Supporting Siblings
When a child has a disability, chronic illness, developmental difference, or mental health condition, siblings are often deeply impacted by the family's experience. While they may develop remarkable empathy, maturity, flexibility, and resilience, they can also experience feelings of worry, confusion, loneliness, guilt, frustration, responsibility, or grief that may go unnoticed.
Siblings frequently receive messages (spoken or unspoken) that they need to be the "easy child," the helper, or the one who can manage on their own. As a result, their own needs and experiences may be overlooked, even within loving and supportive families.
Art therapy provides siblings with a safe and developmentally appropriate way to express thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to put into words. Through creative exploration, children can process complex emotions, strengthen their sense of identity, and build coping skills while feeling seen and understood.
Art therapy can help siblings:
Express feelings such as anger, sadness, worry, jealousy, pride, or love.
Explore their identity beyond the role of "the sibling."
Develop healthy coping and emotional regulation skills.
Build self-esteem and confidence.
Process challenging family experiences in a supportive environment.
Connect with peers who have similar experiences.
Celebrate the strengths and unique perspectives that come from being a sibling.
Sessions are tailored to each child's developmental profile and may incorporate art-making, play, sensory experiences, storytelling, and relationship-based interventions informed by DIR/Floortime principles.
Kim has completed Sibshops Facilitator Training through the Sibling Support Project, an internationally recognized program designed to support brothers and sisters of individuals with disabilities and other support needs. This training provides additional insight into the unique joys, challenges, and experiences of siblings and informs both individual and group therapeutic work.
Learn more about the Sibling Support Project and Sibshops®.
Every sibling's experience is different. Some children want to talk openly about their family, while others prefer to express themselves through creativity, play, or shared experiences with peers. Whatever their story, siblings deserve a space where their feelings, questions, strengths, and challenges can be acknowledged and supported.