Expressive Arts Therapists in Seminole County, FL

Like you, I am human. While being human is beautiful, it can also mean facing confusion, pain, and darkness. Although I do not yet know what brought you here, I know you are not meant to face it alone. Through my own journey as a former client and experience as a therapist, I have found that true healing happens in the relationship we have with ourselves.

Everyone deserves to have a safe space to feel heard, accepted as you are, and become who you want to be. If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed or struggling, you found the right place for you. We all have stressors throughout our lives and sometimes just need the extra support to get through whatever it may be. My office is a safe place for children, teens and adults to come work through any problems they might be having.

Clients come to my office to address an array of issues, but, first and foremost, they come to be heard and understood. In a world that seems to move increasingly faster with less genuine connection to others, LWS Wellness is dedicated to providing a safe, caring space where clients can take a breath, gather their thoughts, and explore their concerns. Clients are encouraged to further develop resiliency, apply coping skills and self-compassion, and examine the impact of past experiences and family dynamics. Who we are is often an intersection with what we've experienced. My clients' experiences are always respected.

My mission is to create a nurturing space where children can explore fears and challenges through strength-based approaches to help them learn to express and grow into their fullest potential, while also empowering caregivers with the tools and strategies to foster connection and understanding within the family dynamic. I use a combo of expressive arts and evidence-based approaches, focusing on enhancing the parent-child relationship through structured or play-based interactions. Taking play therapy a step further, by teaching YOU how to become the play therapist, leading to sustainable success and growth even after graduation!

Thriving when we are not at our best is difficult. Managing our daily living tasks when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad, fearful, triggered, or in pain can be hard without help. Seeking counseling takes a lot of courage. I am motivated to help those who are struggling to find their inner strength & heal from their past experiences. I work with a wide variety of issues, including emotional distress, living with chronic pain & illness, parenting, relationship concerns, grief/loss, and adjusting to life transitions. I would be honored to speak with you and help you come up with a plan to make your life and your relationships better.

We believe that clients are the experts of their lives and strive to help use creative therapeutic avenues to create a space to help them meet their goals. Our experienced team has experience helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families address emotional and behavioral needs including anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger management, mood disorders, social and school issues, military related issues, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and family conflict.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and their families. I have specialized training in many expressive arts, including art therapy, play therapy, music therapy, and bibliotherapy. I have an ability to relate with children and teenagers and can use each child's unique traits and interests throughout the counseling process. I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help challenge and restructure negative thought patterns in older children and teenagers. I focus on building healthy relationships and effective communication among family members. I am trained in EMDR to help process trauma in the past and present.

Susie Rhoads has over 30 years of experience working with individuals from all aspects of life including the LGBTQ+ community, Personality Disorders, and individuals with Trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD, Grief/Loss, Generalized Anxiety, Bipolar Disorders, and Substance Abuse issues. Susie uses techniques including talk therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Bibliotherapy, and Play Therapy.

Hello! My mission is to create a therapeutic relationship where kids are able to explore their perspectives, learn to thrive in a complicated world, and support parents in assisting their child with their growth. I work with children between the ages of 5 and 18, and it’s important to me that kids have a voice while also learning how to make their world a better place. I have participated in training on working with neurodiverse children, trauma-informed practices, expressive arts therapy, and Gottman Method Level 1 couples therapy.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified SandTray Therapist with over 25 years’ experience. My passion lies in working with children, teens, adults, and families to process a variety of areas such as anxiety, depression, autism, attachment issues, caregiver issues, LGBTQ+, trauma, managing anger and more.

I know how past hurts and traumatic experiences impact the quality of our daily lives, often resulting in depression, anxiety, trust issues, troubled or dissatisfying relationships, poor work or school performance, and negative self-esteem. My passion lies with helping people resolve past or present trauma. I will walk alongside of you and help facilitate opportunities that provide a deeper awareness and insight into your life, which can be a pathway of hope and positive change. One of my strengths is in working effectively not only with adults, but with children and teenagers.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, licensed in Texas, Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin, who has worked in outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential and inpatient settings, in mental health, addiction and eating disorder fields. My approach in therapy integrates holistic, expressive, developmental attachment theory and traditional evidenced based approaches. I have had a broad experience working with children, teens, emergent adults, as well as parents and families. Prior to graduate school, I worked in the art field and continues to integrate expressive arts into her practice with clients.

My ideal client is proactive and deeply committed to personal growth, despite challenges like anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles. They aim to understand and overcome complex emotions, often stemming from childhood trauma or life's pressures. Their goals extend beyond symptom relief; they seek to build resilience, self-awareness, and a profound understanding of their underlying issues. These individuals value active engagement in therapy, are open to exploring new perspectives, and are ready to embark on a transformative journey towards a fulfilling, balanced life.

Proficient in treating eating disorders, nonsuicidal self-injury, and anxiety disorders. Everyone deserves peace in their lives but often times experience fear and self-doubt from difficult experiences or perhaps invalidating environments. I have had the dream of becoming a therapist since I was in high school, and I am grateful to be living that dream. My counseling approach involves genuineness, fostering self-compassion and instilling empowerment for those I work with. It would be an honor and privilege to hear what led you to therapy, and assist you in your journey toward healing and igniting your passion for life.

One of the bravest things you can do is begin to understand your own story. Whether it’s learning techniques to combat anxiety, stress or depression, or addressing and overcoming trauma and PTSD. Perhaps you have a child that is struggling in school, a teen that won’t open up to you, and you’re looking for someone they can talk to. Maybe you just need someone to truly listen and to hear you, to walk with you as you take these next brave steps.

There is something wonderful about growing older, especially in this profession. For 36 years I have practiced psychotherapy, which is defined as the “care of the soul.” This type of work is not for the faint of heart. Healing is an intensely intimate, individual, and spiritual experience. We know our answers, the question is, "Are we brave enough to hear them?"

Life’s many transitions, wounds from our past, and pressures in day-to-day living can lead to feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed at times. The good news is that counseling can help. I am passionate about encouraging and assisting individuals to live life to their fullest potential. I believe that humans are resilient and can overcome the obstacles before them with the proper tools, support, and mindset. I help motivated individuals like yourself openly explore what holds them back from experiencing a joy-filled life.

You're unsure when it happened but aren't connecting with your teen anymore. You can hardly talk without starting a fight. They seem like they're struggling but won't open up to you. You miss your goofy, sweet, and thoughtful kid. You want a counselor you can trust, who is on your team, respects your boundaries as a parent, and wants the best for you and your family. You’d do anything to see your child succeed in school and spend time with family again, You want to feel connected as a family. I can help.

My passion is helping individuals gain self-fulfillment, growth and happiness throughout this journey of life. In life challenges may arise where you experience self-doubt, unhealthy habits or trauma. I am here to help you overcome these challenges by using a holistic approach focusing on your cognitions and the impact they have on your behavior. If you are looking to make healthy changes and overcome past struggles today is a great day to get started. I provide in office sessions and recently added telehealth services via live video sessions (adults only).