predictable rhythms and sensory feedback that help kids calm, regulate, and focus.
Meet Our Expressive Arts Therapists
At Your Story Counselling, we are proud to have specialized clinicians offering art and music therapy for children, teens, and families.
🎨 Erica Min – Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Art Therapist
Erica supports children and youth through art-based exploration and creative storytelling. Her sessions often use painting, drawing, and mixed media to help kids access their emotions in safe, playful ways. Erica brings warmth, structure, and trauma-informed care to her work.
🎵 Jonathan Lu – Music Therapist (MTA)
Jonathan supports children, teens, and adults using the power of music, rhythm, and songwriting. Whether through drumming, singing, or instrumental play, Jonathan helps clients use music as a healing outlet. His calm, engaging presence makes music therapy feel accessible and fun.
Could Music or Art Therapy Be Right for Your Child?
If your child struggles with:
School-related stress or anxiety
Trouble focusing or staying on task
Big emotional reactions or shutdowns
Communication challenges
Diagnoses like ADHD, Autism/ASD, PDA, OCD
Or just needs a different way to express themselves
…they may benefit from a creative approach to healing. You don’t need a diagnosis to seek support. Sometimes, children just need a safe place to be heard, seen, and expressed in a way that works for them.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help parents understand what kind of therapy may work best for their child. Our team is here to support you—whether it’s through talk, paintbrushes, or piano keys.
Let’s support your child’s growth—creatively, compassionately, and at their pace.
Your Story Counselling Services is a multicultural, inclusive, BIPOC clinic that offers online services as well as in-person sessions in Vaughan and Markham.
Judy Lui and her team of clinicians and supervised therapist interns offer trauma-informed, clinical counselling in the form of art, play, and talk therapy. With an emphasis on social equity and justice,
Your Story offers counselling at a range of fee levels. Judy continues to see her clients, manages the clinic as Clinical Director, and mentors master ’s-level therapist interns.
Judy has been featured in the Toronto Star, where she discussed the impact of mental health struggles and the toll of COVID-19 on romantic relationships. She also co-authored a chapter in the first edition of An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy Centering the Lives of Indigenous, Racialized, and People of Color. She is a committee member with the Anti-Racism Advocacy Group at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, where she helps organize community events and panels on racial trauma and advocacy.
Judy is also one of three 2024 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Micro-Business Finalists and will represent the Central Canadian Region (Ontario & Montreal) for this honour.
Affordable Therapy York Region is committed to making quality mental health care more accessible across Markham, Vaughan, Concord, and the greater York Region. We offer both virtual and in-person sessions through a diverse team of supervised therapist interns and registered clinicians, with services starting as low as $20 per session.
Our clinic prioritizes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive care, ensuring that therapy is respectful of your identity, background, and lived experience. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, relationships, grief, or personal growth, we offer therapy that meets you where you are — emotionally and financially.
We also offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find the right therapist fit before you commit.Learn more or get started today at www.affordabletherapyyorkregion.ca.
If you have additional questions regarding the contents of this article please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer you.
Should you have questions or inquiries regarding counselling and the process of counselling, please visit our FAQ page. contact us to ask questions, or learn more about our team of therapists before signing up for a free 15 minute consultation.
Terms and Conditions of Use:
The information provided in this article is intended to be general knowledge and does not constitute as professional advice or treatment. This information is not intended for the use of diagnosis or treatment. Please do not share or distribute this article without the proper referencing or written/verbal consent of Judy Lui. Additional information can be found at www.yourstorycounselling.com or requested via info@yourstorycounselling.com
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Learn why music and art therapy work so well for children—especially those with attention, emotional, or learning challenges. Meet our creative therapists.
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