Expressive Art Therapy

Expressive Art Therapy is a multi-modal approach to heal; it is an adjunct I use to more traditional methods. It may include music, writing, dance, art and more.

Utilizing the arts in therapy can be a powerful (and playful) way to process, cope, and experience insight. Expressive Arts Therapy (ExAT) is an approach to therapy that utilizes any art modality or a combination of art forms—writing, visual art, dance/movement, drama/enactment, and music—often shifting from one art form to another to help clients in their process of healing, transformation, and recovery. I have three years of graduate-level training in expressive arts therapy.

As a Certified Experiential Therapist (CET1) I utilize the expressive arts as part of my practice including writing, sand tray, music, role play, and elements of drama therapy and psychodrama. The expressive arts compliments other therapeutic models and theories.

I am a certified expressive arts practitioner (CEAP) and I integrate this work both in person and in Telehealth settings in cases where it may be helpful for one to get out of their head to discover feelings that may be lingering. Expressive arts is used as an adjunct and is a multi-modal approach to healing. It may include; dance, drama, journaling, music, writing and more.

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.

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 have formal training in Expressive Art Therapy from the American Play Therapy Association.

I've always been an artist and musician, but you don't need to be to use expressive arts in therapy! My training over my career has included many professional classes, but a highlight is being a trained Remo HealthRHYTHMS Drumming Facilitator. I've used my skills in individual sessions, group therapy, and in the community in large groups.

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)

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.

Expressive arts therapy can help you get in touch with parts of yourself that aren't so easy to access in other ways, and it enables you to grow and heal without having to talk directly about issues. As a poet, storyteller, dancer, and guitarist, I can say that the arts are profoundly healing-even when you have no formal talent or training! Additionally, I completed graduate work in expressive and creative arts therapy and psychodrama.

I utilize art in many modalities as a way to help themes to emerge, to promote the subjective side of the clients that often is put aside by our rationalization. Language is not just verbal and sometimes trying to add words to our experiences is hard and may not be so accurate as we perceive. Other times, art can be an instrument of relaxation, stress relief, and relationship building.

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 completed a Certificate in Intermodal Expressive Arts with Expressive Arts Florida Institute. In addition to a Master of Social Work, I have a Master of Music. I use a multi-arts approach in individual and group therapy. This means I use visual art, music, movement, writing, and mindfulness as therapeutic tools to initiate healing and change. I am a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA).

Artistry not required! I use active imagination to explore images, symbols, and dreams. These share a common thread in containing messages from the unconscious. Psyche communicates to us in the world of symbols and images. I have specialized training in Dream Analysis, Painting Therapy, Spontaneous Drawing, and am currently enrolled in a 2-year Sandplay training working with symbolic image creation. Let’s decipher the messages from your unconscious to realize your higher Self!

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.