Expressive Arts Therapist - online throughout California

What is it like to work with an Expressive Arts Therapist?

Have you ever felt like you’ve "talked something to death" but still hit a roadblock? You understand every detail of your experience and why things are the way they are, yet you know something needs to change.

Expressive arts therapy offers a valuable opportunity for non-verbal emotional processing. It involves using various creative modalities—such as drawing, poetry, collage, or movement—to support healing and growth. Whether you are an artist or not, expressive arts therapy can be beneficial for addressing a range of mental health concerns.

Benefits of Expressive Arts Therapy

  • Emotional release: The use of expressive arts can support us in expressing and processing our emotions.

  • Meaning-making: Expressive arts can help us make new meaning out of experiences.

  • Stress-reduction: The use of expressive arts has been studied and found to be an effective tool for stress reduction.

  • Enhanced coping skills: Through art-making, we can practice new and healthier ways to cope with our emotions and experiences.

muslim woman reading with a camera propped in front of her
  • Art invites us to know beauty and to solicit it, summon it, from even the most tragic of circumstances.

    Toni Morrison

  • Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time. Both can be tools for healing.

    Jean-Michel Basquiat

  • Art can heal the wounds inflicted by a system that’s designed to divide and conquer. It brings people back to their own humanity.

    Kerry James Marshall

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • You do not need to be an artist; you only need yourself and a few materials. I always check in before recommending the use of the arts, but I encourage clients to be open to the process. For example, you may write a poem in a session expressing your feelings. Sounds cool, huh?

  • Not necessarily. I try to offer creative interventions using simple materials you already possess, like paper and pen or just your computer. If I have an exercise that involves more materials I will let you know in advance, what to bring for the next session. A good starter kit would include a blank journal, markers, scissors, glue, and magazines.

  • I prefer to start with weekly sessions until we have reached the maintenance phase of therapy. Then, when clients feel ready, we discuss the option of biweekly sessions.

Want to learn more about expressive arts counseling? Book a free 20-minute consult.

Free Art Journaling Doc

Unlock your creativity and explore your emotions with our free art journaling guide, designed to help utilize expressive therapies meaningfully. Whether you are new to journaling or a seasoned artist, this resource offers prompts and techniques to deepen your self-reflection and healing journey. Download it today and start transforming your thoughts and feelings into powerful visual art.

art supplies laid on a table of an expressive arts therapist

Online therapy is offered throughout California. Specializing in individual therapy for people of color and pregnancy and postpartum mental health.