Emotional regulation through sensory exploration & art expression

About the Group

Regulating our emotions and energy levels require an understanding of our bodies and how different experiences or stimulation can change our energy levels. Our children’s energy levels can be affected by the demands of daily activities, social relationships and learning requirements. To support our children’s regulation we must teach them to be more self aware of their energy levels and explore how to support their nervous system. 

This group combines sensory regulation with expressive art therapy for children to explore their senses and energies using a play based, client centered approach.  It allows for imagination and a variety of artistic mediums to promote self expression and discover emotional regulation. This group was designed in collaboration with Karen Don OT and will be led by Madison Phyper OTA and expressive art therapist.  

How the group works

This 6-week program includes both child and parent components.  A pre-screen session is required for new students to TCTC to determine eligibility for the group for a fee of  $85. 

• Week 1 (Parent and Child session):
  Parents meet with the therapists to learn about the concepts and language that will be introduced to the children, including an overview of emotional regulation and the Autism Level Up “Energy Levels” framework.
• Weeks 2–4 (Child Sessions):
  Using a variety of sensory exploration and art expression the child will explore how the different things can change their energy levels. They will discuss when we need to change our energy level to match the activities or daily demands. 
• Week 5 (Parent and Child session):
  Parents will reconnect to review what their child has learned, explore how to continue supporting emotional regulation at home, and discuss the role of co-regulation.
• Week 6 (Child session):  Children wrap up the group by summarizing what they have learned and completing their favourite activities.

Fees

$85 per session X 6 sessions

Bio – Madison Phyper OTA and Expressive Arts Therapist

Madison is an occupational therapy assistant and Expressive Arts Therapist. She has ample experience working with a wide range of clients, and a playful, relational approach to therapy. Her educational background is in Expressive Arts Therapy (from The CREATE Institute), and theatre (BFA from Concordia University). Expressive Arts Therapy is a playful, somatic, sensory-rich and creative approach to therapy which utilizes artistic mediums to help enhance client’s self-expression, sense of self, confidence, processing, and regulation. 

Madison has worked as a therapist in both 1:1 and group settings, supporting women and

children in shelters with experiences of domestic violence and precarious housing, working with children through Happy Place Therapy Clinic, and doing home therapy for bed-bound individuals. Madison has also worked as an art teacher, PSW, and Education Assistant, and has plentiful experience working with a wide array of developmental disabilities and neurodiversity. Madison places great emphasis on accessibility in the therapeutic space and believes that joy, accessed through creative expression and play, is a primary tool for healing.

“Play is the foundation of learning, creativity, self-expression, and constructive problem-solving.

It’s how children wrestle with life to make it meaningful.”

– Susan Linn

(Psychologist, Writer, and Ventriloquist)”