Rooted and Resilient

Art Therapy and Counseling

Close-up of layered, colorful stone formations with shades of white, pink, red, and yellow, showcasing intricate patterns and textures.

What is Art Therapy?

A spiral collage made from watercolor paper, featuring various painted floral and abstract shapes with the phrase "OOPS, all feelings!" written in red at the bottom right corner.
A collage of a butterfly made from cut-out watercolor paper pieces with the words 'your inner child is rooting for you' written in blue on separate paper cutouts.

Art is used as a medium to help us process and explore feelings and experiences. Sometimes we don't have the words to express what we are going through, and art allows us an alternate way to communicate. We may use it to dive deeper into a theme or to enhance self exploration.

Creative expression can raise serotonin levels. This can positively impact stres responses, sleep, improve mood and overall wellbeing, and reduce anxiety and depression. Art boosts cognitive ability by impacting emotions and the nervous system.

Art therapy is not about making fine art or something that is aesthetically pleasing. Anyone can participate in art therapy even if they don’t have current art skills. It is about the process and not the product.

Art therapy is beneficial for those who experience anxiety or the effects of trauma. Many of my clients come to therapy looking for solutions and believe they will feel better once they "fix" their problems. They often begin to realize that what they need is to slow down and take time to learn how to listen to their bodies. Unlearning takes time and a lot of self compassion! Using art, I may encourage you to practice this by beginning to allow yourself to focus on the present moment, utilizing mindfulness techniques while challenging tendencies to intellectualize, ruminate, and overthink. Together, we can make a shift of getting out of your mind and into your body!

I believe in the healing power of art, and I support this process for all individuals regardless of experience level. We are all artists, and I help to minimize any intimidation that may occur during the art-making process. Utilizing art therapy techniques that are tailored to your specific needs, we can begin to heal and restore through self-expression and exploration.