How Technology Is Affecting Children’s Brains — and Why Therapies That Engage the Body and Creativity Are More Important Than Ever

How Technology Is Affecting Children’s Brains — and Why Therapies That Engage the Body and Creativity Are More Important Than Ever

In just one generation, childhood has changed dramatically. Tablets, smartphones, and digital media are now part of daily life for many children. While technology can provide learning opportunities, increasing research suggests that excessive screen exposure may influence how children’s brains develop, particularly in areas related to speech, attention, motor coordination, and social connection.

Across schools and therapy practices, clinicians are noticing a pattern: more children needing support for speech delays, motor coordination challenges, attention difficulties, and social skills development.

Understanding why this is happening—and how to support children effectively—has become an important conversation for parents, educators, and therapists.

The Growing Concern: Technology and Developing Brains

Early childhood is a time when the brain builds critical neural connections through movement, play, face-to-face interaction, and sensory exploration. When a large portion of a child’s time is spent with passive screen engagement instead of real-world interaction, some of these developmental experiences can be reduced.

Research has begun to document these trends.

A large study published in JAMA Pediatrics (2019) found that higher screen time in young children was associated with lower performance on language and cognitive development tests. Researchers also observed differences in brain white matter integrity in children who had significantly higher screen exposure.

Another study in Pediatrics (2017) found that children who used mobile devices earlier and for longer periods were more likely to experience expressive speech delays.

Additional research has linked increased screen exposure to:

• Reduced attention span
• Delays in language development
• Decreased fine and gross motor skill practice
• Fewer opportunities for social interaction and emotional regulation

While technology itself is not inherently harmful, imbalanced use during key developmental periods may impact how certain brain systems develop.

What Therapists and Teachers Are Seeing

Many clinicians working with children are reporting increased referrals for support in areas such as:

Speech and language development

Children may struggle with expressive language, articulation, or conversational flow when face-to-face interaction has been limited.

Motor coordination

Developing balance, coordination, and fine motor skills requires physical play. When movement is replaced by sedentary screen use, opportunities for developing these neural pathways decrease.

Attention and self-regulation

Fast-paced digital media can overstimulate the brain’s reward system, making it harder for some children to sustain attention in slower-paced environments like classrooms.

Social connection

Children learn empathy, emotional regulation, and communication through real interaction. Screens cannot fully replicate those relational experiences.

Why ADHD Symptoms Are Increasingly Being Discussed

Many parents are concerned about rising diagnoses or symptoms related to attention difficulties and ADHD.

While ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multiple contributing factors, some researchers suggest that modern environmental influences—including rapid digital stimulation and reduced physical play—may exacerbate attention challenges in certain children.

A 2022 review published in Frontiers in Psychology found associations between excessive screen use and higher levels of attention problems in children.

This does not mean technology causes ADHD. However, it may intensify difficulties with focus, impulse control, and regulation in children who are already vulnerable.

The Solution: Therapies That Reconnect the Brain, Body, and Creativity

Fortunately, there are effective therapeutic approaches that help children strengthen the very skills that may be impacted by excessive screen exposure.

Two particularly powerful approaches are movement-based therapy and creative arts therapy.

These therapies work by engaging the brain in multi-sensory, relational, and embodied experiences—exactly the types of experiences children’s nervous systems need to develop.

Movement Therapy: Supporting the Brain Through the Body

Movement is one of the brain’s primary organizing forces.

Dance/Movement Therapy and somatic approaches help children:

• improve body awareness and coordination
• strengthen attention and impulse control
• regulate emotions through physical expression
• develop sensory integration
• build confidence and self-expression

A growing body of research supports these benefits.

A systematic review in The Arts in Psychotherapy (2019) found that dance and movement therapy interventions improved emotional regulation, attention, and social functioning in children.

Movement also stimulates areas of the brain responsible for executive functioning, which includes focus, planning, and self-regulation—skills often challenging for children with ADHD symptoms.

Creative Arts Therapy: Building Expression and Social Skills

Creative arts therapy includes modalities such as:

• visual art
• storytelling
• music
• dramatic play
• expressive arts integration

These approaches help children communicate emotions and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2021) showed that arts-based therapeutic interventions improved emotional expression, resilience, and social connection in children and adolescents.

Creative expression activates multiple brain regions simultaneously—supporting language development, emotional processing, and cognitive flexibility.

Why These Therapies Are Especially Helpful for ADHD Symptoms

Children experiencing attention challenges often benefit from therapies that:

• involve active engagement rather than passive listening
• allow movement and creativity
• strengthen self-regulation skills

Movement and expressive arts therapies provide structured yet flexible environments where children can practice these skills in a supportive way.

Rather than asking children to simply “sit still and focus,” these approaches work with the child’s natural developmental systems.

Virtual Therapy for Children: A Flexible Option for Families

Many parents are surprised to learn that movement and creative arts therapies can also be highly effective in virtual sessions.

When guided by a trained therapist, virtual sessions can include:

• movement exercises
• expressive art activities
• emotional regulation practices
• imaginative storytelling
• parent coaching for home support

Research on telehealth therapy has expanded rapidly in recent years. A 2021 review in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that virtual mental health interventions for children can be effective and accessible, especially when interactive approaches are used.

Virtual therapy also allows families to access specialized therapists regardless of location.

Helping Children Thrive in a Digital World

Technology is here to stay, and it offers many benefits. The goal is not to eliminate it—but to ensure children also experience the developmental building blocks their brains need:

• movement
• creativity
• play
• social connection
• emotional expression

Therapies that integrate the body, creativity, and relationship help children strengthen these capacities and build resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Therapy Support for Children and Families

I offer virtual therapy for children and adolescents using movement-based and creative arts therapy approaches. These sessions support:

• attention and regulation challenges
• ADHD symptoms
• emotional expression
• social skill development
• body awareness and confidence

Working creatively allows children to engage in therapy in ways that feel natural, playful, and empowering.

If you’re curious about whether this approach may support your child, you’re welcome to reach out to learn more.

Virtual Therapy for Anxiety, Depression & Trauma in New York

Integrative Psychotherapy with Somatic and Creative Arts Approaches

In New York’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to appear calm and capable while quietly struggling inside.

You might carry anxiety that won’t settle, exhaustion that lingers, or a feeling of disconnection that words alone can’t quite reach.

At Balanced Life Movement, we understand that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. The body, mind, and emotions are deeply intertwined—and when one is out of balance, everything feels off.

Our small, specialized team of licensed Creative Arts Therapists offers Integrative Psychotherapy, blending talk therapy with body-based and creative methods like Somatic Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Art Therapy, IFS-informed techniques, and EMDR (when appropriate) to help you find genuine, lasting relief.

We offer virtual therapy across New York State and Massachusetts, combining science, creativity, and compassion for adults, families, and professionals seeking more than traditional talk therapy.

Our Team

We are a team of three therapists who share a commitment to embodied, creative, and evidence-based healing—each offering a distinct specialty within our integrative model:

Jennifer Giuglianotti, MS, BC-DMT, LCAT — Founder & Clinical Director

Jennifer specializes in somatic and creative arts therapy for chronic illness, complex trauma, and long-term stress.

Her approach integrates Dance/Movement Therapy (a recognized form of both Creative Arts Therapy and Somatic Psychotherapy) with IFS-informed dialogue, nervous-system regulation, and EMDR for trauma reprocessing.

Jennifer helps clients develop embodied resilience—especially those navigating burnout, medical trauma, or chronic pain.

Joy Ruben Welts, BC-DMT, LCAT, LMHC (PhD Candidate)

Joy supports adults navigating trauma, mood disorders, and emotional dysregulation through an expressive, relational, and mindfulness-based lens.

As both a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Joy brings depth, creativity, and clinical expertise to her work.

Her research-informed practice draws from Dance/Movement Therapy, Expressive Arts, and humanistic psychology, helping clients integrate emotional experience through creativity, presence, and embodied awareness.

Vanessa Zocchia, LCAT, R-DMT

Vanessa specializes in supporting women, children, and families through life’s transitions. Her work focuses on movement and creative expression as powerful tools for emotional regulation and connection. She has completed advanced continuing education in perinatal mental health, family adjustment, infertility challenges, and the transition into motherhood, helping mothers and caregivers find balance, confidence, and self-compassion through embodied therapy.

Together, we offer Integrative Psychotherapy that honors both the science and artistry of healing.

What Is Integrative Psychotherapy?

Integrative Psychotherapy brings together the most effective elements of diverse therapeutic approaches to meet each client’s needs.

At Balanced Life Movement, this means combining:

Somatic Therapy for nervous system regulation and embodiment

Dance/Movement and Creative Arts Therapy for emotional expression and creativity

IFS-informed parts work for self-understanding and inner alignment

EMDR (offered by Jennifer) for trauma reprocessing and relief

Mindfulness and relational awareness to foster grounded, lasting change

Our goal is to help clients not only understand their struggles but also feel the shift—in their bodies, relationships, and daily lives.

Why It Works

Research from trauma and neuroscience pioneers such as Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) and Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) underscores that healing must involve the body, not just the mind.

By combining somatic awareness, creative expression, and evidence-based psychotherapy, our clients learn to:

Regulate anxiety and stress

Reconnect with emotion and authenticity

Release tension and patterns of overwhelm

Cultivate resilience, creativity, and clarity

Over time, therapy moves from symptom management to embodied transformation.

Who We Help

Our practice serves adults, professionals, and families across New York State who are seeking integrative and personalized care.

We specialize in:

Anxiety and chronic stress

Depression and burnout

Trauma and PTSD

Chronic illness and mind-body symptoms

Parenting, grief, and life transitions

Our team tailors each treatment plan to your unique story, goals, and readiness for change.

What to Expect

Therapy sessions are conducted virtually, offering accessibility and flexibility.

Each session integrates talk therapy with somatic awareness, movement, and expressive tools—meeting you where you are each week.

At Balanced Life Movement, we offer:

Virtual sessions statewide (NY & MA)

Quick scheduling with current openings

Sliding-scale rates for accessibility

Specialized, evidence-based care for trauma, anxiety, and emotional health

Begin Your Healing Journey

If you’ve been searching for therapy for anxiety and depression in New York, trauma therapy near me, or virtual therapy that integrates body and mind, we’re here to help.

Balanced Life Movement offers an approach to therapy that’s grounded in science and elevated by creativity.

Together, we’ll help you release what’s been held, restore balance, and reconnect with your most authentic self.

Your body already holds the wisdom to heal. Therapy simply helps you listen.

What Is Somatic Therapy? A Guide to Body-Based Healing

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from your body after a traumatic experience or long-term stress, you’re not alone. Somatic therapy offers a way to reconnect with your body and regulate your nervous system using more than just words.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to psychotherapy that integrates awareness of bodily sensations, breath, posture, movement, and nervous system responses into the therapeutic process. The premise is simple but powerful: the body stores unprocessed emotions and trauma. Healing must involve the body—not just the mind.

This modality draws from a variety of practices, including Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Dance/Movement Therapy. Therapists use techniques such as grounding, body tracking, movement, and guided breathing to help clients notice and release chronic tension, emotional blocks, or dissociation.

Why the Body Matters in Healing

When we experience stress or trauma, our body often reacts by activating a survival response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. These responses are automatic and can become chronic, leaving us feeling anxious, disconnected, or hypervigilant.

According to research by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score, trauma is not just remembered cognitively—it is held somatically. This is why talk therapy alone may not resolve the lingering symptoms of trauma. Somatic therapy helps release that stuck energy and restores regulation to the nervous system.

What Does a Somatic Therapy Session Look Like?

Each session is unique and responsive to the client’s needs. Somatic therapy at our practice is still psychotherapy; We will talk and utilize various techniques. The somatic element of the session may include:

• Grounding exercises to bring awareness to the present moment

• Tracking internal sensations with curiosity and compassion

• Mindful movement or stretching

• Breathwork to regulate physiological arousal

• Gentle touch or gesture work (when appropriate and agreed upon)

• Creative expression through drawing, sound, or dance

Who Benefits from Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is effective for a range of mental health concerns, including:

• PTSD and trauma

• Depression

• Bipolar Disorder

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Chronic stress and burnout

• Depression and mood disorders

• Chronic pain and illness

• Attachment wounds and relational issues

• Dissociation or numbness

It can also be a powerful modality for individuals who have tried talk therapy but still feel stuck or disconnected.

Evidence Supporting Somatic Therapy

Clinical studies have shown that somatic-based interventions lead to reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that somatic experiencing significantly reduced post-traumatic symptoms and improved well-being. Trauma-healing includes nervous system regulation, reduces anxiety in the body and mind, and helps one find a sense of felt safety and empowerment.

Dance/Movement Therapy—one of the foundational practices of our team—has been linked to improved emotion regulation and lowered cortisol levels. The body-based approach offers an integrative path to healing that complements both traditional and alternative therapies.

Why We Offer Somatic Therapy at Balanced Life Movement

At Balanced Life Movement, our therapists are all Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapists—the highest credentialing in this field. This certification reflects years of post-master’s training, supervised clinical work, and rigorous professional standards. We bring this advanced level of expertise to every session we offer.

Our therapists are trained in evidence-based somatic practices that center safety, attunement, and embodiment. We believe healing happens when your body and mind are in conversation—not when one is ignored.

Our approach integrates somatic therapy with creative arts, trauma-informed care, and holistic techniques that help clients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their healing journey.

Curious About Somatic Therapy?

We’re here to offer information, not pressure. Whether you’re just learning about this work or are ready to explore it firsthand, you’re welcome to reach out or read more about our approach. The body holds deep wisdom. We’re here to help you listen.

🔗 Learn more at: www.balancedlifemovement.com
📩 Contact us with questions or to connect with a therapist who is the right fit for you.

Schedule a phone consultation to discuss to your needs.

How Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapy Help You Get Unstuck

Have you ever felt stuck—repeating the same emotional patterns despite your best efforts? This feeling can often trace back to how we were taught to respond to our emotions in childhood. If, growing up, we learned that it wasn't safe to express emotions like fear, anger, or the need to say "no," we may have developed stories to mask those feelings. Over time, these stories evolve into core beliefs like “I’m not enough,” “I’m too sensitive,” or “I’m unlovable.” These deep-seated beliefs often seep into every aspect of our lives—our work, relationships, and even our health.

The result? Unexplained physical symptoms, chronic stress, new diagnoses, or autoimmune disorders. You may have tried traditional talk therapy, cognitive tools, and even medical treatment, yet nothing seems to truly ease or heal your symptoms.

Trauma is Stored in the Body, Not Just the Mind

What many people don’t realize is that trauma and stress are stored in the body, not just in the mind. This is where somatic therapy comes in. Somatic therapy addresses the body’s response to trauma by gently helping you complete what was left unresolved. For example, it may help you tap into the instinctive responses—like anger, the need to run, or the need to say "no"—that were suppressed long ago.

Somatic therapy allows you to feel these emotions and bodily responses safely and gradually, helping you release them. In doing so, you stop feeling like you need to constantly protect yourself and can finally feel at ease in your own body.

The Science Behind Somatic Therapy and Nervous System Regulation

At the heart of somatic therapy is the regulation of the nervous system. When we experience stress or trauma, our nervous system often gets "stuck" in a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. This is the body’s natural way of protecting us, but when we aren’t able to fully process these responses, they can get trapped in the body and lead to chronic stress or trauma responses that persist long after the event has passed.

Somatic therapy is designed to help restore balance by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for calming and restoring the body after stress. When we can move from a state of hyperarousal (fight/flight) or hypoarousal (freeze) into a more regulated state, our body has the chance to heal.

Research in neurobiology, particularly the work of Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, supports the idea that the vagus nerve plays a key role in nervous system regulation. Somatic therapy works with the body to activate the vagus nerve, allowing us to move out of survival mode and into a state of safety and connection. Techniques like mindful body awareness, breathwork, and gentle movement help signal to the brain and body that it's safe to release stored stress and trauma.

When you engage in somatic therapy, your therapist helps you tune into these bodily sensations and complete the natural stress response cycle, shifting your nervous system into a state of rest and recovery. This process rewires how the body handles future stressors, creating long-term benefits for both mental and physical health.

What is Dance/Movement Therapy?

Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a unique and effective form of somatic therapy. It's built on the principle that our bodies hold memories, emotions, and trauma. By using movement as a form of expression, you can connect with parts of yourself that words alone cannot access. Sometimes, our bodies know how to express things that our minds haven’t fully processed yet.

DMT encourages you to use movement—whether subtle or more expressive—to explore these stored feelings and release them. The beauty of this approach is that it’s not just about talking through trauma but about physically moving through it.

Even if you're not a dancer, you can benefit from Dance/Movement Therapy. The therapy is accessible to everyone, no matter your level of movement experience. Small, mindful movements can unlock big emotional shifts, allowing you to break through the emotional blocks that have held you back.

How Somatic Therapy and DMT Work Together

By combining somatic therapy with Dance/Movement Therapy, we create a holistic approach to healing. Our Trauma Certified Somatic Therapists integrate dialogue, connection, and body-based techniques to help shift your nervous system from a state of constant protection to one of safety and vitality.

Movement, when used therapeutically, allows your body to express and release emotions that were previously stuck. This helps you regain a sense of control, freedom, and connection to your body.

The Benefits of Nervous System Regulation Through Somatic Therapy

Nervous system dysregulation is linked to a range of health issues, including anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, chronic pain, and autoimmune conditions. By helping your body regulate its stress response, somatic therapy offers benefits like:

- Reduced anxiety and stress

- Improved emotional regulation

- Enhanced resilience to future stressors

- Greater connection to your body

- Relief from chronic pain and other somatic symptoms

- Improved relationships and communication

- A greater sense of safety, calm, and vitality in your daily life

When we help the nervous system shift out of survival mode, we open the door for healing on a deep and profound level.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to release the emotional and physical weight that’s been holding you back, Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapy may be the key to unlocking deep, lasting healing. Our team is here to guide you gently through the process, helping you restore balance and vitality in your life.

Book a free consultation with one of our Trauma Certified Somatic Therapists today and begin your journey toward true healing.

Exploring the Mind Body Connection

Mind-Body Therapies work on our subconscious emotional process and activate the innate resources that are used to restore harmony and health.

It is essential to be “mindful of the body” in therapy:

Over 80% of the way we communicate with ourselves and others is nonverbal. Why limit our ability to heal anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, for example, if we can heal both body and mind?

The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.

How the mind-body connection works:

• Neuroplasticity: The brain (structure, activation, neuronal connection, thought, and emotion) literally changes when we move our bodies

• Neurogenesis: Building new neurons and discarding old one —> Maladaptive habits/patterns become new practices of self-love and acceptance

• Attention & Focus: Attending with interest and energy —> Here is where “mirror neurons” spark transformation in DMT sessions (More on this in my next blog)

• Clarification of Emotions: Buried emotions or disassociation can be uncovered and processes through movement and creativity. Brain imaging shows us that each emotion fires in a different part of the brain: Using movement and mindfulness interventions are away of transforming emotions felt in the body and in our patterns of thinking.

• The Power of Positivity: Focusing on strengths overcomes negativity. Movement in therapy or coaching practices, is a direct way to ignite the hormones and neurons responsible for happiness, clarity, and a sense of well-being. Through the lens of authenticity and then, positivity we overcome negative loops to strengthen self-esteem and confidence.

“The mind and emotions are viewed as influencing the body, as the body, in turn, influences the mind and emotions” (Selhub, 2007).

Studies have shown that mind-body skills programs are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression long after the programs ends! Effective programs include:

• Meditation

• Guided imagery

• Breathing techniques

• Autogenic Training

• Biofeedback

• Genograms

• Self-Expression through movement and drawing

This article has been adapted from the VISTAS Project by the American Counseling Association with focus on applications to a Dance/Movement Therapy methodolody (VISTAS PROJECT, Lemon & Wagner, Article 55, 2013)

For more information about Body-Mind Connections programs available to you, reach out to Jennifer Giuglianotti, MS, BC-DMT, LCAT at tapjeng@gmail.com