Expressive Arts Therapists in 98433
Robin L Pellerin
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, LMFTA, LMHCA, CGP
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Tacoma, WA 98433
When life gets messy, we can feel lost and disconnected not only from others but from ourselves. Are you struggling with a loss in your life? A family member or friend? A divorce? A relationship? Or yourself? As a certified grief professional, mental health counselor associate, marriage and family therapist associate, and first responder therapist, I have spent 5 years supporting military members, their families, and veterans who are working through one of life's most challenging journey's and the complex emotions that accompany them. My hope is to provide a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space to process these emotions.
When life gets messy, we can feel lost and disconnected not only from others but from ourselves. Are you struggling with a loss in your life? A family member or friend? A divorce? A relationship? Or yourself? As a certified grief professional, mental health counselor associate, marriage and family therapist associate, and first responder therapist, I have spent 5 years supporting military members, their families, and veterans who are working through one of life's most challenging journey's and the complex emotions that accompany them. My hope is to provide a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space to process these emotions.
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Expressive Arts Therapists
What happens in expressive arts therapy?
In an expressive arts therapy session, the therapist will provide the space and materials necessary to encourage the client to express themselves creatively. These can include art supplies, musical instruments, a journal, a camera, and more. The therapist offers careful guidance throughout the creative process, often noticing and talking about psychological issues as they arise. Many clients also benefit from the mind-body connection—the physical act of making art can help them feel more grounded and present.
How long does expressive arts therapy take?
An expressive arts therapy session will typically last between 50 minutes and an hour. Group sessions may run longer. Sometimes, a client might only need one or two sessions of expressive arts therapy in conjunction with talk therapy to resolve a psychological issue. Others might find a fixed number of sessions over the course of either weeks or months to be beneficial. The duration depends on the client and their individual needs and goals for therapy.
How does expressive arts therapy help children?
Creativity is an important part of normal child development. Expressive arts therapy proves a safe outlet for child clients to learn to identify their emotions and express them in healthy ways. In expressive arts therapy, children can build their self-esteem, discover more about their personality and strengths, and feel a sense of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic world. This therapeutic approach can be particularly helpful for children with developmental disabilities, autism, ADHD, speech impairments, and other conditions.
What are the limitations of expressive arts therapy?
Sometimes individuals have physical limitations that can affect their ability to express themselves artistically in certain mediums. For example, someone with hearing problems might find it difficult to make music. Sickness and mobility issues can make some types of art physically inaccessible (e.g., sculpting, dancing, etc.). Sometimes, clients are overly skeptical and have trouble letting go and engaging with the creative process. Individuals who require a higher level of care may be better served with other types of therapy.