Picture yourself entering into a warm, inviting space stocked with art supplies of many kinds– the shelves are lined with different shades of acrylic paint, packs of chalk and oil pastels, brushes of different shapes and sizes, a table covered with different varieties of paper, materials, fabrics, and containers of clay.
You’re in a tranquil environment where you can feel safe and relaxed. While you are in this space, you are encouraged to let go of any preconceived notions or judgments. Simply immerse yourself within the creative process.
This is what you can expect from art therapy.
During a session, you may find yourself at a table with a canvas, dipping your brush into a palette with a variety of vibrant colors, and finding that you diffuse your emotions through each stroke of paint.
It can also look like utilizing different collage materials, such as textured paper or magazine cutouts. You’re feeling the roughness of the paper, or the smoothness of fabric under your fingertips.
While you engage in the creative process, the art therapist gently guides you, readily offering support and encouragement, yet also allowing you to voice your inner thoughts and feelings throughout your creation.
In these types of therapy sessions, there is no right or wrong way to work, and no pressure to create something “perfect”. These sessions are curated to grant you the freedom of expression to create whatever feels right to you.
Your artwork made during an art therapy session may help you reflect on what may be going on for you internally, while also functioning as a tangible expression of your thoughts or feelings. Towards the end of a session, when you step back and look over your work, you may discover new insights, feelings of relief, or generate a sensation of inner peace and closure that comes from having expressed yourself in a safe and supportive environment.
Meet Our NJ Art Therapists
Hello, I’m Ellis (she/her). I’m an art therapist with over 25 years of experience helping people ranging in age from 8-82. My clients discover their creativity as a way to heal, reflect, and grow. I support children, teens, adults, and older adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or simply trying to find their place in the world.
My approach is calm, grounded, and collaborative. You don’t need to consider yourself an “artist” to work with me—just bring your willingness to try it. Whether we’re drawing, painting, using clay, mosaics, or finding your favorite medium along the way, each session becomes a space to slow down, listen inward, and discover new parts of yourself.
I often hear from clients that the art process helps them say what words can’t. In our work together, you may find comfort in the creative rhythm of making or uncover solutions and insights that surprise you. You may even discover a new sense of empowerment through learning new artistic skills along the way.
I meet with clients in my private art therapy studio, a cozy and creative space just a short walk from Mindful Connections Counseling in Metuchen. This space was designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and grounding.
I’m Jayln (she/her, they/them), and I’m a 26-year-old Black, queer individual. I’m a dedicated art therapist with a deep passion for both art and helping others. My love for creativity and artistic expression fuels my commitment to providing a supportive and empathetic therapeutic experience. With a background in various art forms, media, and materials, I understand the power of art as a medium for self-discovery and emotional healing. I am enthusiastic about using my knowledge of art therapy to connect with clients, facilitate meaningful expression, and guide individuals through their therapeutic journeys. My goal is to create a nurturing environment where clients can explore and grow.
I will be working under the supervision of Ellis Eisner, LPAT, ATR-BC & Lauren Grossbach, LMFT, serving Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge with in-person therapy, and the entire state with online therapy in New Jersey.
What is art therapy, and how does it work?
Art therapy is a mental health profession and treatment approach that uses active art making, the creative process, and psychological theory to help individuals express their emotions, process their thoughts, and explore their inner experiences. Art therapy is beneficial as a non-verbal outlet for self-expression, particularly when clients are in crisis or are not able to verbalize their emotions or thoughts through words.
Art therapy can lead to improvements in:
- Coping skills
- Self-esteem
- Cognitive functioning
- Motor functioning
- Locus of control
- Emotional regulation
- Self-expression
- Collaboration with others, and more
The overall goal of art therapy is not to create a perfect or aesthetically pleasing work of art, but more so, to focus on the experience of creation itself as a means of healing, self-discovery, and overall emotional growth.
Whether you best express yourself through drawing, painting, sculpting, fiber arts, or other forms of artistic expression, art therapy cultivates a safe and supportive space in which anyone can work. Art therapy sessions can include becoming familiar with mediums and processes, such as:
- Bilateral drawing
- Paints (watercolor, acrylic, tempera, etc.)
- Colored pencils
- Graphite pencils
- Charcoal
- Pastels (oil & chalk)
- Clay/sculpture
- Collage work
- Mixed media art
- Fiber arts
Who can benefit from art therapy?
Art Therapy For Kids
Art Therapy can be a great treatment approach for children, as it aids in fostering a safe and creative environment for them to express their emotions without having to fully rely on words. Their artwork can function as their voice, allowing them to express feelings such as fear, sadness, or joy in a way that feels natural and unforced. Through engaging in the creative process, children can also work with an art therapist to help build their confidence and self-esteem, creating a strong sense of accomplishment through their artistic creations.
Are you and your little one still feeling hesitant about art therapy? You can expect sessions to typically start with gentle warm-up exercises, designed to ease into the creative process. These activities are introductory in nature, in order to help create a sense of comfort and curiosity, or even jumpstart the creative process before diving into more in-depth therapeutic work. Our overall goal is to collaborate and create a supportive space where you and your child can explore and further express yourself through artwork at your own pace.
Art Therapy For Adolescents & Adults
Many people often think of art therapy as a treatment approach that is only beneficial for children; however, that is far from the truth. Art Therapy is versatile in nature and can offer a unique way for anyone to explore and process thoughts and emotions beyond the scope of words alone. Whether you are dealing with depression, chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma, the creative process can be beneficial. It may be meditative and calming, or perhaps a route of discovery. Art making may help you find release from the pressures of daily life by keeping you connected to the present moment.
Through art therapy, you or your loved ones can experience self-exploration and personal growth. It is not necessary to consider yourself “an artist” to benefit from art therapy. We will help you engage in creative expression and ignite your love for creativity at your own pace. Other potential benefits of art therapy are aiding in promoting cognitive function, and to investigate new ways of coping with life’s challenges. Art therapy is here to support you as you consider exploring a new path towards healing through the power of creativity.
Art Therapy For Trauma & Grief
When we experience trauma and grief, words can be either too difficult or painful to express. Art therapy has aided children, teens, and adults in communication when words are insufficient. Individuals and families may find a new self-narrative and ultimately emotional resilience in the capacity of art therapy.
Developmental Art Therapy
Art Therapy can be a powerful tool aiding children to further develop their cognitive and motor skills through art making. Activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting encourage children to practice fine motor skills, thus enhancing their hand-eye coordination. It also encourages problem-solving, planning, and decision-making.
To give an example, when a child chooses colors for their palettes or relies on certain shapes to create a picture, they’re not only expressing themselves but also strengthening their abilities to focus, organize thoughts, or even think critically. Art Therapy is a hands-on, engaging treatment modality that can support a child’s overall development and often facilitates growth in children who may struggle with traditional learning methods.
Managing Anxiety Through Therapeutic Art
Anxiety and constant worry need creative outlets for some of the more uncomfortable feelings. Art therapy is it! Through therapeutic art making, individuals can achieve relaxation while they practice mindfulness and utilize the creative process to ground themselves in the present moment. The creative process can also encourage cognitive reframing and emotional regulation, as art therapy can help participants develop healthy coping strategies. By fostering self-awareness and resiliency in a safe, non-judgmental space, art therapy can empower clients to navigate their anxiety while also encouraging them to find a sense of inner peace and
Can Art Therapy Help With Anxiety? And What Does An Art Therapy Session Look Like?
The session begins with a guided drawing exercise to help you loosen up. Your art therapist introduces a variety of materials such as textured papers, colored pencils, watercolor, clay, etc. Exercises are suggested that help your natural creativity express itself.
As you work, you may find yourself focusing on various textures, sensations, and even smells of the materials. Utilizing the different senses anchors one’s self in the present moment. Perhaps you may find yourself creating a visual representation of your emotions, thoughts, or even what your anxiety looks like. This is all, of course, up to you. Your art therapist is there as your “third hand,” assisting you in the process. You may find that you can then practice mindfulness in and out of your sessions.
The session will conclude with you and your art therapist discussing how the process felt for you, as well as personalized strategies for incorporating the grounding techniques into your daily life. By the end of the session, you will leave the space feeling accomplished. As well as with a deeper understanding of stress management and a physical representation of what the creative process was like for you.
Learn More About Art Therapy For Mental Health In New Jersey
If you are still finding yourself unsure of whether art therapy is the right fit for you, your child, or even your family, it’s important to remember one thing: art therapy isn’t about being a skilled artist. Art therapy is focused on utilizing creativity as a tool to help you heal and explore different facets of who you are. Many people have found that when words do not seem readily accessible, art can help communicate some of those difficult feelings and thoughts that are hard to describe. Additionally, creating artwork can also reduce stress or even help you gain a new perspective on your current situation. Art therapy can be tailored to each and every individual, so even if you are feeling hesitant, your art therapist can work with you to adapt sessions to your unique needs and comfort level.
Whether you may be dealing with crippling anxiety, struggling with processing intense feelings, or even looking for a new way to connect and grow, art therapy can offer a gentle, effective approach to healing that you may not have considered before. It’s a powerful approach that has been proven to help many people, and it could just be the unique approach that you or your child needs to feel more grounded and understood.
Start Therapeutic Art Therapy in Metuchen, NJ
You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Art therapy can help you process emotions, build self-awareness, and discover new pathways to healing through creative expression. Our Metuchen location has caring art therapists who specialize in using creativity as a tool for transformation. To start your art therapy journey, follow these simple steps:
- Contact Mindful Connections Counseling
- Meet with one of the art therapists on our amazing team
- Watch yourself flourish through the power of creative healing!
Art Therapy is not the only service we offer at Mindful Connections Counseling in NJ. Other mental health services Mindful Connections Counseling offers includes couples therapy, trauma therapy, grief counseling, eating disorders treatment, race-related stress counseling, new parent counseling, EMDR and more. Contact us today, to learn more about Art Therapy, and other services we provide that may be helpful to you!
Online Art Therapy in New Jersey
Creating art can be a powerful way to express what words cannot, and now you can experience this therapeutic process from your own space. Our online art therapy services connect you with experienced art therapists who guide you through creative expression using materials you have at home or can easily gather. Through secure video sessions, you’ll receive the same warm, supportive guidance as in-person sessions while working with drawing, painting, collage, or other art forms in an environment where you feel most comfortable. Online art therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules and eliminates travel barriers, making creative healing accessible when and where you need it most.