Our worldview is shaped by our experiences and relationships from childhood, through major life transitions, and by the responsibilities we face in adulthood. This baseline can be challenging on its own, but in a society that promotes a narrow definition of “normative” functioning, it might feel necessary to put aside our passions, our goals, and even parts of ourselves to placate others or meet expectations. This often comes at the cost of our mental health and compromises our ability to accept ourselves and be accepted just how we are. The first step towards breaking this cycle is to ask ourselves what changes we want to see.

I believe that people are experts in their own lives, and that my role is to help you refine the tools you carry within to cope with trauma, set healthy boundaries, and express yourself authentically. Art therapy is a tool for strengthening sensory and emotional connections, reflecting on past experiences, and finding new ways to communicate how we feel. This complements traditional therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to restructure automatic thought responses, and existential therapy, which empowers you to take control and define what meaningful change looks like in your life. My role is to provide an affirming, person-centered space for you to identify the systemic or personal barriers in your life, help you challenge what no longer fits in your worldview, and practice implementing the skills you learn. I approach therapy acknowledging that every individual is subject to the societal system we are a part of, which impacts us differently according to how we identify, appear, and are perceived; as such, I emphasize creating a therapeutic alliance that honors your lived experience and creates space for growth and change.