Art Therapy Outpatient Services
Art Therapy for Kids
Children can sometimes struggle to express their needs, emotions, and experiences, especially during periods of grief, loss, or emotional overwhelm. Art therapy can help children explore feelings and find their voice within a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment.
I am not a registered play therapist, though I am happy to provide referrals when play therapy may be a better clinical fit. I do offer child-friendly supports within sessions, including plushies for comfort and accessible art materials such as easy-grip crayons and sensory-based creative tools.
I encourage art-making as a form of creative exploration and expression that can help children process feelings, thoughts, and experiences that may be difficult to communicate verbally. Examples of art-making may include creating houses or structures from recycled materials, sculpting clay figures, textile-based projects, drawing, painting, collage, or imaginative mixed media activities.
Art Therapy for Teens
Adolescence is the season of life when childhood is still present, but adulthood is knocking at the door. Natural life changes can be difficult to navigate, especially when so much is happening physiologically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally all at once. This can feel especially overwhelming in the midst of grief, loss, emotional stress, or major life transitions.
Art therapy is designed to provide a creative and supportive space for teens to process emotions, build coping skills, strengthen self-expression, and feel more understood. Art-making can help teens find their voice while exploring identity, relationships, emotions, and what they want for themselves and their future. Sometimes, expressing difficult thoughts and feelings through art feels more approachable than words alone.
A unique experience for parents, caregivers, and legal guardians is that some teens may be legally eligible to consent to mental health treatment services independently. That can feel like a very big step for both teens and families.
Please be aware that Maryland law recognizes adolescents beginning at age 16 as able to consent to outpatient mental health treatment services under certain circumstances. I’m happy to discuss further what this may look like within the art therapy process, including communication, confidentiality, parent or legal guardian involvement, safety considerations, and other clinical or legal factors relevant to treatment.
Young adults who have recently turned 18 are also navigating an important transition into adulthood, which does not always come with a compass. Whether beginning therapy for the first time or continuing services into adulthood, art therapy can provide support, perspective, and space for continued growth and self-understanding during this stage of life.
Art Therapy for Adults
Life hits fast when you’re carrying responsibilities, expectations, and accountability. Sometimes it all begins to feel like too much, and life does not always slow down when you want or need it to. Art therapy can support navigating grief, loss, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions through reflective and expressive art practices tailored to your individual treatment needs.
Art therapy is not just for children and teens. Natural talent and artistic gifts can be wonderful, but they are not necessary to experience the benefits of art therapy. Art therapy focuses on the process and progress through creative exploration, art-based principles, and expressive practices that support emotional processing, self-understanding, and healing.
Art therapy is meant to be accessible, flexible, intentional, and purposeful while adapting to your unique experiences, goals, and treatment needs.