CHILD PSYCHOLOGISTS TRAINED IN ART, SANDTRAY & PLAY-BASED THERAPY IN EDMONTON

Art, Sandtray & Play-Based Therapy for Children in Edmonton

TRUSTED EDMONTON THERAPISTS SPECIALIZING IN CHILD THERAPY

About Art, Sandtray & Play-Based Therapy for Children

Our compassionate team of Child Psychologists support many families in the Greater Edmonton area with overcoming challenging situations and helping children work towards optimal development. We are thrilled to announce that we also offer play therapy for children at our St. Albert clinic as well.

Children express their emotional experiences and needs through creative methods using art and play. Our Child Psychologists believe that it is important that we meet each child where they are at developmentally, without pushing too much. This allows each child to feel safe and to build trust with their Psychologist as a new adult in their life, which will lead to further emotional expression. Our Child Psychologists work with children to help them understand how they are feeling, learn how to express these emotions in healthy ways (rather than aggressively or holding them in), and make meaning of their life experiences.

Using art, sandtray and play-based therapy helps adults connect with children, as we are speaking their language. Children often can’t express what they’re thinking or feeling with words, but they can draw it, build it, create it, and play it out. Creative and expressive therapies helps children feel heard, seen, understood and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges. Children learn that it is okay to address their fears, worries, and big emotions. In addition to using play and art-based therapy, our Psychologists weave in elements of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or Positive Psychology to teach children effective coping skills and strategies.

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, families work with us not only because of our clinical expertise, but because they feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way. We look forward to helping your little ones learn valuable therapeutic tools and coping skills!

To learn more about counselling for children at our Edmonton or St. Albert clinics, click below.

FAMILY-CENTERED CHILD THERAPY IN EDMONTON

Modalities of Child Therapy at Solace

Our compassionate Child Psychologists provide specialized child therapy services for those in the Greater Edmonton area. We have an engaging Play Therapy room (Kids’ Calm Cove) dedicated to children who are learning and growing. Sessions may also be held virtually if you live outside of Edmonton or St. Albert, but still within the province of Alberta. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, grief, ADHD, separation, big transitions, sibling conflict, or self-esteem challenges, play, art and sandtray therapy meets them right where they are developmentally, emotionally, and relationally.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a great way for children and teens to express deeper emotions and communicate current struggles in their lives. It’s also a creative way to display one’s goals and vision for a better future life. Various art materials are used in session, including: markers, crayons, stickers, coloured paper, paint, pastels, play-doh, pom-poms, worry boxes, mindfulness glitter jars, paper puppets, journals, and more. You don’t need to be “artistic”, just willing to explore. The process is about expression, not perfection, helping young clients process feelings, reduce stress, and reconnect with their inner voice in a way that feels safe and empowering. Art therapy can be especially helpful when words are hard to find, offering another path to healing and self-understanding.

Sandtray Therapy

Sandtray therapy allows children to display their inner world in a therapeutic sandbox, using figurines and other helpful objects. This method taps into the brain’s natural way of organizing experience through images and symbols. As children go through the process of building their experiences in the sand and describing them to a Child Psychologist, they begin to make sense of their struggles. The sandbox becomes a world they can shape and control, which is especially empowering for children feeling powerless in other parts of life. Healing occurs when fear, past trauma, and worries no longer control children’s lives as they learn how to cope effectively.

Play Therapy

Play therapy allows children the freedom and space to communicate what is going on inside. Children may choose to play with stuffed animals, dolls, or figurines, and use various props to help them express how they feel in certain situations. Together with a trained Child Psychologist, they can learn how to handle tough situations and big emotions in safe, respectful, and effective ways. hrough this gentle, child-led process, kids build emotional awareness, develop problem-solving skills, and begin to see themselves as capable and understood. Over time, this type of therapy can support lasting confidence, healing, and healthier relationships both at home and in school.

Art Therapy

Sandtray Therapy

Play Therapy

What Can Art, Sandtray & Play-Based Therapy Help Children With?

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, healing begins through creativity, imagination, and play. Art, sandtray, and play-based therapy can be highly effective for children who are experiencing:

Anxiety or excessive worry
Anger, irritability, or outbursts
Grief, separation, or divorce in the family
School refusal or social difficulties
Emotional dysregulation
Trauma or difficult life transitions
Low self-esteem or withdrawn behavior
Sibling conflict or family stress

Our Child Therapists specialize in working with children ages 4 and up, tailoring each session to your child’s age, personality, and needs.

What Children & Parents can Expect in Art, Sandtray & Play-Based Therapy Sessions at Solace

Every child is different, and so is every therapy session. At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we create a welcoming and playful environment where your child can feel safe to be themselves. Our Child Therapists take time to build a trusting relationship before diving into deeper therapeutic work. This might look like playing board games together, building a scene in the sandtray, or creating silly creatures out of modeling clay, but every activity is intentionally chosen to support rapport-building, safety, emotional expression, self-regulation, and healing.

We follow your child’s lead while gently guiding the process toward insight and growth. Sometimes the therapy may seem like “just play” from the outside, but under the surface, we’re helping your child explore and express big feelings, try out new coping skills, and build resilience in ways that feel natural and non-threatening.

Here’s what a typical session may include:

Free or structured play to build comfort, trust, and connection
Art activities like drawing, collage, or sculpting to express emotions without pressure
Sandtray work where your child uses figures and symbols to explore their inner world
Therapeutic stories, puppets, or role-play to explore emotions, problem-solving, or tough experiences through imagination
Emotion coaching and co-regulation strategies to help your child recognize and name their feelings
Playful skill-building games to improve emotional regulation, communication, and self-esteem

Depending on your child’s age and needs, sessions are either child-only or may include a parent/caregiver check-in at the beginning or end. You’ll never be left in the dark as our therapists provide ongoing feedback, guidance, and support so you feel confident about how therapy is helping your child grow.

We believe that when children feel emotionally safe and supported, they naturally begin to show us what’s going on inside, and together, we help them find new ways to cope, express themselves, and feel empowered.

Why Families in Edmonton Trust Solace Psychology & Wellness for Child Therapy

We understand that bringing your child to therapy can feel like a big step. You may be wondering: “Will they open up? Will this actually help? What if it’s something I’ve done wrong?” These thoughts are completely normal, and at Solace Psychology & Wellness, we’re here to meet you with reassurance, not judgment.

Families choose us because we provide more than just therapy sessions; we offer a genuine, compassionate partnership with both children and their caregivers. Our Child Therapists aren’t just clinically trained; they’re warm, playful, and deeply attuned to the unique emotional needs of growing kids and the caregivers who support them.

Our goal is to provide a unique, engaging place where children feel safe to express themselves, and where parents feel supported, too. We believe in your child’s capacity to grow. We believe in your capacity to support them. And we’re here to help bridge the gap between the two.

Here’s why parents and families feel confident choosing Solace:

A specially designed, child-friendly therapy room:
Our play therapy room is more than just colorful; it’s thoughtfully designed to be an emotionally safe space where children can express, process, and explore their inner world in developmentally appropriate ways. It includes a variety of toys, games, art materials, sensory tools, sandtrays, and cozy corners that support different forms of emotional expression and regulation. It’s a room that says, “You belong here exactly as you are.”
Specialized Child Therapists:
Our team includes psychologists and therapists with advanced training in play therapy, art therapy, child development, trauma, and emotional regulation. We tailor every approach to meet your child where they are, developmentally and emotionally.
Emotionally attuned and attachment-based care:
We don’t just work on surface behaviour. We go deeper, supporting children in understanding and managing their feelings, healing from stressors, and building strong, secure inner foundations.
Trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and inclusive:
We work with children from all backgrounds, abilities, and family structures. Whether your child is neurodivergent, navigating cultural transitions, or healing from trauma, we meet each child with curiosity and care; never using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Genuine collaboration with parents and caregivers:
We value your input. You know your child best, and we honour your role in their healing. We check in regularly, share insight, and help you build tools to support your child at home, school, and in day-to-day life without overwhelming you.
No-pressure, playful connection:
Children don’t need to sit still, explain everything, or have “good behaviour” to be helped here. We create a space where your child can explore, feel, play, and be fully themselves. Healing follows when kids feel safe and accepted.
Whole-family support:
We know that when a child is struggling, it affects the whole family system. Whether you are looking for parenting guidance, resources for siblings, or a moment to catch your breath, we’re here for you, too. Your child isn’t the only one who deserves compassion; you do, too.

A Glimpse into Our Play Therapy Room - Designed for Healing, Connecting & Growing

Step into our Play Therapy Room (Kids’ Calm Cove) and you’ll immediately notice the warmth, comfort and inspiration it offers; a place where children can truly feel safe to be themselves. Soft lighting, creative colors, and a cozy couch create an inviting atmosphere, while shelves neatly display toys and tools that spark creativity and emotional exploration.

One corner features our sandtray table, complete with sparkly sand and an array of miniature figurines (animals, people, vehicles, natural elements, and fantasy characters) ready to help children bring their inner stories to life. A bright, well-stocked art station invites children to paint, draw, sculpt with play-doh, or craft something entirely their own. A beautiful dollhouse, complete with tiny furniture and accessories, provides opportunities for role-play and exploring family or social dynamics. Therapeutic books are thoughtfully selected to encourage curiosity, empathy, self-reflection, emotional regulation and skill building.

Every element in the room is intentional. The space is designed to promote emotional expression, problem-solving, and healing through play — a child’s natural language. Guided by a trained Child Psychologist, children can work through challenges, learn new coping skills, and build resilience in an environment that feels safe, supportive, and full of possibilities.

You’re an important part of your child’s healing journey.

How Parents Are Involved in Therapy

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we believe that children heal best when their caregivers feel supported, informed, and involved, not left on the sidelines. That’s why we partner with parents and guardians every step of the way.

Our approach is grounded in collaboration. While sessions are primarily focused on your child, your insights, observations, and experiences at home are key to making therapy effective. We work together to understand your child’s needs, celebrate their progress, and develop strategies that support emotional growth beyond the therapy room.

Therapy isn’t just for your child, it’s for your whole family system. When parents feel informed and empowered, children feel more supported, and progress is more sustainable. We’re here to walk alongside you with compassion, creativity, and care.

Here’s how we involve and support parents:

Initial parent/caregiver consultation:
Before therapy begins, we meet with parents (without your child) to learn about your child’s history, milestones, strengths, likes/dislikes, coping skills, and current concerns. This gives us a full picture of what’s going on and helps us tailor our approach. *Can be booked at our Edmonton or St. Albert clinics, or virtually.

Regular check-ins:
Depending on your child’s age and goals, we may include brief check-ins before or after sessions, or schedule separate parent sessions to review progress and offer guidance.

Ongoing collaboration:
You’ll never be left guessing. We’ll share general themes we’re noticing (without breaking your child’s confidentiality) and provide tools and strategies you can use at home, such as emotion coaching, routines, or regulation supports.

Support for parenting challenges:
Sometimes it’s not just about what’s happening in the child, but also what’s happening around them. We’re here to support you, too, whether you’re dealing with co-parenting stress, school issues, burnout, or your own emotional responses to your child’s behaviour.

Resource sharing:
We offer reliable book recommendations, practical handouts, helpful podcasts, and other family-friendly resources to help deepen your understanding of your child’s emotional world.

Trusted referrals and community partnerships:
Sometimes children need more than one kind of support. If we believe your child could also benefit from services like occupational therapy (OT), speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, or other specialized care, we’ll guide you with compassion and clarity. We’re proud to collaborate with a network of trusted professionals across Edmonton and will help you connect with the right fit for your child’s needs.

The Power of Play

Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a developmental psychologist, emphasizes that play is essential for healthy emotional, social, and cognitive development, and not just a leisure activity. His insights highlight exactly why play therapy is such a powerful approach in our work with children.

Since true play allows kids to process emotions, experiment with problem-solving, and express themselves without fear of judgment, the play therapy room becomes a safe and developmentally natural space for healing.

In play therapy, children use toys, props, art, and imagination to work through big feelings, rehearse new coping skills, and make sense of their world. A trained Child Psychologist follows the child’s lead, supporting them as they explore themes, resolve inner conflicts, and build emotional resilience.

By tapping into the innate therapeutic power of play, we meet children where they are, helping them heal, grow, and develop the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges, exactly in line with what Dr. Neufeld says children need most.

“Art and play-based therapy provides us with a glimpse into a child’s inner world. Encouraging healing though play can be deeply reparative.”

— Child Therapy Team at Solace

Children’s Workshops & Therapy Groups for Emotional Resilience in Edmonton

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we offer various workshops and therapy groups for children throughout the year at our Edmonton clinic. Our children’s workshops and therapy groups are designed to help kids develop the tools they need to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence. Through fun, interactive activities such as art, games, role-play, and storytelling, children learn healthy coping skills, social skills, emotional awareness, and problem-solving strategies. Guided by our compassionate therapists, these groups provide a safe space to practice resilience, build self-esteem, and form positive connections with peers. Our goal is to empower children to face challenges with courage and adapt to change with strength.

Children’s mental health workshops and therapy groups are held at our clinic in South Edmonton.
For some groups/workshops, a parent intake session must be completed prior to the start date (standard fees apply).
Spots are limited and book up quickly.

Set your child up for success:

Connect with us today to register or inquire about upcoming children’s therapy groups and workshops.

780-702-1079 · hello@solacewellness.ca

780-702-1079 hello@solacewellness.ca

Direct billing is available for select insurance companies.

Please note that child therapy coverage varies by provider and policy. In the event that your plan does not allow for direct billing, you will be provided with a detailed receipt to submit for reimbursement.

Don’t live in Edmonton?

In addition to in-clinic sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert, our psychologists offer secure virtual child therapy sessions (video or phone) for anyone living in Alberta. Access quality therapy from the comfort of your own home. *Recommended for older children who have a longer attention span.

Book your child’s play or art therapy session in Edmonton or St. Albert.

YOUR TRUSTED EDMONTON CHILD THERAPISTS

Solace Psychology & Wellness

EDMONTON: hello@solacewellness.ca | 780-702-1079 | #205, 2435 90B Street SW, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6X 1V8

ST. ALBERT: StAlbert@solacewellness.ca | 780-702-1079 | #508, 1 Tache Street, St. Albert, AB, Canada, T8N 1B4