Deborah J Adler (She/her)

Using modalities such as painting or drawing can promote symbolic and/or meditative tools that ease depression and provide safe ways to copy with the pain and stigmas attached to it . It allows the individual to let go, lessen his or her defenses and open up to discussing and dealing with their depression. One does not need any art experience to participate in this experience

I offer many helpful methods to cope with one's anxiety that can be productive, yet relaxing, distracting and even playful to their thought processes and overall spirit. My approach is extremely non-threatening and I aim to allow clients to feel comfortable and safe to deal with their most anxious feelings that can be embarrassing and vulnerable. Tools such as visual imagery, meditation, writing exercises and art are all wonderful modalities that allows a client to face his or her anxieties.

I often take an out of the box approach incorporating art, media and play when working with clients with ADHD. These methods are not only self-regulating tools that provides enormous evidence for increased self-empowerment, sense of control and focus. A child might create a mask expressing an aspect of him/herself and then act out a dialogue expressing another part of him/herself in a dramatic way. This offers a safe tool for expressing self and offers a physical release of energy.

The Sandtray translates personal experiences into a concrete, three dimensional form. Through the use of figures and objects, whether they take humanistic, animalistic or some imaginative form, one can accurately represent aspects of their lives in such a clear, expressive and symbolic manner without using words which might be difficult or painful to share. A client also has the unique opportunity to physically and organically work out such emotions through the natural qualities of the sand.

With enormous empathy and compassion, I really emphasize the importance of becoming your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. With a positive psychology approach, I guide my clients to creating their own unique goals and objectives. I aim for them to become more self-aware and to accept themselves where they are at in their lives, but to strive high in order to become their best self.

When individuals are faced with various challenges in their lives it can be difficult to express their feelings verbally. Art Therapy aims to help those individuals to explore their emotions and feelings in a safe, playful and non-threatening manner.Art making process can be a more powerful form of communication than just words alone. The process of art making is therapeutic in an of itself, but exploring the art verbally allows one to put meaning and understanding in a deeper way