Art Therapy in Golden, CO
Hello, I'm Rachel. I have a passion for working with people and helping break down the barriers they face through counseling. Since 2004, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. My experience spans all levels of care, including outpatient settings, private practice, and leadership roles in the co-occurring field. I hold a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and a Master's degree in Counseling from Regis University. Additionally, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addiction Counselor, with specialized training in Mental Health Nutrition
Hello, I'm Rachel. I have a passion for working with people and helping break down the barriers they face through counseling. Since 2004, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. My experience spans all levels of care, including outpatient settings, private practice, and leadership roles in the co-occurring field. I hold a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and a Master's degree in Counseling from Regis University. Additionally, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addiction Counselor, with specialized training in Mental Health Nutrition
Sessions blend talk therapy with experiential approaches such as play, art, and brain-body techniques.
You may be a parent worried about your child or teen struggling with anxiety, big emotions, or behavioral challenges. Or you might be a teen or young adult feeling overwhelmed by stress, relationships, identity questions, or the pressure of school, work, or life transitions. Many people come to therapy wanting to better understand their emotions, feel more confident managing challenges, and build healthier connections. Therapy can provide a supportive space to slow down, explore what’s going on, and develop practical tools to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Sessions blend talk therapy with experiential approaches such as play, art, and brain-body techniques.
You may be a parent worried about your child or teen struggling with anxiety, big emotions, or behavioral challenges. Or you might be a teen or young adult feeling overwhelmed by stress, relationships, identity questions, or the pressure of school, work, or life transitions. Many people come to therapy wanting to better understand their emotions, feel more confident managing challenges, and build healthier connections. Therapy can provide a supportive space to slow down, explore what’s going on, and develop practical tools to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Ashley Kleinman Martinez
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, RDT-BCT, LCAT, LPC
1 Endorsed
Golden, CO 80401
HELLO. Your courage brought you this far and I would like to warmly welcome you to Brave Space Counseling & Wellness.
I specialize in a deeply personalized, down-to-earth therapeutic approach for children, perinatal women, and new moms who struggle with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, anger, and self-doubt so they can feel more calm, confident, and in control.I specialize in a deeply personalized, down-to-earth therapeutic approach for children, perinatal women, and new moms who struggle with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, anger, and self-doubt so they can feel more calm, confident, and in control.
HELLO. Your courage brought you this far and I would like to warmly welcome you to Brave Space Counseling & Wellness.
I specialize in a deeply personalized, down-to-earth therapeutic approach for children, perinatal women, and new moms who struggle with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, anger, and self-doubt so they can feel more calm, confident, and in control.I specialize in a deeply personalized, down-to-earth therapeutic approach for children, perinatal women, and new moms who struggle with emotional overwhelm, anxiety, anger, and self-doubt so they can feel more calm, confident, and in control.
My Credentials: • Licensed Professional Counselor • Registered/Board Certified Art Therapist • Certified Forest Therapy Guide • Professionally-trained Life Coach Flexible and Accessible: • Virtual sessions for adults, Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM •
Do you often find yourself: • People-pleasing? • Chasing perfection? • Overworking? • Making fear-based decisions? • Neglecting self-care? • Procrastinating? If you answered yes to any of these, unhealed trauma might be influencing your behavior. I specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as Parts Work, to help you heal from within. Unlike traditional methods, IFS targets the root cause of your stress and trauma, promoting true healing rather than just symptom management. What You'll Gain: • Connect with your internal Parts • Understand your Internal System • Build trust with Parts driving unhealthy behaviors
My Credentials: • Licensed Professional Counselor • Registered/Board Certified Art Therapist • Certified Forest Therapy Guide • Professionally-trained Life Coach Flexible and Accessible: • Virtual sessions for adults, Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM •
Do you often find yourself: • People-pleasing? • Chasing perfection? • Overworking? • Making fear-based decisions? • Neglecting self-care? • Procrastinating? If you answered yes to any of these, unhealed trauma might be influencing your behavior. I specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as Parts Work, to help you heal from within. Unlike traditional methods, IFS targets the root cause of your stress and trauma, promoting true healing rather than just symptom management. What You'll Gain: • Connect with your internal Parts • Understand your Internal System • Build trust with Parts driving unhealthy behaviors
My work often blends art, play, and unique therapeutic experiences to meet each persons needs.
I offer unique ways to heal, including tattoo therapy—using art on skin to express, process, and reshape personal narratives. I also integrate art, play, and music into sessions, tailoring each approach to your needs. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; together we create a path that supports your healing and growth
My work often blends art, play, and unique therapeutic experiences to meet each persons needs.
I offer unique ways to heal, including tattoo therapy—using art on skin to express, process, and reshape personal narratives. I also integrate art, play, and music into sessions, tailoring each approach to your needs. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; together we create a path that supports your healing and growth
We all need help sometimes. This help often comes from family members and friends, but sometimes we need a different type of help - help that comes from someone who prioritizes your growth, values, and perspective. Someone who can listen without judging, see your strengths and help you build upon them. Someone who can help you write your own story and teach you strategies to deal with troubling thoughts or feelings. Someone who can help you through a stressful or traumatic situation. Someone who gets to know you, and then challenges some of the ways you've been doing things.
We all need help sometimes. This help often comes from family members and friends, but sometimes we need a different type of help - help that comes from someone who prioritizes your growth, values, and perspective. Someone who can listen without judging, see your strengths and help you build upon them. Someone who can help you write your own story and teach you strategies to deal with troubling thoughts or feelings. Someone who can help you through a stressful or traumatic situation. Someone who gets to know you, and then challenges some of the ways you've been doing things.
New this year, no AI components in my practice! Have you tried therapy and gotten stuck? Do you feel like it's your job to figure out what to talk about in therapy next so you gave up? I work with women and teens on many topics but collaborate with you on what we do. I customize therapy to my clients, you give the target, I supply the roadmap to get there. Grief, anxiety, traum & overwhelm I can get you through. My style is warm, relaxed, and holistic. I use my 30 years of experience to help clients find answers by offering honest reflection & integrative tools. No confusion, no pressure. We work in session you rest in between.
New this year, no AI components in my practice! Have you tried therapy and gotten stuck? Do you feel like it's your job to figure out what to talk about in therapy next so you gave up? I work with women and teens on many topics but collaborate with you on what we do. I customize therapy to my clients, you give the target, I supply the roadmap to get there. Grief, anxiety, traum & overwhelm I can get you through. My style is warm, relaxed, and holistic. I use my 30 years of experience to help clients find answers by offering honest reflection & integrative tools. No confusion, no pressure. We work in session you rest in between.
I find that therapy is most impactful when it is collaborative and I base my therapeutic approach on my client’s unique life experiences and individual strengths. If you have been feeling stuck, scared, or just curious, I can help you learn more about yourself, your attachment patterns, and your goals. Emotional growth and healing is a lifelong journey and together we can navigate the low points and celebrate your progress along the way. You deserve to be treated with compassion, warmth, and kindness by those around you, but most importantly by yourself.
I find that therapy is most impactful when it is collaborative and I base my therapeutic approach on my client’s unique life experiences and individual strengths. If you have been feeling stuck, scared, or just curious, I can help you learn more about yourself, your attachment patterns, and your goals. Emotional growth and healing is a lifelong journey and together we can navigate the low points and celebrate your progress along the way. You deserve to be treated with compassion, warmth, and kindness by those around you, but most importantly by yourself.
A lot of us might think a joyful life means keeping it all together, smiling through it all-but real life is way more textured than that. My goal isn't to help you avoid the hard stuff, but to help you move with it, grow through it, and even find moments of lightness and humor along the way.
A lot of us might think a joyful life means keeping it all together, smiling through it all-but real life is way more textured than that. My goal isn't to help you avoid the hard stuff, but to help you move with it, grow through it, and even find moments of lightness and humor along the way.
You’ve always secretly felt a little different—like your brain works in its own unique way. Maybe you struggle with daily tasks, decision paralysis, or constant overwhelm. You might feel extra sensitive to sounds, textures, or emotions, or get lost in deep thought while the world rushes around you. And if you’re a parent, you're always managing everyone else’s needs—leaving little room for yourself. You wonder if you’ll ever get space to just be without the weight of responsibility. You’re ready for change but aren’t sure where to start—or if it’s even possible. It is possible! And you don’t have to do it alone.
You’ve always secretly felt a little different—like your brain works in its own unique way. Maybe you struggle with daily tasks, decision paralysis, or constant overwhelm. You might feel extra sensitive to sounds, textures, or emotions, or get lost in deep thought while the world rushes around you. And if you’re a parent, you're always managing everyone else’s needs—leaving little room for yourself. You wonder if you’ll ever get space to just be without the weight of responsibility. You’re ready for change but aren’t sure where to start—or if it’s even possible. It is possible! And you don’t have to do it alone.
I know that moving through this world can be difficult. I believe the therapeutic process can facilitate growth, empowerment, and change. I work with adult clients who are facing a variety of challenges and stressors including major life transitions, overwhelm, burnout, difficulties in relationships, anxiety, depression, HSP, ADHD, CPTSD, and trauma. As a somatic practitioner, I guide clients toward the mind-body connection so they can harness their own internal wisdom. My sessions include both verbal and embodied processing. I aim to provide a collaborative, relational, and evidence-based environment that promotes client growth.
I know that moving through this world can be difficult. I believe the therapeutic process can facilitate growth, empowerment, and change. I work with adult clients who are facing a variety of challenges and stressors including major life transitions, overwhelm, burnout, difficulties in relationships, anxiety, depression, HSP, ADHD, CPTSD, and trauma. As a somatic practitioner, I guide clients toward the mind-body connection so they can harness their own internal wisdom. My sessions include both verbal and embodied processing. I aim to provide a collaborative, relational, and evidence-based environment that promotes client growth.
As a child therapist I utilize play therapy, expressive art, and sandtray therapy modalities, providing children with developmentally appropriate opportunities to self-direct and “play out” their feelings and inner worlds much as adults “talk out” their feelings in traditional talk therapy.
I work with children struggling to adjust to changes such as divorce, family blending, or grieving a loss; experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma; and children struggling with behavior, school, or relationship problems.
As a child therapist I utilize play therapy, expressive art, and sandtray therapy modalities, providing children with developmentally appropriate opportunities to self-direct and “play out” their feelings and inner worlds much as adults “talk out” their feelings in traditional talk therapy.
I work with children struggling to adjust to changes such as divorce, family blending, or grieving a loss; experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma; and children struggling with behavior, school, or relationship problems.
She is professionally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Flash Techniques, and she employs play-based and art-focused therapeutic approaches to effectively engage younger clients.
Elana is a dedicated and compassionate therapist with a strong commitment to supporting children, adolescents, and adults in achieving emotional well-being and personal growth.
She is professionally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Flash Techniques, and she employs play-based and art-focused therapeutic approaches to effectively engage younger clients.
Elana is a dedicated and compassionate therapist with a strong commitment to supporting children, adolescents, and adults in achieving emotional well-being and personal growth.
My clients benefit from a combination of my favorite tried and true modalities and skills including but not limited to: Strengths-based, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Brief therapy, sand, art and play!
Clients choosing therapy bring their strengths and solutions. It's an honor to partner with clients who are open to this hard discovery work. I use a variety of approaches, delivered in a gentle yet focused manner.
My clients benefit from a combination of my favorite tried and true modalities and skills including but not limited to: Strengths-based, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Brief therapy, sand, art and play!
Clients choosing therapy bring their strengths and solutions. It's an honor to partner with clients who are open to this hard discovery work. I use a variety of approaches, delivered in a gentle yet focused manner.
I am a licensed professional counselor and art therapist with over 19 years of experience including grief counseling, adult and pediatric end of life counseling, family therapy, and trauma based counseling.
The decision to seek therapy in times of turmoil is courageous and wise. Often we spend so much time caring for others and giving of ourselves, that we forget to attend to our own needs - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. At times a heartbreaking loss, illness, divorce, or other event is the catalyst for turning our attention inward. Other times the cause may be a need to gain better interpersonal skills, learn ways to reduce anxiety or trauma symptoms, or simply a desire to know ourselves better. Whatever reason has brought you to this place, I am here to help you.
I am a licensed professional counselor and art therapist with over 19 years of experience including grief counseling, adult and pediatric end of life counseling, family therapy, and trauma based counseling.
The decision to seek therapy in times of turmoil is courageous and wise. Often we spend so much time caring for others and giving of ourselves, that we forget to attend to our own needs - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. At times a heartbreaking loss, illness, divorce, or other event is the catalyst for turning our attention inward. Other times the cause may be a need to gain better interpersonal skills, learn ways to reduce anxiety or trauma symptoms, or simply a desire to know ourselves better. Whatever reason has brought you to this place, I am here to help you.
As a clinician, entrepreneur, supervisor, & doctor-in-training, I have spent 10 years honing my craft: the art and science of relationship restoration.
The common saying "It’s about the journey, not the destination" certainly has its time and place. However, if there’s anything I’ve learned over more than a decade working with the havoc wreaked by trauma and relationships in crisis, it’s that the therapeutic journey ought to lead to a destination...quick! When we spend years of our lives wrestling with the challenges of relationship distress, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and a whole lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms, in my humble opinion, this journey need not take until we’re old and gray or our most precious relationships have fallen apart.
As a clinician, entrepreneur, supervisor, & doctor-in-training, I have spent 10 years honing my craft: the art and science of relationship restoration.
The common saying "It’s about the journey, not the destination" certainly has its time and place. However, if there’s anything I’ve learned over more than a decade working with the havoc wreaked by trauma and relationships in crisis, it’s that the therapeutic journey ought to lead to a destination...quick! When we spend years of our lives wrestling with the challenges of relationship distress, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and a whole lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms, in my humble opinion, this journey need not take until we’re old and gray or our most precious relationships have fallen apart.
I have over 27 years of experience in counseling with ages two-eighty-five. As a Registered Play Therapist, I use creative ad play interventions as well as talk therapy to engage clients of all ages in self-exploration and personal growth. A majority of my clinical experience has been with children and adolescents affected by abuse and trauma and divorce. I also specialize with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and pervasive developmental disorders. In addition to offering individual counseling, I also offer family and group counseling, as well as clinical supervision.
I have over 27 years of experience in counseling with ages two-eighty-five. As a Registered Play Therapist, I use creative ad play interventions as well as talk therapy to engage clients of all ages in self-exploration and personal growth. A majority of my clinical experience has been with children and adolescents affected by abuse and trauma and divorce. I also specialize with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and pervasive developmental disorders. In addition to offering individual counseling, I also offer family and group counseling, as well as clinical supervision.
My journey has taken me down many paths, leading me to this place of service. With three careers and numerous personal journeys, I have found my calling as a guide, therapist, and honored witness in the trusted journey of self-discovery. From businesswoman to mother, to dreamer, and back again, I connect with my clients through shared experiences. My life’s work, enriched by my studies in counseling, my analysis with a Jungian analyst, my explorations of the dream world, and my capacity to work with trauma and healing, has brought me to a place of deep meaning. Here, I offer my life experience and training as a space for you.
My journey has taken me down many paths, leading me to this place of service. With three careers and numerous personal journeys, I have found my calling as a guide, therapist, and honored witness in the trusted journey of self-discovery. From businesswoman to mother, to dreamer, and back again, I connect with my clients through shared experiences. My life’s work, enriched by my studies in counseling, my analysis with a Jungian analyst, my explorations of the dream world, and my capacity to work with trauma and healing, has brought me to a place of deep meaning. Here, I offer my life experience and training as a space for you.
Not fitting in may be the most universal experience. Many of us know what it’s like to feel unseen, misunderstood, or weighed down by blame and shame—often turning that weight inward in cycles we don’t have to carry. Therapy offers space to soften judgment, explore the choices that shaped your path, and rediscover meaning in even the hardest moments. Pain is often tied to the places we’ve outgrown. In relationships, our deepest hopes often collide with our deepest disappointments. Expectations about love, care, and fairness aren’t always met. When one person carries more of the weight or old hurts remain unspoken—grief takes root.
Not fitting in may be the most universal experience. Many of us know what it’s like to feel unseen, misunderstood, or weighed down by blame and shame—often turning that weight inward in cycles we don’t have to carry. Therapy offers space to soften judgment, explore the choices that shaped your path, and rediscover meaning in even the hardest moments. Pain is often tied to the places we’ve outgrown. In relationships, our deepest hopes often collide with our deepest disappointments. Expectations about love, care, and fairness aren’t always met. When one person carries more of the weight or old hurts remain unspoken—grief takes root.
I help adolescents and adults with self discovery through life transitions. Life transitions are common and often support is helpful; whether that is a new relationship, big move, parenthood, school or career path, or if you are experiencing new, unexpected emotions in your life. I understand that these moments can be both exhilarating and daunting, and I am committed to providing the necessary tools and support to navigate them confidently.
I help adolescents and adults with self discovery through life transitions. Life transitions are common and often support is helpful; whether that is a new relationship, big move, parenthood, school or career path, or if you are experiencing new, unexpected emotions in your life. I understand that these moments can be both exhilarating and daunting, and I am committed to providing the necessary tools and support to navigate them confidently.
See more therapy options for Golden
Nearby Art Therapy Searches for Golden
- Arvada
- Broomfield
- Denver
- Edgewater
- Evergreen
- Lakewood
- Louisville
- Morrison
- Northglenn
- Superior
- Westminster
- Wheat Ridge
Art Therapy Therapists
How does art therapy work?
The process of making art allows people to express themselves. Art-making can take many forms, such as painting, collage, or sculpting. The therapist asks questions that the work elicits, such as how the person felt while creating their piece, or if any memories surfaced that they can discuss. The therapist will then work with the patient to process their experience, understand themselves better, and work toward change.
Does art therapy help with trauma?
Art therapy can be a valuable treatment option for those suffering from trauma. Traumatic experiences such as combat, rape, or childhood abuse can be so painful that articulating them can be too scary or painful; creating art allows people to express themselves without words, and tell their story in a different way. The physical nature of creating art can also help people feel rooted in the body, which may benefit those who feel disconnected from their body in the aftermath of trauma.
How long does art therapy last?
The duration of art therapy varies, but a common length for treatment is 10 to 15 weekly sessions. Some people may see improvement in just a few weeks, while others may choose to remain in therapy longer term. Patients should periodically discuss their goals with their therapist to make sure the two are aligned on process and progress.
What are the limitations of art therapy?
Art therapy is helpful for many people, but a limitation is that it doesn’t have as robust an evidence base as other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy. The evidence on art therapy is mixed; some research demonstrates its benefits, while other research suggests that it has little impact on patients.