“Art-making is a central focus of my counseling work.  Our images are forms of communication; they are meaningful responses to the world around us. They are expressions that go beyond words and often show us things about our circumstances and ourselves that words are not able to articulate.  Making art enhances perceptual acuity, increases cognitive functioning, allows integration of the senses, and activates our creative center; all of these aspects are therapeutic.  My profession is a beautiful partnering of my interests in psychology and art and my desire to help others - to somehow address the suffering I see among this exquisitely beautiful world.”

Art therapy blends counseling with the creative process of making art.  The therapist guides the use of art materials in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, focusing not on the outcome or product, but on the therapeutic qualities of the art making itself.  Artistic self-expression can help people resolve conflicts, increase self awareness, and achieve personal insights.  The visible expressions become a tangible record of the individual’s process in counseling.