Art Therapy in San Rafael, CA

I have a broad range of experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, family dynamics, grief and loss and navigating life transitions. Recognizing the courage and vulnerability it takes to enter into a therapeutic relationship, I make every effort to create a comfortable, safe space that makes each individual feel genuinely seen, heard and understood. I practice from a place of openness and curiosity. That means I don’t make assumptions and I don’t have one set, structured approach, though I often employ mindfulness, expressive art , and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques into my work.

We specialize in the treatment of children, teens, adults and families. We use ACT, CBT, art and play therapy to work with children who are struggling with friendships, impulse control issues, the effects of divorce, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Our evidence based practices are especially helpful for children with OCD, separation anxiety, fears and phobias, attachment and adoption issues, sleep issues, and post traumatic stress. As a parent you can also benefit by gaining new insights about your child and getting guidance and consultation.

I believe that life’s challenges, whether external or internal, are opportunities for self-discovery and for becoming more aligned with your inner wisdom. My role as a therapist is to create an environment in which you can express yourself, feel deeply heard and connect to your authentic self. I believe that when we can meet ourselves with love and respect, we can heal from many issues. My focus is on supporting you to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, including your resources and strengths, your unique perspective, and your unconscious patterns so you can create the change and healing that you desire.

Gellaine (Jeh-lane) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and board certified Art Therapist who centers her work through creativity and authentic connections with her clients. In addition to talking, therapy with Gellaine is a dynamic collaborative process. Using art therapy , play therapy, movement, and a strengths-based approach, she encourages clients to use their imaginations and curiosity to explore struggles and concerns.

Life’s difficulties – when held properly – are like the grains of sand that form the pearl in the oyster. I am here to help you discover that pearl. Are you feeling tossed and confused by life’s sea changes? I’m here to guide you into discovering what generates the whirlwind in your mind, the ache in your body, the weight and grip in your belly. We’ll use art -making, mindfulness, dreamwork, and inner listening to dip beneath the surface.

I am a licensed psychologist. I see both children and adults in my private practice. My work with children and adults utilizes our human ability to express ourselves through imagery in art , play, imagination, and dreams in ways that catalyzes healing and inner transformation. With children my work includes collateral sessions with their parents. With adults I also draw on my many years of spiritual practice, using such techniques as mindfulness and Yoga Nidra with my clients.

Specializing in child/teen therapy. Specializing in attachment concerns, suicidal ideation, self-harm, relational issues and more... I treat the whole child/teen by providing our youth in the greater community with a space to explore, process and express their own emotional experiences through play, art and talk therapies. Therapy has proven to help kids improve self-esteem, identify their strengths, lean into their growing edges, learn perspective, process trauma, develop healthy coping strategies and find and maintain healthy relationships.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a certified relapse prevention specialist, and a registered art therapist. I provide individual therapy for adults and adolescents in Marin County and Sonoma County . I help my clients' to learn how to set clear limits with others and how to create healthy boundaries for oneself; as well as to learn what your own personal boundaries look like. I assist people in discovering how to lead meaningful and authentic lives; and to become self-actualized. I guide my clients in refocusing on what makes him or her most human: creativity, agency, free will, intentionality, self-determination, imagination, and values.

My goal as a therapist is to help my clients learn how to effectively manage anxiety and stress, decrease depression, support positive life transitions, improve social connections, and build effective parenting skills. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, combined with Mindfulness, Psychodynamic, and Client-Centered therapy techniques to help clients navigate the challenges they face. This allows my clients to learn from their life experiences, understand the impacts of their current patterns and decision making, and explore and develop new ways of thinking and acting.

Are you worried about your child, teen or young adult but unsure how to help them? You can see something has changed in them: perhaps they seem depressed, anxious, or isolated in ways they didn’t used to be. You want them to learn skills to deal with life's challenges and resolve the issues that are holding them back. Because more than anything, you want to see your child thrive. My practice focuses on the unique needs of children 4+ through young adulthood and their families. I create developmentally appropriate, customized treatment plans using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies and art and play therapy interventions.

I have an engaged, relational approach, grounded in modern research on the brain, trauma and attachment. I believe the goal of therapy is to realistically become who you truly are--not to fix you, or tell you how to be. I'm an eco-psychologist, a feminist therapist, and a Jungian. If you work with me, we'll look at your personal, family and cultural history, and the beliefs you hold about yourself and the world. Where we find traumas, disturbing memories, negative beliefs and uncomfortable feelings, we can use a variety of methods to loosen then, learn from them and heal them, including EMDR. I'm LGBTQII-positive.

Therapy is not something I "do" to you; it is a collaboration and conversation we have together. I look forward to walking beside you as you access a place within that feels more like home. There is no one way to move toward healing. I use an emotionally-focused (EFT), humanistic and somatic understanding while keeping the very human need for attachment and relationship at the heart of our work together. Many clients feel and notice a shift toward increased authenticity, flow, ease and joy in their lives after working together. (Now accepting COUPLES).

To others, it seems like you have it all. But underneath lives a different story. Despite your outward success, you feel haunted sometimes by feelings of failure, conflict, self-doubt. At certain moments, a gnawing sense overcomes you, telling you: Something is not right. You've made changes but somehow still end up in the same unsatisfying patterns, repeating the same unhelpful behaviors -- feeling more and more alone. You want to understand your patterns and your past so you can create a different future. You want to learn to feel differently about yourself and how you relate with others. You want to find a different way.

Are you concerned or confused by your child's behavior? Has your child's teacher suggested your child work with a therapist? Are you worried that your child is under stress? Do you feel like you are not a good parent for your child? It is very difficult to parent a child who is struggling with challenging feelings and behaviors. I provide therapeutic support to kids who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, adoption issues, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, academic or social issues, or major life changes. I offer support for parents.

Any scary event or even a medical diagnosis can wreak havoc & any daily routine is quickly found unmanageable. If the physical body fails you, it affects your mood. If emotions are out of wack, it affects your health. Either way, you deserve to feel in control and you can reclaim control. The goal is to highlight your strengths and minimize or eliminate any obstacles to healthy wellness. A direct benefit of engaging in effective help elevates your protective factors against emotional decay now a known correlate with disease. Together we can restore a sense of control, balance, and develop your future goals. You deserve to be happy.

"​Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher My ideal client is having issues with past traumas, life transitions and troubles. They want to see their life get easier and more joyful. We can figure out therapeutically what's needed and negotiate the number of sessions. With my own life and professional experiences, I bring a wealth of treatment options and resources. I offer a free initial phone (call 15-20 minutes) to help you determine if I'm the therapist for your needs at this time. Sessions are virtual due to COVID-19.