The back-to-school season is more than just new pencils, fresh notebooks, and crisp fall mornings—it’s also a time of transition that can bring excitement, uncertainty, and anxiety for kids and teens alike. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or heading back to high school, changes in routine, social pressures, and academic expectations can affect their mental health.

As a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, my work centers on helping clients reconnect with themselves through creativity, compassion, and curiosity. One of the most powerful frameworks I integrate into therapy is HAES: Health at Every Size. HAES offers an affirming, evidence-based alternative to weight-centric health models—and in the therapy room, it becomes a liberatory tool for reclaiming body trust and emotional safety.

Pride, Identity, and Healing: Using Expressive Art Therapy to Support LGBTQIA+ Mental Health

Unlocking Self-Expression Through Art: How Creative Therapy Helps You Heal

Journaling with Art: A Step-by-Step Guide to Visual Self-Discovery

The Power of Play: How Expressive Art Therapy Benefits Children and Adults