Art Education Therapy for Children with Anxiety Disorders

Abstract Book of the 10th World Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities

Year: 2026

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Art Education Therapy for Children with Anxiety Disorders

Chen Ching Liu

ABSTRACT:

This article examines the role of art education therapy in supporting emotional regulation, self-awareness, and psychological resilience among children with anxiety disorders. Childhood anxiety may affect learning, interpersonal relationships, self-confidence, and daily adaptation. Since many children have difficulty verbalizing complex psychological distress, art-based intervention provides a non-verbal, symbolic, and developmentally appropriate pathway for emotional expression. This study adopts a literature-based qualitative approach and reviews relevant research on childhood anxiety, art education therapy, artistic media, and child mental health. The findings suggest that art education therapy enables children to externalize anxiety, transform inner tension into visual and tactile forms, and reconstruct difficult emotional experiences through creative processes. Artistic media such as drawing, painting, clay modeling, sand tray work, collage, and drama-based activities provide sensory, symbolic, and reflective experiences that support emotional release, self-exploration, and coping skill development. In addition, family and school environments play important roles in sustaining therapeutic effects by offering emotional security, consistent support, and opportunities for social interaction. Overall, art education therapy should be understood as a complementary educational and therapeutic approach that promotes emotional regulation, psychological resilience, and holistic growth in children with anxiety disorders.

Keywords: Art Education Therapy; Children with Anxiety Disorders; Emotional Regulation; Art-Based Intervention; Psychological Resilience