FAQs

What is your experience with children and teens? 

I was an intern at a children’s hospital where I was a primary art therapist for individuals ages three to eighteen years old. I worked with children and teens diagnosed with chronic illness, eating disorders, depression/suicidality, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, OCD, and developmental delay/regression. In addition, I saw kids that were hospitalized for short term and long term stays due to physical trauma or injury. 

What is a therapy appointment like? What will we do? 

Art therapy can be simply seen as therapy, but with art! Imagine a room filled with art supplies that you can use to express how you feel or what you’re thinking. In our first session I may ask you to draw a picture or two to warm up your creativity, get to know who you are, and explore the reason you’re coming into therapy. We could start the session with art, end the session with art, or just talk it out as you scribble with some markers, fold origami, or play with clay. There may be prompts that will guide your creation or a “free draw” where you draw anything you want in order for us to explore where you’re at that day. 

What if I don’t want to make art or I’m “not good” at art? 

Art is not just a drawing on paper. It could be gluing pictures onto a canvas, mixing paint into clay, or ripping up a piece of paper! There are so many ways to express yourself and your current skill level should not be a barrier to that. I am not an art teacher that will grade what you make. However, I know that sometimes it can be really hard to create depending on how you’re feeling or what may be happening in your life. Art-making is always encouraged each session but not required. 

Do you work with adults? 

Parent or family collaboration can be beneficial and transformative when aligned with the client’s goals. My primary client is the child or teen and our work in session will focus on their needs. Participation during therapy is welcome if it is appropriate and agreed upon by the child.