Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that combines creative expression with therapeutic support. It’s not about making “good” art- rather, it’s a safe way to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Research shows that engaging in art-making in a therapeutic context can enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and support emotional processing (Malchiodi, 2020).

Art therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy. Like other therapists, I’m trained in counseling theories, clinical skills, and assessments. However, I hold two licenses and completed graduate-level training in both counseling and art therapy. This means I not only learned the foundations of talk therapy, but I also had an additional focus on creative and art-based approaches—including separate and additive courses in art therapy assessments, art therapy theories, and even an art therapy practicum

In practice, this gives clients more options. Some sessions may look very similar to traditional talk therapy, while others incorporate creative expression to help explore feelings, regulate stress, or gain new insights. Art therapy isn’t “less” than talk therapy—it’s counseling plus an additional dimension of creative tools and approaches with decades of evidence that demonstrates their efficacy for supporting healing and growth.

Absolutely not! For most clients, art therapy emphasizes process over product. Even simple marks, colors, or shapes can be meaningful. Many clients find that simply engaging with materials- even without prior art experience- can spark insight, release tension, and provide a sense of flow (American Art Therapy Association, 2023).

Sessions usually start with a brief check-in, then move into art-making using materials you feel drawn to or that are recommended based on your therapy goals. Afterward, we reflect together on the experience, exploring insights, feelings, or patterns that emerge. Sessions are flexible- you may talk more some weeks and make more art in others. Some clients like to talk while creating, while others prefer listening to music or focusing quietly. While you work, I’m actively engaged- observing your process, supporting you with materials, or working alongside you. I don’t just watch; I participate in ways that feel helpful and collaborative.

This is very common! You don’t need to know what to create. I’ll provide gentle prompts, or you can explore materials freely. The studio has everything from fibers and printmaking tools, to drawing and painting materials, to beads and clay. Often, simply starting is enough to unlock expression and insight.

All of the art directives I offer are tailored to your goals. For example, if you’re working on reducing stress, we may focus on sensory materials that help regulate the nervous system. If family dynamics are a focus, we might explore these relationships through a kinetic family drawing or genogram to understand different perspectives.

Some pieces will be worked on over time, week to week, while others may be one-time pieces. Your work is yours to take home, trash, or leave with me for safe keeping. And every client receives a sketchbook in their first session to capture some of the work we do, along with any ideas or reflections that arise between sessions.

For most clients, art therapy is not about technique or developing art skills. The art work serves as stimulus to explore emotions, process experiences, and foster self-understanding. The focus is on your inner experience, not the artistic merit, quality, or commercial appeal of the final product.

Yes! In fact, online art therapy works well. Clients can use materials they have at home while still engaging in structured therapeutic work. Research indicates telehealth art therapy can be effective for emotional support and skill-building (King et al., 2021).

No! While art-making is central to the process, you may choose to focus more on talking during some sessions. The time is yours! I remain flexible and will always tailor our work to what feels most supportive for you.

Art therapy offers a unique way to work through overwhelm. Making art can activate non-verbal pathways for processing emotions, reduce physiological stress, and help you reconnect with your own creativity and resilience (Kaimal et al., 2016). Whether you’re experiencing burnout, life transitions, or a creative block, the process itself can be restorative.

Yes! Studies have shown that art therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions (Uttley et al., 2015). By integrating creativity with humanistic and evidence-based approaches, I help clients explore emotions safely, regulate stress, and develop coping strategies tailored to their needs.