Art Therapy

I believe that when we are able to express ourselves creatively through art/music/dance and more, we are able to begin healing. Art can be a great tool when working with kids and teens as well as it gives us a way to connect and communicate with more than words can provide. I personally create and engage in creative activities in sessions with clients to normalize this as a tool. I have over 5 years experience using creative therapies in practice.

We specialize in clay art therapy but can incorporate other art therapies as well. Within the realm of art therapy, clay has been seen to awaken creativity, foster socialization, reduce negative mood and anxiety, and aid in healing from trauma. We partner with Chris, our life coach/therapy assistant who is also a professional ceramics artist. We incorporate the pottery wheel and hand-building exercises. No judgment here, just a space for you to be you.

Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that helps individuals through active art-making and creative processes in a psychotherapy setting. Art therapy is used to reduce conflicts and distress, improve cognitive functions, foster self-esteem, and build emotional resilience and social skills. It engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal communication, according to the association.

I am a licensed and board certified art psychotherapist. My training allows me the ability to conduct talk psychotherapy, but also allows for art therapy additions as well. Even remotely, art making can be part of our session. Some people identify art making in session as soothing, and enjoy sharing their work at the end of session. Some people enjoy working after session with a specific art intervention, to help continue processing. Art making can be a great addition to our work.

Sometimes words aren't enough to convey what you want to say. I've found art therapy to be helpful in allowing clients to express themselves in more authentic ways. Through drawing, sculpting, even playing games (such as Dungeons & Dragons) we can dive deeper past what is just said.

I generally follows a client-centered orientation, emphasizing the individual strengths & resources of each of my clients.

Art Therapy offers a unique avenue to explore and address issues that are sometimes too difficult to verbally articulate. In sessions, we will use art making as a way to explore and view challenges or issues that are impacting you. You don't need to be "artistic" or even have experience with art, to gain healing benefits of art therapy. I will guide you by providing a specific theme or a particular material, that will help us work towards your goals.

My whole life has revolved around art and the potential for creativity to heal. I have an MA in Art Therapy.

Who knew hearing or saying simply “I Got U” carried so much positive affirmation!? Such a statement has helped me overcome many personal and professional obstacles during my lifetime. I even currently say those words to myself as a form of positive self-talk from time to time. With more than 15 years of working in Behavioral Health, I created “I Got U” as a safe space to remind whomever that: I see them, I hear them, and what they say does matter.

Art therapy is the approach in which I have the most training and experience. Art therapy is a way of delivering and processing therapy within the context of creation. I studied at the Drexel Graduate Art Therapy program, and have received my Board Certification.

I am trained in Art Therapy and I am a Board-Certified, Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC). I love to integrate art into therapy sessions if a client is interested, although it is not always necessary to use art. Art can be a strong communication tool to help you understand yourself in a way that verbal language might fail. There are also many talented art therapists in my practice who are available to take new clients. I will be taking in-person Art Therapy clients in Oct 2022.

I am a trained and registered art therapist (ATR). Art therapy provides a language for insight, growth and transformation when words fail. Even if art therapy isn’t your thing (I get it!) my training and background as a visual artist makes me sensitive specific challenges faced by creative folks. I understand and treat creative blocks and teach strategies like creative hygiene and separating process and product experiences. I also use image-based tools such as metaphor and dream analysis.

You can read my blog on art therapy here! https://www.embodyandmindcollective.com/blog-posts/what-is-art-therapy-its-not-just-for-creatives-by-shaye-mueller

I am a Registered Art Therapist, with about a decade of experience using the art process to guide people toward deeper healing. Through therapeutic art-making, I guide my clients to reconnect with the essence of their soul, release old patterns that are keeping them stuck and create the life they desire.