Art Therapy Near Philadelphia

Art therapy is a powerful tool for healing.

Talk therapy is not for everyone. Many people prefer to process emotions, reduce stress, and find inner peace through creative expression rather than dialogue. 

More Than Words Alone

Words do not always come easily, especially with painful feelings and difficult experiences or challenges. Art can provide a means of accessing and processing these experiences in a new and different way. Many clients find it less frightening or intimidating to express their emotions through images and symbols rather than words or explanations. 

Oftentimes, art therapy is used in conjunction with traditional talk therapy techniques and can be used to deepen insight, understanding of concepts, or integration of skills outside of the session. 

The artwork produced also provides a visual reference of progress throughout the therapeutic process. 

What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy?

Art therapy opens up an entirely different avenue for learning, growing, and transforming. 

Here are some of the challenges your art therapist can help you with:

• Depression and distressed mood
• Stress management
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Trauma recovery and PTSD symptoms
• Memory loss

 

Who Has Art Therapy Availability in Greater Philadelphia?

It is almost impossible to find art therapy in the Philadelphia area during this mental health crisis, so availability is limited.

We are delighted to have board-certified, registered art therapist Teresa Thompson on our team. She is a highly credentialed clinician who loves working with adults who want to tap into their creativity.

She currently has availability to work with adults in person and via telehealth. Click HERE to schedule a free consultation with Ms. Thompson to discuss your specific challenges and questions to see if you’re a good fit. 

What To Expect When You Meet with Your Art Therapist

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect when you meet with your art therapist

1. Start with a phone call

   

Schedule a call with our  intake coordinator, Jessica Kryzer. She will take your contact info, answer your preliminary questions and then schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Art Therapist, Teresa Thompson, LPC to talk to decide if her approach and style are a good fit for you.

2. What to expect in your first session

Your first session will likely be very similar to what you would expect when meeting with a talk therapist. 

Teresa will get to know more about your experiences, concerns, interests, and strengths and begin to work with you to identify specific therapy goals and changes you want to see as a result of your therapy process. 

3. How the art therapy will progress?

Your art therapist will work collaboratively with you throughout the therapy process to work towards your goals. They will introduce specific art therapy directives, based on these goals. 

You Might Even Have Fun While You Heal

Many people picture tears and distress behind a therapist’s office doors. Sometimes this happens, but not always. There can also be laughter and pleasure along the way. 

Healing can happen without even talking about your pain out loud because the human brain is extraordinary. Therapy is a process of opening up different neuropathways and experiencing different emotions. This can happen without you even noticing, while you are simply choosing the colors for your art piece. 

Art Therapists are Highly Trained, Licensed Professionals

Some mistakenly believe that art therapists don’t have advanced training, but they actually have more training, not less, than traditional counselors. 

Art therapists are master’s level or Ph.D. clinicians who are first trained in traditional psychology and psychotherapy (psychological theory, human development, approaches, diagnoses, cultural competence, research, etc.) and then go on to receive a specialization in art therapy. 

Master’s programs must be accredited by the American Art Therapy Association for a clinician to practice art therapy and use the designation “art therapist.” In addition to the option to pursue state licensure upon graduation as a counselor, art therapists can pursue credentialing as a board-certified registered art therapist (ATR-BC) through AATA, which requires 1,500 hours of supervised clinical practice with an art therapist and passing a comprehensive national exam on the theory and practice of art therapy. 

If you are seeing an art therapist in Pennsylvania with the LPC and ATR-BC, they have achieved the highest level of credentialing as both a professional counselor and art therapist.

What Is the History and Efficacy of Art Therapy as a Counseling Approach?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that first developed mid-20th century and has been growing and evolving ever since. 

It is a widely researched approach to therapy that has been shown to be effective with ages across the lifespan and a wide array of therapeutic needs, from combat vets with PTSD to traumatic brain injury survivors, older adults with memory loss, to individuals with depression and anxiety. 

Art Therapy Q&A

Isn’t Art Therapy Just for Kids?

Though commonly associated with children’s therapy, the truth is that art therapy helps people of all ages. 

Can I do a combination of both talk therapy and art therapy?

Of course! These often interchange throughout the therapy session. There may be sessions when you do not make art, and there may be sessions when there is hardly any talking.

Do I need to bring in my own supplies?

No!

Your therapist will provide all art supplies for in-person sessions.

If you have specific preferences or favorite supplies, talk to your therapist about bringing these into your session (there may be some material restrictions due to ventilation or containment in the office). 

Does Art Therapy Work for Telehealth?

Yes!

You’ll use supplies in your own home, and your therapist can give you suggestions of new tools to try. 

I’m not very good at art. Does that matter?

No. 

You do not need to be an “artist” to benefit from art therapy. Your artwork will not be judged, and often the process is just as important, if not more important, than the finished product.

What if I try it and it’s not for me?

That’s okay! It’s not for everyone, and you can try a session or two and then talk to your therapist about your concerns. You can transition to a different approach until you find what you are looking for. 

How Will Art Therapy Help Me?

Research shows that many people start to feel better as soon as they make an appointment with a new therapist. 

Several months from now, you may feel a little more relaxed and confident about your situation. Everyone’s results are different, but many people feel comforted by having a counselor by their side to help them approach their challenges with a fresh new approach.