Art Therapy
I offer art therapy in Richmond, VA and virtually throughout Virginia for adults managing anxiety, trauma, burnout, and identity transitions. Art therapy is especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed, overthink everything, or struggle to put their emotions into words.
So, what is art therapy?
“Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” - American Art Therapy Association
If you're looking for art therapy in Richmond, VA, you're not alone. More and more people are discovering that talk therapy isn’t the only way to process what they’re feeling—and that creative expression can offer something deeper.
Using Art Therapy When You Can’t Find the Words...
You know how there are times when you're feeling so many different emotions—and yet you can’t find the words to express what you're experiencing?
Using lines, shapes, colors, and movement can be a way to explore those feelings differently, without having to rely solely on language.
It’s my belief that creating art allows parts of yourself to come forward—a way for you to tell your own story.
Sometimes that looks like:
Play, relaxation, or stress relief
An image that allows for deep reflection
Simply making space to be with whatever you’re holding
Art therapy can support anxiety, trauma, burnout, self-discovery, and emotional overwhelm—especially when the usual coping tools aren't enough.
As an art therapist…
I believe in the power of art to allow for deeper conversation without needing to have the “right” words. Art therapy brings awareness to additional ways individuals can express themselves and connect with their inner creative source.
Whether you're navigating:
...expressive arts therapy can help slow things down and make room for what’s been buried or shut down.
You don’t have to consider yourself and artist to get the full benefits of art therapy! I’ve worked with many people who have some familiarity with art materials, and I’ve worked with many who haven’t picked up a crayon since second grade. As long as you have an openness and willingness, art therapy can be for you.
What if I'm not an artist?
Art therapy is about the process of creating, rather than the product you create.
Sometimes that looks like utilizing watercolors to slowly dance across the page, truly focusing on what it feels like to be present in this moment.
Sometimes it looks like drawing your frustrations about trying to meet everyone’s needs and scrunching up the paper as tight as you can to release some of that built up energy.
Or maybe it looks like creating a space to imagine what the feeling of self-love might look like and finding magazine images that that represent that feeling.
What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy for Managing Anxiety?
Art therapy can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety because it allows your nervous system to slow down while your mind stops racing. When anxiety feels constant—like you’re always “on” or carrying a mental load—traditional talk therapy alone may not fully access what’s happening beneath the surface.
Through art therapy, clients can:
• Regulate their nervous system through sensory engagement
• Express emotions that feel difficult to verbalize
• Externalize anxious thoughts instead of being consumed by them
• Reduce overthinking and perfectionism
• Build self-trust and emotional clarity
As an art therapist in Richmond, VA, I integrate creative processes with traditional therapy to help clients move from overwhelm to grounded awareness. You do not need to be “good at art” to benefit—this work is about process, not performance.
Art therapy is a way to access your inner wisdom, recognize parts of yourself that may have been forgotten, and look at things from a different perspective.
Ready to unlock your inner creativity and heal through the transformative power of art therapy?
If you’re looking for a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming therapist offering art therapy in Richmond, VA, I’d love to work with you. I offer virtual expressive arts sessions for adults.