Expressive Arts Summer Program
Calm • Create • Connect
This summer, we are offering a small, nurturing Expressive Arts Summer Program designed to help children build confidence, emotional skills, and self-expression through creativity.
At The Counselling House and PARTI, we believe children grow best when they feel safe, understood, and free to explore who they are. Our summer program combines art, play, creativity, and gentle emotional learning in a relaxed environment.
Through activities like painting, clay, storytelling, movement, and imagination-based play, children can explore their feelings, develop friendships, and build important life skills.
Each session is thoughtfully guided by experienced therapists in a warm, supportive setting.
Children do not need to be artistic — just curious and open to exploring.
What Children Will Experience
Each session includes activities such as:
🎨 Painting and creative art
🪨 Clay and sensory art
📖 Storytelling and imagination play
🎭 Drama and expressive movement
🦋 Emotion and self-expression activities
🌿 Calm-down and relaxation skills
These activities help children develop:
• Confidence and self-expression
• Emotional awareness
• Social connection
• Calm and coping skills
Most importantly, children get to have fun while being themselves.
Program Schedule
Sessions run throughout July and August.
Two session options each day:
Morning Session
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Afternoon Session
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Families may register for individual sessions or multiple days.
Program Fee
$100 per session
(2-hour program)
All art materials are included.
Who This Camp Is For
This program is especially helpful for children who:
• Are sensitive or thoughtful
• Feel big emotions
• Enjoy art and creativity
• Benefit from small group settings
• Would like to build confidence and friendships
Children do not need art experience.
Small Group Environment
To create a calm and supportive space, group sizes are intentionally small.
This allows each child to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.
Sessions are guided by experienced therapists who specialize in helping children build emotional skills through creative expression.
Expressive Arts Summer Program for Children
The Creative Calm Kids Summer Program is a structured expressive arts program facilitated by a registered mental health professional. The program incorporates creative arts activities such as drawing, painting, clay, storytelling, and movement to support children’s emotional awareness, self-regulation, and social development.
Sessions focus on helping children develop healthy coping strategies, emotional expression, confidence, and interpersonal skills within a supportive small-group environment.
Creative arts approaches are widely used within therapeutic settings to support children’s mental health and emotional well-being. The program is guided by principles of expressive arts therapy, emotional regulation, and relational development.
Sessions are facilitated by Rev. Dr. Laurie Ponsford-Hill, PhD, RMFT, RCAT, RSW, RP, family and child specialist, and are designed to provide a supportive space for children to explore creativity while developing emotional and social skills.
Parents may submit receipts to their extended health benefits provider where coverage for psychotherapy or social work services is available. Reimbursement is determined by individual insurance plans.
Receipts will be issued for services provided by a Registered Social Worker / Psychotherapist. Some families may be able to submit receipts to their extended health benefits provider depending on individual coverage.
Location
Hosted at The Counselling House, Portside ART Institute (PARTI), 187.5 Main St, Port Stanley, ON
A peaceful and welcoming space where creativity and emotional growth come together.
Registration
Spaces are limited.
To register or learn more, please contact:
Email: portsideartinstitute@thecounsellinghouse.ca
Phone number: 226-228-0315
Attachment Relationship Regulation Kids – Expressive Arts Summer Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creative Kids Summer Program?
Creative Calm Kids is a small-group summer program where children explore creativity, emotions, and confidence through art, imagination, and play.
Each session includes activities such as painting, clay, storytelling, movement, and expressive arts. These activities help children learn healthy ways to understand emotions, build confidence, and connect with others.
The program is guided by experienced mental health professionals in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Is this a therapy program or a camp?
The program blends the fun and creativity of a summer camp with activities that support emotional growth and self-expression.
While it is not a substitute for individual psychotherapy, sessions are facilitated by trained therapists and use creative approaches commonly used in therapeutic settings to support children’s emotional development.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for children who:
• Enjoy art and creativity
• Feel big emotions
• Are sensitive or thoughtful
• May be shy or anxious in larger groups
• Would benefit from building confidence and social skills
• Thrive in smaller, calmer environments
Children do not need artistic ability to participate.
What age groups attend?
Groups are designed to support children in developmentally appropriate ways.
Typically, participants range between ages 7–11, with activities adapted to meet the needs of the group.
How many children are in each group?
To create a calm and supportive experience, group sizes are intentionally small.
Small groups help children feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to participate at their own pace.
What happens during a session?
Each two-hour session typically includes:
• A welcome and creative warm-up
• A guided art or creative activity
• A short movement or regulation break
• A second creative activity or imaginative play
• A calm closing reflection
Children are always encouraged, but never pressured, to share or participate.
What should my child bring?
Children should bring:
• Comfortable clothing that can get a little messy
• A water bottle
• Any personal comfort items if needed
All art materials are provided.
Can parents stay?
Children generally attend sessions independently so they can build confidence and connection with peers.
However, parents are welcome to discuss any concerns with facilitators before or after sessions.
Can I register for individual sessions?
Yes.
Families may register for individual sessions or multiple days depending on availability.
Will I receive a receipt for insurance?
Yes.
Receipts will be issued for services provided by a registered mental health professional. Some families may be able to submit these receipts to their extended health benefits provider depending on their coverage.
What Parents Are Saying
“My child came home calmer and more confident after each session. The creative activities helped them express things they normally struggle to talk about.”
“The small group environment made such a difference. My child felt safe and supported right away.”
“This was exactly what we were looking for — something fun but also meaningful.”
Professional Endorsements
Parents often look for reassurance that programs are guided by trained professionals.
Creative Calm Kids is facilitated by:
Dr. Laurie Ponsford-Hill, PhD, RMFT, RSW, RP
Dr. Ponsford-Hill (RSW) and her colleagues have extensive experience supporting children and families through expressive arts, relational therapy, and emotional development.
Her work integrates creative approaches with evidence-informed practices that support emotional regulation, resilience, and connection.
Professional Affiliations
Member / Registered with:
• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
• Canadian Art Therapy Association
Why Families Choose Creative Calm Kids
✔ Small supportive groups
✔ Creative and engaging activities
✔ Guided by experienced therapists
✔ Focus on confidence, calm, and connection
✔ A welcoming environment where children can be themselves
Ready to Register?
Sessions run throughout July and August.
Morning Session
9:00 – 11:00
Afternoon Session
2:00 – 4:00
Cost:
$100 per session
Spaces are limited.
Contact us today to reserve a spot.
Why This Camp Is Different
Many summer programs focus on keeping children busy.
Our goal is something deeper — helping children feel confident, calm, and connected to themselves and others.
Creative Calm Kids was designed by a therapist who has spent many years supporting children and families through creativity, emotional development, and relationship-based approaches to healing.
Instead of large, busy camp environments, this program offers a small, nurturing space where children can slow down, explore their creativity, and build important life skills.
Small, Supportive Groups
Children often thrive in smaller environments where they feel seen and supported.
Our sessions intentionally keep group sizes small so that each child receives encouragement, guidance, and space to participate at their own pace.
Creativity as a Path to Confidence
Children sometimes find it easier to express themselves through art, storytelling, and play than through words alone.
Through painting, clay, drama, drawing, and imaginative activities, children can explore feelings, build confidence, and discover their unique voice.
There is no pressure to be “good at art.”
The focus is simply on expression, curiosity, and creativity.
Emotional Skills That Last
While children are having fun creating, they are also learning important emotional skills such as:
• recognizing and understanding feelings
• calming their bodies and minds
• expressing themselves in healthy ways
• building positive friendships
These skills help children long after the summer program ends.
A Calm and Welcoming Environment
Many children today experience busy schedules and overstimulating environments.
This program offers a calmer pace where children can feel safe, supported, and encouraged to simply be themselves.
A Place Where Children Can Simply Be Themselves
Perhaps the most important difference is that this program creates a space where children feel accepted just as they are.
When children feel safe and understood, creativity flourishes, confidence grows, and meaningful connections begin to form.
Calm • Create • Connect
That is the heart of the Creative Calm Kids Summer Program.
Why This Camp Is Different
Many summer programs focus on keeping children busy.
Our goal is something deeper — helping children feel confident, calm, and connected to themselves and others.
Creative Calm Kids was designed by a therapist who has spent many years supporting children and families through creativity, emotional development, and relationship-based approaches to healing.
Instead of large, busy camp environments, this program offers a small, nurturing space where children can slow down, explore their creativity, and build important life skills.
Emotional Skills That Last
While children are having fun creating, they are also learning important emotional skills such as:
• recognizing and understanding feelings
• calming their bodies and minds
• expressing themselves in healthy ways
• building positive friendships
These skills help children long after the summer program ends.
A Calm and Welcoming Environment
Many children today experience busy schedules and overstimulating environments.
This program offers a calmer pace where children can feel safe, supported, and encouraged to simply be themselves.
Calm • Create • Connect
That is the heart of the Creative Calm Kids Summer Program.
🎉 Support Creative Calm Kids Summer Camp! 🍪
Get Your Giggles & Give Back
This summer, we’re raising donations to support Creative Calm Kids Expressive Arts Summer Camp, where children explore creativity, confidence, and calm through fun, guided activities.
You can help us make this summer magical — and treat yourself at the same time!
🍪 Giggle Cookies
Delicious, hand-made cookies that bring a smile to every bite!
🥜 Giggle Mix
Our sweet & crunchy peanut brittle mix — perfect for snacking, gifting, or sharing.
All proceeds go directly to funding our summer camp, giving children a safe, supportive, and creative space to grow.
How to Get Yours
- Visit our website www.portsideartinstitute.ca
- Email us at portisdeartinstitute@thecounsellinghouse.ca
- Call us at 519-421-2845
Prices:
Giggle Cookies – $3.00 for 1 or $5.00 for 3
Giggle Mix – $5.00 per bag
Pick up in person or have it delivered locally.
Why Your Support Matters
Every cookie and every bag of Giggle Mix helps us:
- Keep small, supportive groups for children
- Provide all art materials for creative activities
- Ensure every child has access to emotional growth and confidence-building opportunities
Your support makes a real difference — one bite at a time!
💛 Thank you for helping children Calm • Create • Connect this summer!
About the Book
Art-Based Relational Regulation Therapy (ARRT)
Integrating Relational Regulation, Attachment, and Art Therapy Practice
Art-Based Relational Regulation Therapy (ARRT) is an integrative clinical framework that brings together attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, expressive arts therapy, and relational neuroscience into a unified approach to healing.
At its core, ARRT is built on a simple but powerful premise:
Healing happens through relationship, regulation, and creative expression.
This book offers a structured yet flexible model for therapists working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families who are navigating trauma, emotional dysregulation, identity challenges, and relational distress.
Rather than focusing solely on insight or symptom reduction, ARRT emphasizes:
- Nervous system regulation before processing
- Relational safety before intervention
- Expressive arts as a pathway to integration
- Identity development through creative exploration
Through clinical frameworks, case-informed applications, and expressive arts interventions, this book bridges theory and practice in a way that is accessible, grounded, and immediately usable in therapeutic settings.
ARRT is designed to be used in:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Child and adolescent treatment
- Family and caregiver work
- Expressive arts-based clinical practice
This is not only a theoretical model — it is a practical clinical system for real-world therapeutic work.
👩⚕️ About the Author
Dr. Laurie Ponsford-Hill, PhD, RSW, RP, RCAT
Dr. Laurie Ponsford-Hill is a Canadian clinician, educator, and author specializing in trauma-informed psychotherapy, expressive arts therapy, attachment-based treatment, and relational regulation approaches to mental health.
She is a Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, and Registered Canadian Art Therapist with extensive clinical experience supporting individuals, couples, families, and children through complex trauma, emotional dysregulation, and relational challenges.
Her work integrates:
- Attachment theory and developmental psychology
- Trauma neuroscience and nervous system regulation
- Expressive arts therapy and creative clinical practice
- Neurodiversity-affirming and relationally grounded care
Dr. Ponsford-Hill is the developer of Art-Based Relational Regulation Therapy (ARRT), an integrative clinical model that emphasizes regulation, safety, and expressive integration as foundational pathways to healing.
Her clinical approach is deeply relational, emphasizing that healing occurs not only through techniques, but through safe connection, co-regulation, and creative expression within therapeutic relationships.
She is also an educator and supervisor, supporting clinicians in developing skills in expressive arts therapy, trauma-informed practice, and relational regulation-based interventions.
🌿 Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Ponsford-Hill’s work is guided by a central belief:
When people feel safe, seen, and supported, they naturally move toward healing, connection, and integration.
💛 Calm • Create • Connect
ARRT reflects a commitment to bringing together science, creativity, and relationship in service of emotional healing across the lifespan.
