“Creativity Takes Courage”
Matisse says “Creativity takes courage.” And I wholeheartedly agree! So many people have shared with me their painful stories of when they learned it was not safe to create as a child. It is vulnerable to allow a part of your inner world to be seen in the outer world. You are taking a risk and venturing into the unknown and you don’t know what will happen. What if you could see the creative process as a playground? As a place to take risks and experiment without the weight of the outcome, the product? There could be so much potential to play, practice, and learn about yourself, especially when you know it is safe enough to risk it.
Andrew Huberman, PhD, a neuroscientist and professor of neurobiology at Stanford University, says that when we play we have an opportunity to see more possibilities in how we can interact with ourselves and the world. It increases our ability for neuroplasticity, which means we can change how our brain operates. We can discover new ways of being in this world. And that is one reason why art therapy can be so powerful. It gives us a creative way to explore our patterning. While growing up we all found ways to interact in the world that would increase feelings of safety, belonging and satisfaction, and as adults 95% of what we do is unconscious patterning. Art allows us to bring our patterns into our conscious awareness and question how those patterns are serving us now. It also allows us to see the truth under our patterning and truly understand what it feels like to be safe, connected, and satisfied.
So now bring in this intention, and the possibilities are endless. Art can help you feel safe to emotionally express. Art can support self-compassion. Art can help you feel safe to be seen. Art can allow you to find your truth. And you can play and make cool shit in the process! It can be awesome, rewarding and fun!
Why Is Art Therapeutic?
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Individual Art Experiences
There are two ways I have found to work individually with people creating art. For some they want the freedom to have a broader intention. They want more fluid growth and to allow the creative process to inform their learning. For people on this path, freedom to play is important. They want to explore ways to connect more deeply with their creativity and see what they discover. This path offers more of an open-ended style where you can choose how many sessions you would like and what the art activity is for the session. And of course, I will be providing suggestions and structure as needed.
For others, they have a more specific intention such as: cultivating more self-love and self compassion, integrating a psychedelic experience, increasing resilience, finding their creative voice through art, quieting a harsh inner-critic, etc. This path offers a more structured and curriculum based learning style where the amount of sessions, the intention, and the objectives are outlined before beginning to work together. I would like to note that although these are more structured sessions, I am always open to being flexible for what is truly needed in the moment.
Please note that this is different from therapy. Although doing this work is therapeutic, this is not therapy. This is coaching, which is tailored to explore your relationship to your creative process, change how you relate your life, and discover your deep truth.
Although I recommend we work in person, you are also able to do this this through Zoom if you have access to your own art materials.
PRICING:
One 90 minute session is $185
Four 90 minute sessions is $695
Six 90 minute sessions is $995 -
Art Groups
There are also two ways that I do art groups. First, I offer drop-in art groups. In these groups, you can drop-in whenever you are able. Who comes and the activities we do will change every time. This is a great way to dip your toes in and see how different art therapy is from traditional art classes. The first part of these groups is about creating safety and understanding the intentions of the group and from there we get to play together, create, and share. Some examples of what has been offered in the past is process art making, accessing gratitude through art, somatic emotional art making, holding duality through art, and the list goes on.
I also offer closed art groups. For these groups, it is a more structured curriculum based learning style where the amount of sessions, the intention, and the objectives are outlined before the group begins. Groups can run from 4 to 8 weeks, usually in the evening during the week. Some potential future groups I will be offering are: How to Cultivate Self-Love Through Art, Building Resilience Through Art, Befriending Your Inner-Critic and Feeling Safe To Create, and so much more. And I am always open to suggestions and supporting the needs that arise.
Please note that although these groups can be therapeutic, it is not intended to be a therapy group.
I have offered both in person and online groups, and I am always trying to meet the needs of who is wanting support. If you don’t see an offering that works for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
PRICING:
Drop-In Groups are $50
For Closed Groups, the price depends on group.
What People Are Saying
“I wasn’t sure what it would be like joining an art self-love group. It turns out the people that chose to invest in an art self-love class are my people! It didn’t take long for everyone to feel safe sharing wherever they were in that moment without editing themselves to be more ‘acceptable.’ Danielle leads you through an exercise, and with that direction, I never felt at a loss for what to draw/paint/make. I also wasn’t worried if my art skills or lack thereof could execute it. I left the group feeling that I had really connected with each person in the group, and feeling that I had a vested interest in how they are doing each week. The only negative was that it ended!”
— TIFFANY
“Danielle skillfully provided an intentional and safe container to explore the topic of self compassion by sharing readings, meditations, art directives, and insights. I enjoyed having that time set aside to really focus on myself and express myself through art. It felt wonderful to be seen and held by the other group members and by Danielle, and I felt honored to witness their personal expression and imagery. It was a sweet and special moment in my week to be able to connect with my fellow group members who were on a similar journey to explore self-compassion.”
— KRYSTAL