Licensed art therapist
Eden Pelkey, LCAT (they/them)
- neurodivergence
- complex trauma
- LGBTQIA+ issues
- gender-affirming care
- chronic illness & disability
Limited openings available @ Pittsford. Please contact for availability.
In-network with MVP. $125 self-pay rate.
As people, we often find ourselves feeling confined by the beliefs of friends, family, and society. It can be paralyzing trying to meet what are often conflicting expectations, leaving us with chronic feelings of anxiety, stress, and shame. It can feel as if you are compromising your true self to please other people, struggling to balance what you want for yourself and what others ask of you. Thinking about the person that you want to be can be stressful, but self-discovery is a crucial step towards leading a more fulfilled life.
Struggling with identity and self-confidence is a common issue for many LGBTQ+ people since stigma, discrimination, and trauma often accompany those who are a part of this community. As such, it can be difficult to find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore one’s identity. As a therapist, I employ aspects of Person Centered Art Therapy to create a space for uncensored self-exploration through the creation of artwork. Themes of approaching with curiosity, self-compassion, and self-worth are commonly explored. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) I help you address unhelpful and repetitive cycles of thoughts and actions that are hindering your ability to do the things you want to do. With trauma-informed and neurodivergent approaches I hope to help you identify barriers to taking action toward your values and life goals while learning to maximize on your own unique skill set. Overall I believe that my role as a therapist is to support you in your journey toward an authentic and fulfilling life, while gently challenging and helping you process experiences from your past that may be keeping you stuck.
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”
aristotle
Get To Know Pelkey!
Education & Training
I have a MS in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College. In undergrad, I minored in disability studies in addition to art and psychology.
I’ve completed trainings in trauma-informed care, primarily Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I absolutely love reading research articles, which keeps me up to date on the latest evidenced-based treatments.
client focus
I work with neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism) people age 12 and up, with a focus on LGBTQ+ issues. I also have experience working with ARFID, OCD, rejection sensitivity, chronic illness, and religious trauma.
Therapeutic approaches
I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to encourage both living a life true to what clients value as well as to help with coping with a world that is not built for neurodivergent and disabled people. I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but with a focus on developing CBT interventions/coping skills that work for the neurodivergent brain.
areas of specialization
What does a session with you look like?
My sessions usually begin with a transition period; a check-in and offering an art directive. In addition to guided art-making, I encourage personal projects. Art making is inherently therapeutic and any kind of creating can be part of the process. I tend to choose art directives that can be interpreted abstractly OR concretely to work best with how the neurodivergent brain handles tasks. I take a conversational approach to discussing therapeutic topics to create as comfortable of an environment as possible. I believe that having a laid back approach to sessions helps encourage open discussion.
How do I know if we're a good fit?
I find that the first change a lot of my clients see, usually within the first few months, is feeling more comfortable accommodating themselves. I tend to focus early sessions on developing coping strategies and then also implementing them, which is often the more challenging part. If clients find this type of step-by-step input helpful, then we will likely be able to work well together in the longterm.
