THERAPEUTIC ART

Therapeutic Art at Drawing Close utilizes the healing benefits of art-making combined with spiritual direction to relieve stress, express bottled up emotions and process the parts of life that feel messy, hard, or complicated. In this way, the art becomes an honest form of prayer; a way of drawing close to God with us in our deepest joys, hopes, fears, hurts, doubts & longings.

WHO'S THERAPEUTIC ART FOR?

Many who arrive into Therapeutic Art at Drawing Close are stressed & struggling; carrying bottled up emotions like stress, grief, anger, & trauma. These emotions might be easily named and bubbling just under the surface; needing a place to be expressed or held. Or, you may also feel disconnected from how these emotions are showing up in your body; making it hard to find the words to express how you feel.

Either way, you long for ways to pray that deal honestly with the stresses and messes of everyday life, but don't know how (and might wonder if the emotions you need to express to God are even allowed).

HOW DOES ART HELP?

Friend, Therapeutic Art is a nonjudgmental space for you to show up messy and bring your whole self. A spacious hour with a trained guide to help you let go of perfection, process bottled up emotions, and explore your humanity with God- through art as honest prayer.

Sessions are offered online as a way to explore your thoughts, emotions & experiences through art and with the intention of locating God's presence with you in them. Oftentimes, this means working to develop a healthy image of God, discern Love's voice apart from your inner critic and reintegrate your "unloveable" parts, thus cultivating a deeper sense of connection & belonging within yourself and with God.

WHAT'S A SESSION LIKE?

We'll begin with a brief check in and an optional Welcoming Prayer. You will then be invited to engage in art-making as a way to express & explore how you feel- no matter how icky, ugly or messy. As you're creating, I will quietly observe & bear witness to the sacred story being told as if the art were talking. With our remaining time, we will then process the art in spiritual direction; exploring your humanity with God and noticing where Love might be showing up within it.

Online sessions are non-clinical, offered through a trauma-informed lens and gently guided by Esmé, a certified spiritual director and Therapeutic Art Guide. I welcome those who are stressed, struggling, wounded & weary.

FREE HELLO SESSION

FAQs

what are your qualifications?

I'm a certified and Ignatian trained spiritual director with a Bachelor's degree in Art and a coaching certification in Therapeutic Arts.

I take a whole-person approach; offering direction through a trauma informed lens and with underpinnings in somatic (body) awareness and integrative parts work (IFS). Living with cPTSD also equips me with compassion for those carrying heavy burdens along their spiritual journey.

Are you a therapist? How is Therapeutic Art different from Art Therapy?

I am well trained to listen with compassion and support your overall mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, but I am NOT a licensed therapist and sessions are non-clinical. Unlike therapy or counseling, I will not attempt to heal your past, solve your problems, fix your relationships, or change your behaviors. I also cannot diagnose or treat specific mental health conditions.

What if I'm not an artist? Will you teach me?

Friend, you are not a mistake that needs fixing and we don’t create for anyone’s approval (which for many is part of the healing process).

You might feel like you don’t have a creative bone in your body. That’s OK! Whatever you bring to the page is enough. These sessions are an opportunity to let go of perfection and draw close to Love with you in the process- no matter how messy it may seem.

What are your rates?

Sessions are 1-2x per month and offered on a sliding scale to acknowledge wage gaps that exist among marginalized groups including LGBTQIA+, People of Color, neurodivergent folks, people with disabilities, & single parents. A limited number of scholarships are also available to those navigating a season of loss or upheaval.

Standard Rate: $180

Diversity Rate: $150

Scholarship Rate: $120

Sessions with Esmé have helped me to process some of my grief about losing a child and also to accept my painful emotions and see them through God's eyes.

Anne (she/her)