Expressive Arts Therapists in San Mateo, CA
Daniela Portillo
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
Through traditional talk therapy and an Expressive Arts lens, we can incorporate various modalities to support your growth.
Currently accepting virtual appointments! I am a Bilingual Licensed MFT with a Master’s in Counseling and a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy. I work with a diverse population including adolescents, adults, and families.
Through traditional talk therapy and an Expressive Arts lens, we can incorporate various modalities to support your growth.
Currently accepting virtual appointments! I am a Bilingual Licensed MFT with a Master’s in Counseling and a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy. I work with a diverse population including adolescents, adults, and families.
Tina Mizukami
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, RYT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94402 (Online Only)
Trained in expressive arts/drama therapy, EMDR, as well as talk therapy, I have witnessed the power of creative expression to accelerate the therapeutic process.
Have you suffered a loss, experienced some traumatic event or lived through an unexpected change or transition? Are you feeling lost, missing a connection with yourself and/or others? Or, are you finding yourself stuck in unhelpful patterns in your relationships, school/work, and the ways you see yourself? I see psychotherapy as an opportunity for you to be with yourself - authentically and constructively. My intention is to create a safe place where you can experience solace, explore solutions creatively, and discover your needs while learning how to ask for them.
Trained in expressive arts/drama therapy, EMDR, as well as talk therapy, I have witnessed the power of creative expression to accelerate the therapeutic process.
Have you suffered a loss, experienced some traumatic event or lived through an unexpected change or transition? Are you feeling lost, missing a connection with yourself and/or others? Or, are you finding yourself stuck in unhelpful patterns in your relationships, school/work, and the ways you see yourself? I see psychotherapy as an opportunity for you to be with yourself - authentically and constructively. My intention is to create a safe place where you can experience solace, explore solutions creatively, and discover your needs while learning how to ask for them.
Teresa Trout
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
I'm not going to lie, personal growth and healing can be hard work. But it can also be playful and (dare I say) fun. I seek to co-create a supportive safe space for your self-exploration. My approach is collaborative and rooted in the belief that you are the expert of you. In addition to talk therapy, I specialize in Expressive Arts (EXA) Therapy. EXA Therapy uses the creative arts (visual art, music, movement, writing, drama) to explore and process your lived experiences. Do not fear, you do not have to be “good” at art! This process is about what emerges during the process of creative expression and what it means to you.
I'm not going to lie, personal growth and healing can be hard work. But it can also be playful and (dare I say) fun. I seek to co-create a supportive safe space for your self-exploration. My approach is collaborative and rooted in the belief that you are the expert of you. In addition to talk therapy, I specialize in Expressive Arts (EXA) Therapy. EXA Therapy uses the creative arts (visual art, music, movement, writing, drama) to explore and process your lived experiences. Do not fear, you do not have to be “good” at art! This process is about what emerges during the process of creative expression and what it means to you.
My practice provide a safe, comfortable environment, based on principles of acceptance, non-judgment, and compassion. I'm addressing a wide range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-image, eating disorders, complex trauma, grief and loss, and issues relating to adjusting to a new country. As an Expressive-Arts therapist, I offer my clients the option to use their creativity, their body, and music, as avenues to explore their feelings and express themselves.
My practice provide a safe, comfortable environment, based on principles of acceptance, non-judgment, and compassion. I'm addressing a wide range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-image, eating disorders, complex trauma, grief and loss, and issues relating to adjusting to a new country. As an Expressive-Arts therapist, I offer my clients the option to use their creativity, their body, and music, as avenues to explore their feelings and express themselves.
There isn't one formula that works for everyone, and so I have been trained in a range of modalities including: relational psychodynamic therapy, expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, DBT, transpersonal psychology, and family systems.
Most of us lug around a suitcase full of our thoughts, feelings, family history and past experiences and have no idea what's in there. Our current responses to and experience of life come from the contents of that suitcase. Together in therapy we gently unpack it. We will see what is working for you, what needs more support and what has served it's purpose but no longer works. I work collaboratively and am curious about all the things that make you who you are. I am particularly interested in working with people who feel misunderstood or unimportant.
There isn't one formula that works for everyone, and so I have been trained in a range of modalities including: relational psychodynamic therapy, expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, DBT, transpersonal psychology, and family systems.
Most of us lug around a suitcase full of our thoughts, feelings, family history and past experiences and have no idea what's in there. Our current responses to and experience of life come from the contents of that suitcase. Together in therapy we gently unpack it. We will see what is working for you, what needs more support and what has served it's purpose but no longer works. I work collaboratively and am curious about all the things that make you who you are. I am particularly interested in working with people who feel misunderstood or unimportant.
Fierce Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
I will incorporate expressive arts, music, the sense of smell, and mindfulness & gratitude.
I believe in meeting the client where they are, facing the issues presented with an open mind, and to always establish healthy boundaries. My approach is to help manage life's transitions together in a way that provides a nurturing & empathetic experience.
I will incorporate expressive arts, music, the sense of smell, and mindfulness & gratitude.
I believe in meeting the client where they are, facing the issues presented with an open mind, and to always establish healthy boundaries. My approach is to help manage life's transitions together in a way that provides a nurturing & empathetic experience.
Jennifer Martin
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
I graduated from California Institute of Integral Studies with a Masters in Counseling Psychology, and have done extensive training in Person-Centered Expressive Arts. My clinical background includes focus on community based mental health, family and child therapy, grief and loss, and complex trauma. I currently work in private practice and also as a supervisor at a community based mental health agency.
I graduated from California Institute of Integral Studies with a Masters in Counseling Psychology, and have done extensive training in Person-Centered Expressive Arts. My clinical background includes focus on community based mental health, family and child therapy, grief and loss, and complex trauma. I currently work in private practice and also as a supervisor at a community based mental health agency.
Dr. Rachael M Rosenberg
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401
I specialize in Transpersonal Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy, offering my expertise to girls and women of all ages.
Are you ready to rediscover inner peace, perhaps for the first time? Do you crave the confidence to embrace and express your authentic self? I'm here to guide you on this healing Journey. Hi, I'm Dr. Rachael Rosenberg, a dedicated therapist serving the Bay Area since 2009. My passion lies in helping girls and women reignite their path to becoming the person they aspire to be. Life often throws emotional curveballs, doubts, and challenges our way. I'm your steadfast companion in navigating the unknown, guiding you towards a place where you can feel truly grounded within yourself.
I specialize in Transpersonal Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy, offering my expertise to girls and women of all ages.
Are you ready to rediscover inner peace, perhaps for the first time? Do you crave the confidence to embrace and express your authentic self? I'm here to guide you on this healing Journey. Hi, I'm Dr. Rachael Rosenberg, a dedicated therapist serving the Bay Area since 2009. My passion lies in helping girls and women reignite their path to becoming the person they aspire to be. Life often throws emotional curveballs, doubts, and challenges our way. I'm your steadfast companion in navigating the unknown, guiding you towards a place where you can feel truly grounded within yourself.
Sonja Wishard
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, AMFT, ATR
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401
I support individuals and families in coping with challenges related to anxiety, depression, relational issues, and trauma, with a specialization in managing chronic pain, adjusting to illness, and processing grief and loss. Whether you or your family is navigating a major life transition, struggling interpersonally, or grappling with a medical diagnosis, I'm here to help.
I support individuals and families in coping with challenges related to anxiety, depression, relational issues, and trauma, with a specialization in managing chronic pain, adjusting to illness, and processing grief and loss. Whether you or your family is navigating a major life transition, struggling interpersonally, or grappling with a medical diagnosis, I'm here to help.
I am curious about any ways you might have been cut off from parts of your essential nature early in life. As a child perhaps you sang loudly, told jokes, danced and laughed easily and too much - but soon got the message that you should be more composed and quieter. Or perhaps you spoke your mind at the dinner table, but later you learned to keep your sharp wit and astute insights to yourself because you were encouraged to be agreeable. Maybe your independent nature got buried under 6 feet of niceness. The exiled parts emerge as dark moods, irritability, resentment, avoidant or anxious attachment. They surface as symptoms.
I am curious about any ways you might have been cut off from parts of your essential nature early in life. As a child perhaps you sang loudly, told jokes, danced and laughed easily and too much - but soon got the message that you should be more composed and quieter. Or perhaps you spoke your mind at the dinner table, but later you learned to keep your sharp wit and astute insights to yourself because you were encouraged to be agreeable. Maybe your independent nature got buried under 6 feet of niceness. The exiled parts emerge as dark moods, irritability, resentment, avoidant or anxious attachment. They surface as symptoms.
Michelle Leao, MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94402
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that works with children, couples, families, and individuals that are experiencing relational challenges in their lives and are in need of healthier emotional experiences and accompanying behaviors. My goal is to help clients navigate the complexities of life with a sense of security, peace, and learning. I have extensive history working with individuals, families and couples who are strained from challenging behaviors, unproductive familial patterns, and ongoing parent-child conflict.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that works with children, couples, families, and individuals that are experiencing relational challenges in their lives and are in need of healthier emotional experiences and accompanying behaviors. My goal is to help clients navigate the complexities of life with a sense of security, peace, and learning. I have extensive history working with individuals, families and couples who are strained from challenging behaviors, unproductive familial patterns, and ongoing parent-child conflict.
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Blanca Pena, LMFT 138765, is an integrative therapist who aims to match evidence-based treatments with each client's particular concern(s), and to discover and understand the individual's personality traits, preferences, needs, spiritual beliefs, openness, and motivation level. Specialize in Trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy Mindfulness, Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Crisis Management. I approach goal setting by meeting my clients where they are at and working together to find treatment goals based on their challenges.
Blanca Pena, LMFT 138765, is an integrative therapist who aims to match evidence-based treatments with each client's particular concern(s), and to discover and understand the individual's personality traits, preferences, needs, spiritual beliefs, openness, and motivation level. Specialize in Trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy Mindfulness, Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Crisis Management. I approach goal setting by meeting my clients where they are at and working together to find treatment goals based on their challenges.
Therapy can be uncomfortable, and challenging for folks because it causes them to confront unpleasant emotions or memories. Therapy can be helpful because those unpleasant things are often making people's lives difficult, and therapy can help create a place to better understand and deal with those uncomfortable things. I find that I work best with clients that want to address things that make them uncomfortable, but don't know how to do so, or are reluctant to do it alone.
Therapy can be uncomfortable, and challenging for folks because it causes them to confront unpleasant emotions or memories. Therapy can be helpful because those unpleasant things are often making people's lives difficult, and therapy can help create a place to better understand and deal with those uncomfortable things. I find that I work best with clients that want to address things that make them uncomfortable, but don't know how to do so, or are reluctant to do it alone.
I'm passionate about partnering with clients in their healing journey. I work collaboratively with my clients on embracing a new life narrative. I have experience working with couples, families that are in crisis, parenting difficulties, at-risk teens, survivors of domestic violence, individuals experiencing life transitions, as well as clients experiencing depression, anxiety, fears, anger management difficulties, and crisis. I believe you can write a new life narrative as you heal from trauma. Lastly, as you embark on this journey, I believe you can emerge whole, enlightened, and empowered on the other side.
I'm passionate about partnering with clients in their healing journey. I work collaboratively with my clients on embracing a new life narrative. I have experience working with couples, families that are in crisis, parenting difficulties, at-risk teens, survivors of domestic violence, individuals experiencing life transitions, as well as clients experiencing depression, anxiety, fears, anger management difficulties, and crisis. I believe you can write a new life narrative as you heal from trauma. Lastly, as you embark on this journey, I believe you can emerge whole, enlightened, and empowered on the other side.
Peggy Farrell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MEd, MA, LMFT, LPCC
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401
My formal name is Margaret but everyone calls me Peggy. I love to work with clients who are exploring who they are. Perhaps you feel like you have moments of feeling lonely and stuck? Perhaps your life events have made you feel separate and different from others? Maybe you have trouble focusing and your concentration can be spotty? You wonder how others see you and you want to fit in.
My formal name is Margaret but everyone calls me Peggy. I love to work with clients who are exploring who they are. Perhaps you feel like you have moments of feeling lonely and stuck? Perhaps your life events have made you feel separate and different from others? Maybe you have trouble focusing and your concentration can be spotty? You wonder how others see you and you want to fit in.
Christina Arguello
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CHT
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
Currently full - Are you struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or a lack of well-being and can't stop thinking about past hurtful events? I provide compassionate mindfulness-based trauma-informed therapy to individuals struggling with family and relationship conflict, grief & loss, the impact of trauma, and stress reduction. I believe that you deserve to be in a therapeutic relationship that is safe, validating, and collaborative. We all deserve this :)
Currently full - Are you struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or a lack of well-being and can't stop thinking about past hurtful events? I provide compassionate mindfulness-based trauma-informed therapy to individuals struggling with family and relationship conflict, grief & loss, the impact of trauma, and stress reduction. I believe that you deserve to be in a therapeutic relationship that is safe, validating, and collaborative. We all deserve this :)
Sarah T. Harkness
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RDT
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94402
Reaching out for help often takes time--there are so many reasons we give ourselves for putting it off! I recognize your courage for being here at this time. You are at the point in your life or in your relationship, in which taking action towards healing feels necessary. With warmth, creativity and insight, I help people who are yearning to live an authentic life - a life that is real, instead of perfect. One in which you learn to listen to your inner wisdom, to express your thoughts and feelings, and to face challenges with courage and integrity.
Reaching out for help often takes time--there are so many reasons we give ourselves for putting it off! I recognize your courage for being here at this time. You are at the point in your life or in your relationship, in which taking action towards healing feels necessary. With warmth, creativity and insight, I help people who are yearning to live an authentic life - a life that is real, instead of perfect. One in which you learn to listen to your inner wisdom, to express your thoughts and feelings, and to face challenges with courage and integrity.
San Mateo Child and Family Counseling Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401
I enjoy working with children, teens, individual adults, and couples! Are you stressed out because your child or teen is dealing with anxiety, depression, academic, or behavioral problems? Are you yourself feeling anxious, depressed? Are you struggling in your marriage to feel that emotional and physical connection you once felt? I believe you are unique and special, and I look forward to working together to create growth and change in your life. I am the owner of a group practice with seven therapists who work for me, and I enjoy connecting you with the therapist who is your best fit!
I enjoy working with children, teens, individual adults, and couples! Are you stressed out because your child or teen is dealing with anxiety, depression, academic, or behavioral problems? Are you yourself feeling anxious, depressed? Are you struggling in your marriage to feel that emotional and physical connection you once felt? I believe you are unique and special, and I look forward to working together to create growth and change in your life. I am the owner of a group practice with seven therapists who work for me, and I enjoy connecting you with the therapist who is your best fit!
Yael Gonicman
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94404 (Online Only)
Your therapeutic journey can be incredibly rewarding and difficult at the same time. Anxiety, trauma, and depression can make us feel lost and the road through is muddy and overwhelming. This is why having a guide that can understand you and meet you where you are, is incredibly important. It is my goal to help you navigate this voyage as well as hold and work through complex emotions as they fight with each other while at the same time cohabitating in the same space. I look forward to taking those first steps with you and take this journey together.
Your therapeutic journey can be incredibly rewarding and difficult at the same time. Anxiety, trauma, and depression can make us feel lost and the road through is muddy and overwhelming. This is why having a guide that can understand you and meet you where you are, is incredibly important. It is my goal to help you navigate this voyage as well as hold and work through complex emotions as they fight with each other while at the same time cohabitating in the same space. I look forward to taking those first steps with you and take this journey together.
Laurel Elliott
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
Hi, I’m Laurel. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and trained Drama Therapist based in California. I received my Master’s in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy. I help BIPOC/PGM, adults, teenagers and preteens (10-12) with stress management/coping skills, identity struggles, peer relationships and life transitions.
Hi, I’m Laurel. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and trained Drama Therapist based in California. I received my Master’s in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy. I help BIPOC/PGM, adults, teenagers and preteens (10-12) with stress management/coping skills, identity struggles, peer relationships and life transitions.
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Expressive Arts Therapists
What happens in expressive arts therapy?
In an expressive arts therapy session, the therapist will provide the space and materials necessary to encourage the client to express themselves creatively. These can include art supplies, musical instruments, a journal, a camera, and more. The therapist offers careful guidance throughout the creative process, often noticing and talking about psychological issues as they arise. Many clients also benefit from the mind-body connection—the physical act of making art can help them feel more grounded and present.
How long does expressive arts therapy take?
An expressive arts therapy session will typically last between 50 minutes and an hour. Group sessions may run longer. Sometimes, a client might only need one or two sessions of expressive arts therapy in conjunction with talk therapy to resolve a psychological issue. Others might find a fixed number of sessions over the course of either weeks or months to be beneficial. The duration depends on the client and their individual needs and goals for therapy.
How does expressive arts therapy help children?
Creativity is an important part of normal child development. Expressive arts therapy proves a safe outlet for child clients to learn to identify their emotions and express them in healthy ways. In expressive arts therapy, children can build their self-esteem, discover more about their personality and strengths, and feel a sense of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic world. This therapeutic approach can be particularly helpful for children with developmental disabilities, autism, ADHD, speech impairments, and other conditions.
What are the limitations of expressive arts therapy?
Sometimes individuals have physical limitations that can affect their ability to express themselves artistically in certain mediums. For example, someone with hearing problems might find it difficult to make music. Sickness and mobility issues can make some types of art physically inaccessible (e.g., sculpting, dancing, etc.). Sometimes, clients are overly skeptical and have trouble letting go and engaging with the creative process. Individuals who require a higher level of care may be better served with other types of therapy.