In their earliest years, kids experience their world through images and feelings. Art and play are the languages used as children grow and begin to understand and interpret their environment; they are natural ways for kids to communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas.
The art therapy studio is a safe space where kids can express their inner world through play, art and storytelling. Each child can decide on what materials they’d like to use, what they want to create, and what they want to talk about. The focus of art therapy is on the process of the child’s art-making, rather than on the finished product, so kids don’t need to have any special skills or experience in art. Art therapy can be especially helpful for kids who have difficulty expressing themselves or talking about problems using words.
Art therapy can help kids:
visually express and record their experiences, thoughts, feelings and imagination
convey emotions, perceptions and sensations that are difficult to express with words
calm the body and mind
create meaning through storytelling
enhance communication skills
build interpersonal skills
discover their strengths
develop positive coping skills to manage anxiety and other difficult emotions
Therapy Process
The first session of therapy is just for the grown-ups. During this first 50-minute session, we’ll go over your intake paperwork and you’ll have an opportunity to share in depth about what’s been going on for your kiddo. Together, we’ll come up with goals and a plan for your child.
From here, your child’s sessions will be 1:1 with me and will also be 50 minutes long. Kid therapy sessions usually involve some talking and A LOT of making. We’ll use the creative process to learn about feelings, share experiences, and work towards our specific goals.
The initial 5-6 sessions with a kiddo are a phase of assessment, for me to get to know your child and to understand their strengths and resources. After this period, I can begin to provide feedback, observations and sometimes recommendations based on what I’m seeing in sessions. Parent feedback meetings are scheduled separately from therapy sessions.
Financial Information
Fee per 50-minute session: $190
Sessions or meetings of any other length will be pro-rated according to this fee.
Most extended health insurance plans will provide coverage for psychotherapy. It is best to contact your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers psychotherapy, as each plan is different.