Have you ever wondered: “Why is my child drawing in therapy?” “How is playing with sand supposed to help?” “Why are they listening to music?” “Are they actually doing therapy?” 👀 The answer is yes! Expressive arts can be a meaningful part of the therapeutic process, especially when working with children and teens. So, what are expressive arts? Expressive arts involve using different creative forms such as art, music, movement, writing, play, storytelling, and other forms of

Imagine seeing a child struggling in deep water. They’re panicking. Exhausted. Barely keeping their head above the surface. Most people wouldn’t stand safely at the edge and yell: “Kick harder.” “You need to keep up.” “Other kids are swimming just fine.” “This will make you stronger.” We would recognize that the child was overwhelmed. We would move toward them — not away from them. We would help them feel safe before expecting them to swim again. And yet, emotionally, people

Ah, conflict. That awkward tension that can turn a perfectly fine day into a knot in your stomach. If your approach to dealing with it is: “Ignore it, avoid it, run away”These words have been very good to me. …then congratulations, you’ve just found your meme twin. And honestly? You’re not alone — conflict avoidance is one of the most common coping strategies out there. Why Avoidance Feels So Good (At First) Avoiding conflict can feel like a relief. It’s like slamming the “cl

If your meeting notes or lecture handouts have ever sprouted zigzags, spirals, or tiny stick figures, you’re not “spacing out”—you may actually be supporting your brain. Research shows that doodling, those simple marks we often make without much thought, can steady attention, reduce stress, and even strengthen memory. In other words: a few lines in the margins may be doing more for your mental health than you realize. Sharper focus, stronger memory ✏️🧠 A well-known study fro