I spent this past weekend in Vermont for a 2-day environmental art therapy workshop. In the days leading up to my trip I noticed the normal feelings of excitement that go along with getting away, as well as some skepticism regarding how the material would  translate to my life and work in the concrete jungle. It's natural and almost automatic for me to feel connected to nature from a mountaintop, but  how would this apply in a city where a patch of grass or single tree is often at nature-y as it gets? As is generally the case, my skepticism was completely unwarrented. In additi ..read more

Excited to announce that my blog has been included in FeedSpot's recent compilation of the Top 30 Art Therapy Blogs :)  Big thanks for all the support! Check out their comprehensive list for other art therapy related ideas and inspiration!  ..read more

Last posting I spoke about what to avoid for optimal zzz's. This week, let's focus on what to create! Establishing a bedtime ritual, i.e. following a consistent night-time routine, is an amazing way to prepare your mind and body for a good night's sleep. Here are some practices to incorporate as you begin establishing a ritual of your own.. - Be deliberate with your PJ's- Find something comfy and consistent that you can wear to bed each night. Be mindful of the fabric and fit. How does it feel on your body? Make it something you look forward to putting on. Changing into this special slee ..read more

How's your sleep?? Do you find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or maybe a combination of the two? If so, you're not alone. Studies from the Sleep Health Foundation. show that approximately 1 in 3 people have at least a mild form of insomnia. These sleep difficulties cause a decrease in energy, mood shifts, health declines, and cast an overall shadow on your quality of life. For many, you don't have to look far to find the culprit to these shut-eye struggles. In fact, you may  be holding it in your hand right now as you read this post.  You guessed it!--your cell phone ..read more

When feeling overwhelmed, do you find that your stressors are the basis of your conversations? If so, you could be perpetuating the issue. Although your stressors and feelings are all real, the words you speak actually trigger a biological response in your body. So talking about feeling stressed automatically causes your body to stress-  cortisol levels rise and neurotransmitters go into overdrive. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase and you find yourself feeling clammy, short of breath, and paralyzed by anxiety. Although this sounds pretty terrible, the solution is actually ..read more

It's Monday morning. Your alarm goes off and you're suddenly jolted from a dreamy state into complete frenzy. You race out of bed, into the shower, shove some food and coffee in your mouth, and as abruptly as you woke, are out the door for your morning commute. In less than an hour the entire weekend's relaxation and calm has been completed erased. Sound familiar? Try one of these quick-fixes to regain some grounding. On a time crunch? All take a minute or less!  Pet a pooch. Studies show that time with pups leads to healthy mind and heart.  Plug in your headphones and tune into yo ..read more

Let's face it- life is busy! There's work and relationships, extracurriculars (possibly even hobbies!), squeezing in exercise, endless errands ....it can feel like a constant juggling act! How do you maintain a sense of grounding and balance with all these balls in the air? Here's a simple focusing exercise to help you stay present in the moment, even with all the hustle and bustle. Best part is, it can be done almost anywhere! Use the below steps as an outline, improvising welcome... Focusing exercise: Take a deep breath in and a deep exhale out Look around you. Allow your eyes to settle on ..read more

Today marks the 1st day of spring! Although the streets are still lined with unmelted snow, the warmth from the sun is certainly giving the city a new and refreshed spring-time feel. I don't know about you, but I'm ready! This is the season of new life and growth. As you go about your day, try to make an effort to be present and mindful of your surroundings. Appreciate the bird's chirping and buds slowly pushing their way through the soil. How can you incorporate this growth into your own life? Try incorporating something new to really embrace the seasonal-spirit. Here are some ideas to ..read more

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Installation in-process....looking amazing!  In addition to my private practice, I work as the art therapist for an organization called Artistic Noise. Artistic Noise is a small grassroots that works with young people who are incarcerated, on probation, or otherwise involved in the juvenile justice system. Many of the youth we work with were not previously given the tools or space to express themselves creatively. All of a sudden they find themselves painting, drawing, sculpting….their thoughts and feelings coming to life before their eyes. At Artistic Noise we help provide a safe space ..read more