Inside the Castle: What Your Child’s Drawing Says About Power, Safety, and Boundaries
An Original Art Therapy Assessment That Helps Children Make Sense of Their Inner World
When children feel anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to express themselves, art can speak for them. As an art therapist, I’ve created many of my own specialized assessments—tools designed to gently draw out the stories, emotions, and struggles that children may not yet have words for.
One of the most powerful is what I call the Castle Directive—a creative assessment I’ve developed and refined over years of working with kids. It’s imaginative, engaging, and rich with psychological insight.
The Castle Directive: A Window Into the Self
When I ask a child to “draw a castle,” I’m not just inviting them to get creative—I’m giving them a safe metaphor to explore complex emotional themes like power, safety, fear, support, and boundaries.
Here’s what the prompt includes:
- A castle
- A moat
- Themselves
- A dragon
- Someone at the door
- The surrounding environment
- And anything else they want to add
To a child, it may feel like just a fantasy scene. But to me, it becomes a map of their emotional world.
What I’m Really Asking: Who Has the Power?
Each element of the drawing holds symbolic meaning:
- The Castle – Often represents the self or ego. Is it large or small? Crumbling or strong? Open or closed off?
- The Moat – Represents emotional boundaries. Is it wide? Shallow? Is there a drawbridge? Can someone cross it—or not?
- The Dragon – Symbolizes power. Who controls the dragon? Is it a protector or a threat? Does the child fear it—or rely on it?
- The Door – Is it open or closed? Who is standing there? Is the person a friend, a stranger, or a threat?
- The Child’s Placement – Where do they see themselves in the scene? Are they inside the castle or outside? Alone or with others?
- Additional Figures or Details – Who stands with them? Who do they trust? What’s missing?
These subtle choices reveal a great deal about how the child views the world, and more importantly—how they view their place in it.
What the Drawing Reveals About a Child’s Inner Life
This type of art therapy assessment helps uncover:
- A child’s sense of emotional safety
- Who or what they see as a threat
- Their understanding of boundaries and control
- Clues about past trauma or unresolved fear
- Power dynamics in family or school settings
- Their ability to access support or self-protection
One child, for instance, drew a towering castle with no door—completely sealed off. No one could enter, not even her. The moat was wide and the dragon was fierce. It was a powerful metaphor for how isolated and emotionally guarded she felt. Another child placed themselves riding the dragon—regaining control in a world where they often felt powerless.
Why Custom Art Therapy Assessments Matter
Many children can’t explain what they’re feeling, but they can draw it. This kind of creative, metaphor-based assessment allows children to express emotions, explore relationships, and share their experiences in a way that feels natural and non-threatening.
As a licensed and board-certified art therapist, I design these tools specifically for the unique needs of children—including those who are neurodivergent, adopted, or recovering from emotional trauma.
These original assessments are not worksheets or generic activities—they are clinically-informed tools that help me understand what a child is struggling with and how best to support them in therapy.
Westchester-Based Art Therapy That Goes Beyond Talk
If your child has trouble opening up in traditional therapy, or if you suspect something deeper is going on emotionally, art therapy may be the missing piece. My sessions create a safe space where children can express what they’re feeling—even if they don’t have the words.
Whether we’re drawing castles, trees, or imaginary worlds, I help kids build insight, confidence, and emotional resilience through the creative process.
📍 Located in Westchester, NY
🌱 Serving children, adolescents, and families
💬 Telehealth and in-person sessions available
🔒 All original assessments and techniques are proprietary and clinically developed
Let’s Find Out What Your Child’s Castle Reveals
Curious about what your child might be trying to say through their art? Contact me to learn more about art therapy sessions and how we can begin this creative, healing process together.
🌐 bethpatanearttherapist.com
📞 Free consultation available
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Copyright © 2025 Beth Patane, LCAT, ATR-BC. All rights reserved.
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