Unlocking Creativity and Healing: The Power of Art Therapy for Teens
- Allison McDiarmid
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 25
Ah, the teenage years - packed full of self-discovery, waves of emotions, and intense change. I remember it all too well. As a parent of a teen, it certainly brings it all to the forefront! Teens today face so many pressures: academic demands, social challenges and navigating relationships. They are also dealing with identity questions, future decisions, navigating social media and sometimes grief and loss, trauma or mental health issues.
Let's pause here and acknowledge the bigness of it all?
I am often asked by parents, "How can I help my teen with all this pressure, especially when they don't seem to want to talk? I understand, parenting teens can be tough!
For teens who keep their emotions close to their hearts or are navigating experiences that are perhaps confusing, overwhelming or difficult to talk about, art therapy offers a unique way for teens to explore their emotions and communicate without words.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy combines creative processes with psychological techniques to support mental health and well-being. It allows individuals to use drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, writing, the options for creative self expression are truly limitless.
Art and creative self-expression help explore the inner self, foster new perspectives, enhance self-awareness, and support the integration of unresolved life experiences. This form of therapy can help teens build confidence, manage stress, and develop healthier coping skills. For adolescents, whose brains are still developing, art therapy supports healthy neural connections related to self-awareness and emotional control. This can lead to long-term benefits in mental health and resilience.
Why Adolescents Benefit from Art Therapy
Art therapy helps by:
Encouraging self-expression without judgment
Reducing anxiety and stress through creative distraction and relaxation
Enhancing coping strategies by identifying and processing feelings
Improving emotional regulation by learning to calming the nervous system
Building self-esteem as teens gain mastery and create something meaningful
Enhancing communication skills when words fall short
Exploring parts of oneself to deepen understanding of themselves and the world
Slowing down when the pace of the world feels overwhelming
Brightening the inner flame and honour the uniqueness and strengths
Fosters healing when the weight of a loss feels too heavy to carry
Giving space and time to process experiences that are difficult to name or talk about
Providing a playful outlet that provides an anchor during times of stress and change ... and it can be fun!
How Art Therapy Sessions Work
The first session starts with an appointment with the parent/guardian. During this initial session, we will discuss the concerns that are bringing your teen to therapy, and we work together to identify the unique goals to support your child and family and how to prepare your teen for their first session and during their therapy process.
Now, the fun part.... Art Therapy for Teens!
As a Registered Canadian Art Therapist located here in Calgary, Alberta, I welcome teens into my therapy office. I guide teens through creative interventions designed to explore their inner world. The focus is not on artistic skill but on the process of creation, what it reveals about the person’s emotions and experiences, and the meaning they make from the story their art holds .
Art therapy sessions are typically 60 minutes, with the first session focusing on getting to know each other, going over what is bringing your teen to therapy, and to exploring your teen's hopes and needs during our time together. I have a fully-stocked office of art supplies and your teen will be invited to try or use any of the mediums. During sessions, there is a lot of freedom for trying new and unfamiliar mediums as well as using preferred art materials.
Some of the common art therapy supplies and interventions you will find in my office include:
Drawing and painting materials
Masks
Collage material
Clay | Playdough | Slime
Mixed media
Fabric
Beads - lots and lots of beads!
Yarn | String | Wire
Canvas | Cardboard
Found and recycled objects
Natural objects
The options are limitless!
I provide tailored interventions that support your teen's needs, preferences and family goals.
At the root of art therapy is to foster self expression and to support deepening understanding of themselves and the world around them. I walk alongside teens by holding space, actively listening, reflecting, being curious, and observing their process. Sometimes we make art together, and at other times, your teen may want to work on their art independently. There is a lot of fluidity within the sessions during the art making process as well as engagement with the art when it is complete. This process invites deepening awareness by connecting images to the thoughts, emotions and their story.
Challenges and Considerations
While art therapy offers many benefits, it is certainly not a quick fix. Progress may be slow and requires commitment from the adolescent and family. Some teens may resist at first, especially if they doubt their artistic ability or feel vulnerable. That is normal! I walk compassionately alongside your teen at a pace that feels good for them and provide enough support to assist with slowly easing into the therapy process. Although the sessions are deeply rooted in creative self-expression, art making can also be used to support regulation while youth are talking about topics that are difficult. Sometimes we just talk, and that is okay too!
Art therapy opens a door for adolescents to explore and express their inner world in a way that words cannot always capture. It helps them manage emotions, build confidence, and find healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges. I think we can all agree, lightening the load for parents and teens is a win-win!
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