Storytelling as an Expressive Arts Therapy Intervention with Children via Telehealth

As an expressive arts therapist in training working in the midst of a global pandemic, I sought to develop a creative, safe, accessible, and effective intervention for children via telehealth during a time of great uncertainty. Coronavirus 2019 has had a massive impact on mental and physical health and disrupted the lives of billions across the globe; the pandemic also forced mental health professionals to online formats. I found a significant lack of literature around expressive arts therapy via telehealth. Through considering theoretical approaches from cinematherapy, narrative therapy, metaphor therapy, play therapy, and expressive arts therapy, I developed an eight-week storytelling intervention for four clients between six and eleven years old at an outpatient child and family counseling center. I worked collaboratively to create six unique stories with each client to begin to conceptualize parts creatively and safely. The intervention was a successful and incredible experience for myself and my clients. Common themes across clients included family, isolation or loneliness, needing help, helping others, confusion, and problem-solving. In the end, I was astounded at their insight, reflection, and growth. I hope this intervention can help other professionals who may struggle with implementing expressive arts therapy via telehealth just as I did