Art Therapy is for people of all ages and backgrounds. No matter your age, experience, or artistic ability, art therapy can provide a meaningful way to explore emotions, build self-awareness, and support personal growth.

Yes! Art therapy is a legitimate, recognized form of psychotherapy provided by trained, credentialed mental health professionals. Art therapists hold a master’s degree or higher in art therapy or a related specialized program, with comprehensive training in both psychotherapy and the visual arts.

Education for Art Therapists includes many of the same clinical foundations as other mental health professions, including theories of human development, psychological assessment, counseling and psychotherapy theories, ethics, and clinical practice. In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, art therapists receive specialized training in using art-making and the creative process as part of assessment, treatment, and therapeutic exploration.

Not at all! No previous art experience, artistic ability, or skill is necessary to benefit from Art Therapy. The focus is on the process, not the product. You don’t need to create something “good” or beautiful, the artwork is simply a tool for self-expression and exploration.

Art therapy sessions are individualized to meet each client’s unique needs, goals, and therapeutic process. While the content and focus of each session varies, sessions generally follow a consistent structure.

Sessions typically begin with a check-in to explore the client’s experiences and significant events since the previous session. This is followed by the fun stuff, creating and art-making, guided by the art therapist, with interventions tailored to the client’s therapeutic goals and needs. Time is then provided to reflect on and process the artwork and the creative experience, allowing space for exploration of emotions, thoughts, patterns, and personal meaning that may emerge. Sessions conclude with an opportunity to integrate insights from the therapeutic process and prepare for continued work between sessions.

Virtual art therapy allows you to participate in art therapy sessions remotely using a secure video platform. Virtual sessions are structured much like in-person sessions, except you’ll connect with your art therapist from the comfort of your own home and use materials you already have available (you don’t need anything fancy!). Make sure you have a quiet, comfortable, and private place to log into your session, art materials nearby, and a device that is charged and connected to the internet. 

In-Person: A wide variety of art materials and creative tools are available for you to explore during art therapy sessions. Materials are selected based on your individual needs, therapeutic goals, interests, and preferences, and there is no expectation that you have prior art experience or skills.

Available materials include traditional drawing and 2D media such as pencils, colored pencils, markers, and pastels; more sensory and process-oriented materials such as clay, paint, plaster, and papier-mâché; as well as soft and tactile materials including fiber arts and textiles. Beads, found objects, and other loose parts are also offered to be incorporated into creative exploration and art-making.

The materials used in a session are guided by the therapeutic process and what feels appropriate for you that day. If there is a particular material or creative medium you would like to explore that we do not currently have available, we are happy to discuss options for obtaining it.

Online: For virtual sessions, you will use materials you already have at home (no need for anything fancy!). If you need materials, reach out and we can send you an art supply starter kit for an additional fee. 

Art Therapy is different because you are guided by a highly trained and credentialed therapist who understands how to use the creative process as a tool for growth and healing. Unlike an art class, the focus is not on learning artistic skills or creating a finished product. Instead, the art-making process is used to explore thoughts, feelings, experiences, and personal goals in a supportive therapeutic environment.

No, Kindred Creative Art Therapy does not accept insurance. Clients are responsible for covering the cost of sessions.