What Does Your Child’s Tree Say?
What Does Your Child’s Tree Drawing Reveal?
How a Simple Art Therapy Exercise Unlocks Deep Emotional Insight
As a parent, you might wonder what your child is really feeling—especially if they struggle to express emotions in words. One surprisingly powerful way to understand your child’s inner world is through a simple art therapy prompt: “Draw a tree.”
This may sound basic—or even silly—but as a licensed art therapist specializing in child and adolescent therapy, I’ve seen firsthand how revealing this directive can be. A tree drawing often acts as a symbolic self-portrait, offering a safe and creative outlet for emotions, past experiences, and unspoken struggles.
The Tree as a Mirror of the Self
When a child draws a tree, they unconsciously make choices that reflect their own emotional state and self-image:
- Is the tree tall, strong, or bending?
- Does it have roots—or is it tipping over?
- Is it full of leaves, bare, or blooming with fruit?
- Are the leaves falling? Is the tree surrounded by others—or standing alone?
- Is there a hole in the tree? Are they inside it?
Each of these details can carry symbolic meaning. For example, a hole in the trunk might suggest trauma, and its placement could even indicate when in the child’s life the trauma occurred. A tree with bare branches might suggest feelings of emptiness, loss, or depression. I once worked with a child who drew a tree with all of its leaves swept into a bag on the curb—waiting for garbage pickup. It was a heartbreaking but powerful image of feeling discarded and emotionally depleted.
Why Art Therapy Works for Kids
Children often express themselves more easily through images than words, especially when it comes to emotions they don’t yet understand. Art therapy provides a non-threatening, open-ended way for children to process big feelings in a safe and developmentally appropriate way.
Unlike talk therapy, art therapy doesn’t rely on verbal expression alone. It’s not about being a “good artist”—it’s about giving kids permission to explore their inner world through color, shape, and metaphor.
Helping Your Child Feel Seen and Heard
When guided by a trained art therapist, drawing a tree becomes more than an art project—it becomes a window into your child’s emotional experience. As the child begins to talk about their drawing, they often make new connections, discover deeper self-awareness, and find words for things they hadn’t been able to explain before.
Is Your Child Struggling to Express Their Emotions?
If your child has anxiety, big emotions, behavioral challenges, or a history of trauma, art therapy can help. It creates a gentle pathway for healing, self-expression, and connection—especially for children who feel misunderstood or overwhelmed.
As an experienced art therapist serving children and families in Westchester County and beyond, I’m passionate about helping kids feel seen, understood, and supported. I offer in-person and telehealth sessions that integrate creative expression with therapeutic support tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Curious What Your Child’s Tree Might Say?
Sometimes, the simplest drawings can say the most. If you’d like to learn more about art therapy for your child—or just explore what creative therapy might reveal—I’d love to talk.
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