When Play Becomes Healing: How Creative Expression Supports Children with Anxiety or ADHD

By Yana Shenker, LCSW-R
Founder, Resilient Mind Psychotherapy

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Children make sense of the world through movement, imagination, and play long before they learn how to put feelings into words. For kids who struggle with anxiety, emotional regulation, or symptoms of ADHD in children, play becomes more than a source of joy it becomes a powerful therapeutic tool. When guided by a trained mental health professional, play allows children to express emotions, practice coping skills, and explore challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy, play therapy is woven into our work with children who experience attention difficulties, impulsivity, restlessness, perfectionism, or everyday worry. Through hands-on activities, art, storytelling, sensory exploration, and group interaction, kids learn how to understand their feelings, strengthen communication, and build confidence. For many families, this approach marks the turning point where emotional struggles begin to transform into growth.

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🧠 Understanding Anxiety and ADHD Through a Child’s Eyes

Anxiety and ADHD often show up in ways that adults may misinterpret. A child who appears “hyper,” “unfocused,” or “defiant” may actually be overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unsure how to manage internal discomfort. Children with ADHD frequently experience challenges such as:

• Difficulty sustaining attention

• Trouble sitting still

• Impulsive actions

• Emotional outbursts

• Quick frustration or “shutdowns”

• Sensory overload in loud or busy environments

Similarly, anxiety in children may appear as:

• Excessive worry

• Frequent fears or “what if” thoughts

• Avoidance of school or activities

• Perfectionism

• Stomachaches, headaches, or physical tension

• Fear of making mistakes or disappointing others

These emotional and neurological patterns affect school performance, peer relationships, and daily functioning — and kids often do not know how to explain what they’re feeling. That’s why play therapy becomes such an essential doorway into healing.

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🎭 Why Play Therapy Works for ADHD and Anxiety

In play therapy, children communicate through toys, art, movement, and creative expression. These activities feel natural and low-pressure, which allows emotions to surface more easily. Rather than being asked direct questions, kids show their inner experiences through what they choose, how they play, and the stories they create.

For children with ADHD, the sensory and movement-based elements of play therapy meet them exactly where they are. They can:

• Move, build, draw, and explore

• Practice impulse control in real time

• Strengthen focus through guided play

• Learn problem-solving through hands-on activities

• Use sensory tools to regulate their bodies and emotions

For children with anxiety, play therapy provides:

• A predictable, calming environment

• Safe expression of fears through figurines, drawings, or storytelling

• Gradual exposure to worries in a manageable format

• Supportive reflection from the therapist

• Confidence-building experiences

Through these activities, children gain emotional language, coping skills, and self-awareness — all of which help reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

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✨ The Connection Between Sensory Needs and Emotional Regulation

Children with ADHD or anxiety often have heightened sensory needs. They might be sensitive to noise, easily overwhelmed by clutter, or constantly seeking movement. These sensory patterns directly affect emotional regulation — making it harder to calm down, concentrate, or feel comfortable in group settings.

Play therapy seamlessly integrates sensory activities that support regulation, such as:

• Clay, sand, or kinetic materials

• Coloring, painting, or textured crafts

• Movement-based games

• Deep pressure or grounding exercises

• Fidget tools and tactile objects

Meeting sensory needs first helps children feel grounded, which improves attention, emotional stability, and engagement in the therapeutic process.

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👧 Group Therapy for Kids: Learning Together Through Play

While individual play therapy supports emotional expression, group therapy for kids helps children practice social and communication skills in real time. For children with ADHD or anxiety, group therapy provides opportunities to:

• Learn turn-taking and cooperative play

• Practice listening and sharing

• Understand social cues in a supportive setting

• Build confidence interacting with peers

• Experience positive feedback and acceptance

• Realize that they are not “the only one” experiencing challenges

Group sessions often include collaborative activities, communication games, art projects, and problem-solving tasks. These experiences allow children to apply the skills learned in play therapy — such as regulation, expression, and flexibility — within a social environment. The group becomes a safe practice space where emotional growth can happen naturally and joyfully.

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🔍 When to Consider ADHD Testing for Your Child

Families often wonder whether their child’s behavior is developmentally normal or a sign of something more. A comprehensive ADHD test can provide clarity, helping parents understand their child’s learning style, sensory needs, and emotional challenges.

An ADHD evaluation is recommended if your child consistently:

• Has difficulty focusing on tasks or instructions

• Appears restless or constantly “on the go”

• Struggles with impulse control

• Shows emotional outbursts or quick frustration

• Has trouble with organization or routines

• Struggles socially because of distractibility or impulsivity

• Seems overwhelmed easily, especially in group or school settings

A proper assessment helps families access therapy, school support, and personalized strategies that truly fit the child’s needs.

At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy, we provide professional ADHD screenings to help parents understand their child’s strengths and challenges — so therapy can be tailored effectively.

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🎨 When Play Becomes Healing

Play becomes healing when it helps a child feel seen, understood, and empowered. When art, creativity, and imagination give shape to emotions that were locked inside. When a child learns that movement isn’t a flaw — it’s part of how they process the world. When anxiety becomes manageable because big feelings finally have somewhere safe to go.

Through play therapy, ADHD-informed care, and group therapy for kids, we help children:

• Strengthen emotional regulation

• Understand their bodies and sensory needs

• Build resilience and confidence

• Form healthier peer relationships

• Improve communication and self-expression

Healing begins the moment a child realizes they don’t have to struggle alone — and that their emotions, creativity, and energy are welcome just as they are.

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At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy, our therapists provide compassionate, child-centered support rooted in creativity, clinical expertise, and a deep understanding of how kids learn. Whether your child is navigating anxiety, ADHD symptoms, or emotional overwhelm, we’re here to help them grow, connect, and thrive.

Book an ADHD Consultation with Resilient Mind Psychotherapy