Play & Art Therapy for Children

Expressive therapies, up to recently, have been considered alternative therapies by many traditional mental health professionals. Just as alternative therapies (such as massage, accupuncture, and herbal medicine) in medical practices are becoming mainstream, so too are 'alternative' mental heatlh therapies.

Play and art therapy are widely accepted in the U.S. and many countries outside of North America. Within Canada, play and art therapy has taken a hold in British Columbia and is steadily gaining acceptance in other parts of Canada. Other expressive therapies include drama, music, poetry, and dance.

Here are some links to some of the professional associations:

In Canada:

• Ontario Art Therapy Association
• Canadian Association of Art Therapists
• Canadian Association of Child and Play Therapists
• BC Art Therapy Association
• BC Play Therapy Association

A few examples outside of Canada:

• American Art Therapy Association
• British Association for Play Therapy
• Play Therapy International