You don't have to be good at art to get something out of it.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY · WALTHAM, MA
Creative, affirming therapy that goes beyond words. Explore your emotions,
identity, and experiences through art, movement, music, and more.
Sometimes words aren't enough.
Maybe you know exactly how you feel but can't quite explain it. Maybe you've spent so much time overthinking that talking about your feelings just leads to more thinking.
Expressive arts therapy offers another way in. By incorporating creativity into the therapeutic process, we can explore experiences, recognize patterns, and express things that might be difficult to put into words.
It's not about making something beautiful. It's about making space for what's happening inside.
WHAT IS EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY?
Expressive arts therapy integrates different creative forms into psychotherapy, including visual art, music, movement, drama, storytelling, and writing.
Visual Art
Drawing, painting, collage
Music & Sound
Rhythm, playlists, reflection
Movement
Body awareness, expression
Drama & Play
Role-play, storytelling
Writing
Journaling, poetry, narratives
Mixed Media
Combining creative approaches
WHO IT'S FOR
Creativity is for everyone.
Expressive arts therapy can be incorporated into work with children, teens, young adults, and adults. It can be especially helpful when traditional conversation feels limiting or when you want another way to explore what's happening in your life.
Anxiety & overthinking, Identity & self-discovery, Perfectionism & self-criticism, Emotional expression, Life transitions, Relationships & boundaries
MY APPROACH
You lead. We create together.
As a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), I incorporate creative approaches into psychotherapy in ways that feel relevant, collaborative, and accessible.
Some sessions involve art. Others are entirely conversation-based. You get to decide what feels comfortable, and we can always adjust along the way.
There is no such thing as being bad at therapy art.
You Might be wondering…
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Absolutely not! You don't need to know how to draw, paint, dance, or do anything remotely artistic to benefit from expressive arts therapy.
This isn't an art class, and we're not trying to create something worthy of a museum. Expressive arts therapy is about the process of creating, exploring, and expressing yourself, not the finished product.
Stick figures, scribbles, and abstract blobs are all welcome here. There's no right or wrong way to create.
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Nope! Creativity is an option, not an obligation.
Some sessions might involve drawing, collage, music, movement, or storytelling. Others might look like traditional talk therapy. Sometimes we start with a conversation and naturally move into something creative, and sometimes we do the opposite.
We'll decide together what feels helpful based on your goals, interests, and what you're bringing into the room that day.
You never have to make art just because you're seeing an expressive arts therapist.
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Not even a little bit! While creative approaches are often associated with children, expressive arts therapy can be meaningful at any age.
For teens and adults, creativity can offer new ways to explore identity, relationships, anxiety, perfectionism, boundaries, and experiences that might be difficult to put into words.
In fact, some of the most meaningful creative work happens when adults give themselves permission to play, experiment, and make something without worrying about getting it right.
Creativity doesn't have an age limit.
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Yes! Expressive arts therapy can absolutely be incorporated into virtual sessions.
Depending on your interests and what materials you have available, we might use drawing, journaling, music, movement, storytelling, or digital creative activities.
You don't need a fully stocked art studio at home. A piece of paper and something to write with can be more than enough.
I offer virtual therapy for clients located in Massachusetts and Wisconsin, as well as in-person sessions in Waltham, Massachusetts. We'll work together to determine which format is the best fit for your needs.
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Perfect. You don't have to!
You won't be expected to walk into therapy with an idea, a creative vision, or even a clue about where to start.
I can offer prompts, activities, and gentle guidance based on what we're exploring together. Sometimes we start with a feeling, a color, a word, or even a random scribble and see where it takes us.
And if an activity doesn't resonate with you? We can change it.
The goal isn't to know what you're doing. It's to give yourself permission to explore.
You don't need the right words. Or the right colors. Or a plan.
Just a willingness to explore. We'll figure out the rest together.