Expressive Art Therapy

I utilize Expressive Arts Therapy to aid clients in identity exploration, emotional processing, and creativity building. Incorporating drawing, painting, sculpture, and writing into the therapeutic process can help folks discuss things they may not have the words to express.

As a creative person, I enjoy incorporating expressive arts into my practice with interested clients; including drawing, doodling, collage, journaling, or writing exercises. As an eco-therapist, I encourage clients to observe and integrate natural materials and objects into their lives and use them in creative ways. As a trained MSBR provider, I may include mindfulness and visualization into creative sessions.

Over 20 years of practice developing and implementing expressive arts therapy programs and activities with children, adolescents, and adults. Systems aware and trauma-informed care that is scientifically proven to relieve feelings.

I'm trained in an expressive art technique called the Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI). Check out their website (https://www.maricreativeresources.com/) for more information. Without giving too much away, sometimes our art is trying to express the same thing we want to with words, and we're having a hard time making them meet in the middle.

Some think that Expressive Arts are only for "Artsy" people or children but this couldn't be further from the truth! In my work with adults (engineers, priests, musicians, data analysts, and more) expressive arts approaches like sand tray therapy techniques, collage, painting, drawing, and more have helped people have epiphanies that they never experienced in traditional talk therapy (which is great btw!). By exploring the mind in a different way, we can unlock things hidden from ourselves!

As an artist myself combined with my undergraduate concentration in the psychology of art and artists, I recognize art as being a powerful tool for positive mental health changes. I enjoy the process of exploring and discovering artistic voices and how to tell your story through expression.

Working with adults, children, and young adults, one of my goals is to harness the power stored in creative expression. Many feel that Art Therapy is for children or teens, or certainly for artists. Jungian therapy uses the arts as a portal to express the higher Self, which includes the desires of the unconscious. In this manner, exploring images or music from dreams, or any images that arise while we talk, is therapeutic in connecting you to your soul’s longings!

I enjoy utilizing sand tray and expressive art therapy to help both children and adults alike express what they often cannot articulate. When we tap into our creative mind, we can often go deeper into the work we are doing than through conversation alone.

In addition to traditional art therapy, I also use other forms of expressive therapies including narrative, geek therapy, comic therapy, and use gamification to help clients achieve their goals.

Further, I often use the expressive arts in my practice with clients particularly bibliotherapy. Clients have also found the use of sand play to be helpful at understanding patterns and increasing resiliency. I value authenticity, integrity, and transparency. You are invited to show up as your full self, authentically, unapologetically, and without hesitation. We ground in mutual practices of affirmation. I expect integrity and offer that to you without reservation. The only way to grow is by

As a trained drama therapist, I have experience using other modalities that fall under the expressive art umbrella including, primarily, art therapy. My training positions me to use creative thinking to tailor any mode of artistic expression to fit therapeutic goals. So whatever you feel competent and confident in, be it visual art, music, theatre, or anything like cooking or crafting, we will be able to utilize it as a strength and go from there.

Certified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)

I received my masters in counseling psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), where I concentrated in expressive arts therapy. I find ways to gently and accessibly invite clients across all experience and comfort levels to engage with creativity, if they desire.

While I work remotely I do a great deal of art therapy with clients who are interested. I send materials to clients homes, as well as do art therapy with material individuals have at home.

I like incorporating art, music, and writing into therapy in the ways that my clients enjoy.

Think of me as your personal guide in finding your inner creative muse. We use the process of art makings and markings to explore and provide outlets for what gets trapped inside, smothered and stepped on. I want to help you tap into flexing, stretching, and growing these expressive muscles. You need no special skills to engage in this process, you have them already.

Art is a way to express your inner self without the limitations of words. Colors, sounds, flavors, and all other sensory experiences are information that can be communicated through various mediums of art. Art leads to connection where there may be isolation. In all shapes and forms, connection and communication is the purpose of art, and connection and communication are the foundations of healing. No level of artistic ability required

Having performed nationally on stage, radio, and television, I am a spoken word artist and community organizer of an open mic series in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. I have utilized elements of expressive art therapy with youth, adults, and families. With the understanding that wellness is holistic and the arts are healing, I believe in the therapeutic elements of self-expression for personal growth and greater social change.

Certified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)