Using Expressive Arts to Help Anxious Kids with Dr. Roxanne Deleo

Dawn Friedman MSEd interviews Dr. Roxanne Daleo, an expressive arts and somatic therapist who works with kids and families. Daleo describes her early work with hospitalized and terminally ill children and how training at Harvard, including Dr. Herbert Benson’s relaxation-response research, shaped her focus on the mind-body connection and breath. She explains expressive arts therapy as a nonverbal, right-hemisphere approach using music, rhythm, imagery, drawing, painting, and other art forms, emphasizing process over product and why it can fit children who resist talk therapy. Daleo discusses somatic principles, psychoneuroimmunology, and examples from hospital settings where imagery and art supported calming and healing. She shares practical techniques for parents, guided imagery storytelling, resources on her website, and a free “Head and Heart Anxiety Reset” call.00:00 Introduction02:21 Roxanne's Origin Story05:28 What Are the Expressive Arts?07:37 Why Expressive Arts Over Talk Therapy for Kids08:20 Somatic Work & the Mind-Body Connection28:26 Working with Perfectionist Kids31:53 Storytelling & Guided Imagery40:42 Breathing & the Holistic Approach44:58 Resources & How to Connect with Dr. RoxanneDownload Dr. Daleo's story, The Magic Seed: Courage as an mp3:http://drroxannedaleo.com/roxanne_daleo_magic_seed_1.mp3Her website is at: http://drroxannedaleo.comMentioned in this episode:🌟 READY TO FIND YOUR ROOM TO BREATHE?Parenting has never been more challenging especially for empathetic parents of sensitive kids. TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice is a weekly, guided practice that gives quiet, calm, reflective space for you to connect with your wisdom and intuition. For July, we're writing about and exploring the topic of ANGER -- ours, our own, and what we are trying to understand about it. 🧡 This is not a list of things you’re doing wrong. 🧡 This is not advice. 🧡 This is a place to remember what you already know. Learn more and get a free session by going to OpenBookParenting.com