Expressive Arts Therapists in Torrance, CA
I truly value my connection with people, making every effort to understand their needs. As a clinical psychologist, practicing in the South Bay for the past 20+ years, my focus has included comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of children and adults, as well as individual therapy using expressive arts and cognitive behavioral interventions. Whether it is in the context of an evaluation, consultation, or individual therapy, my goal in working together is to discover new ways of overcoming challenges and to bring about a more balanced, mindful way of living.
I truly value my connection with people, making every effort to understand their needs. As a clinical psychologist, practicing in the South Bay for the past 20+ years, my focus has included comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of children and adults, as well as individual therapy using expressive arts and cognitive behavioral interventions. Whether it is in the context of an evaluation, consultation, or individual therapy, my goal in working together is to discover new ways of overcoming challenges and to bring about a more balanced, mindful way of living.
Theresa Goldstein
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified Verified
8 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90503
I encourage creativity and curiosity throughout the therapy process and incorporate talk therapy and expressive arts therapy, as way to more deeply process emotions.
Clients who work with me often struggle with daily stressors & transitions, depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, chronic illness, and relational and attachment issues. There comes a time when everyone needs a little support navigating life’s challenges.
I encourage creativity and curiosity throughout the therapy process and incorporate talk therapy and expressive arts therapy, as way to more deeply process emotions.
Clients who work with me often struggle with daily stressors & transitions, depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, chronic illness, and relational and attachment issues. There comes a time when everyone needs a little support navigating life’s challenges.
Lisa Richards
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, BCD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90503
What would it mean to you, to flourish and thrive? How can you use your experiences~all of them~for good? What will we learn from you? How do you want to leave the world a better place because of you? You are that important. I am a Board Certified Diplomat in clinical social work with over thirty-five years of experience. I believe that we learn and teach in every moment, and it is rewarding for me to help clients grow their authentic power. Life is full of lessons, gifts and opportunities, when we learn to receive them.
What would it mean to you, to flourish and thrive? How can you use your experiences~all of them~for good? What will we learn from you? How do you want to leave the world a better place because of you? You are that important. I am a Board Certified Diplomat in clinical social work with over thirty-five years of experience. I believe that we learn and teach in every moment, and it is rewarding for me to help clients grow their authentic power. Life is full of lessons, gifts and opportunities, when we learn to receive them.
Tania S Dow
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, EMDR
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90505 (Online Only)
I believe that every person is unique and has their own story. I feel honored that I have been selected to share their story and to be a part of their healing journey. With compassion, kindness, non-judgment, and support, I help my clients make sense of their major life events so they take the next steps in their lives. It is a great privilege to see my clients gain insight into their lives, manage their difficulties more effectively, make positive changes, increase awareness, and improve themselves. I look forward to meeting you and participating in your healing experience.
I believe that every person is unique and has their own story. I feel honored that I have been selected to share their story and to be a part of their healing journey. With compassion, kindness, non-judgment, and support, I help my clients make sense of their major life events so they take the next steps in their lives. It is a great privilege to see my clients gain insight into their lives, manage their difficulties more effectively, make positive changes, increase awareness, and improve themselves. I look forward to meeting you and participating in your healing experience.
Aileen B. Cho
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RDT/BCT, CEDS
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90503 (Online Only)
In my practice, I offer support and guidance with responsiveness, empathy, creativity, and psychological insight as you face life's difficulties and transitions. I work with both trauma-related and pervasive mental illnesses to ordinary life events and challenges. As your therapist, my job is to help you tap into the limitless storehouse of resilience inside of you and your innate ability to heal, move towards health and wholeness, and not just survive, but thrive in this world. Together, we can transform the poison in your life into the medicine of wisdom and compassion.
In my practice, I offer support and guidance with responsiveness, empathy, creativity, and psychological insight as you face life's difficulties and transitions. I work with both trauma-related and pervasive mental illnesses to ordinary life events and challenges. As your therapist, my job is to help you tap into the limitless storehouse of resilience inside of you and your innate ability to heal, move towards health and wholeness, and not just survive, but thrive in this world. Together, we can transform the poison in your life into the medicine of wisdom and compassion.
Dr. Carol Francis & Associates
Psychologist, PsyD, MA, CHT, MFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90503
Stressed, unhappy, unfocused, unmotivated? A distant, angry relationship that was loving, romantic, or safe? Wish to improve your ability to focus, relax, not worry? Considering changes in your career, relationship? Confused by your marriage, by being new parents or by your child or teenager? Want to stop smoking with hypnosis? Wish you could like yourself, feel attractive, smart, energetic & successful? Feel stuck, blocked, uncertain, discouraged? Afraid of public speaking or socializing at work? Suffer awful abuse? Have you and your partner been fighting? Need to learn to solve problems in your team?
Stressed, unhappy, unfocused, unmotivated? A distant, angry relationship that was loving, romantic, or safe? Wish to improve your ability to focus, relax, not worry? Considering changes in your career, relationship? Confused by your marriage, by being new parents or by your child or teenager? Want to stop smoking with hypnosis? Wish you could like yourself, feel attractive, smart, energetic & successful? Feel stuck, blocked, uncertain, discouraged? Afraid of public speaking or socializing at work? Suffer awful abuse? Have you and your partner been fighting? Need to learn to solve problems in your team?
Eliza McKenna, LCSW, based in California, from the east coast. I'm a mom and hobby gardener and artist. I approach my practice with Humanism and strive to co-create insight and transformation with clients. I've worked on helplines, in child protection, with the seriously mentally ill, and as a psychotherapist in psychiatric clinics. In addition to private practice, I help run an Employee Assistance Program, and manage a number of employee health programs. My approach to providing therapy moves through the four noble truths. We diagnose the suffering and identify its cause.
Eliza McKenna, LCSW, based in California, from the east coast. I'm a mom and hobby gardener and artist. I approach my practice with Humanism and strive to co-create insight and transformation with clients. I've worked on helplines, in child protection, with the seriously mentally ill, and as a psychotherapist in psychiatric clinics. In addition to private practice, I help run an Employee Assistance Program, and manage a number of employee health programs. My approach to providing therapy moves through the four noble truths. We diagnose the suffering and identify its cause.
Hi, my name is Carlo and my goal is to help individuals, couples, and families find healing, improve their mental health, and restore interpersonal relationships. Most of my clinical work focus on issues of grief, depression, anxiety, and trauma. In our sessions, we explore the deeper root causes issues and work together towards healing and growth. My clinical work also seeks to integrate psychology, spirituality, and faith.
Hi, my name is Carlo and my goal is to help individuals, couples, and families find healing, improve their mental health, and restore interpersonal relationships. Most of my clinical work focus on issues of grief, depression, anxiety, and trauma. In our sessions, we explore the deeper root causes issues and work together towards healing and growth. My clinical work also seeks to integrate psychology, spirituality, and faith.
Niparpon Vonghong Johansen
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, ATR
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90501 (Online Only)
Please do not call; instead, please email me. I am a trauma-focused, EMDR-certified, clinical registered Art Therapist, and Marriage and Family Therapist. My offering is for you, who wish to understand how your mind develops and how your body reacts to specific people or situations. The past has shaped our personality and habits, causing daily life difficulties. We will explore your past traumatic experiences so that we can identify the root cause(s) of the presenting symptoms and be free to have choices and wisdom, thus taking action for a healthier future.
Please do not call; instead, please email me. I am a trauma-focused, EMDR-certified, clinical registered Art Therapist, and Marriage and Family Therapist. My offering is for you, who wish to understand how your mind develops and how your body reacts to specific people or situations. The past has shaped our personality and habits, causing daily life difficulties. We will explore your past traumatic experiences so that we can identify the root cause(s) of the presenting symptoms and be free to have choices and wisdom, thus taking action for a healthier future.
Paula Ong
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90503 (Online Only)
You might be feeling stressed, lost, confused, overwhelmed, or stuck. Your thoughts and emotions feel “too much” that you just want them to stop. Maybe you've had enough of behavior patterns that get in the way of your self and your relationships. Maybe you've experienced life events that hold you back from being your most self. Or maybe you are unsure of where to even start. But here you are open to learning different ways of coping, being, and living. I can provide services for children, teens, and adults for online individual therapy.
You might be feeling stressed, lost, confused, overwhelmed, or stuck. Your thoughts and emotions feel “too much” that you just want them to stop. Maybe you've had enough of behavior patterns that get in the way of your self and your relationships. Maybe you've experienced life events that hold you back from being your most self. Or maybe you are unsure of where to even start. But here you are open to learning different ways of coping, being, and living. I can provide services for children, teens, and adults for online individual therapy.
Charleen Meyer
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, ATR, SEP
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90505
This can’t be your life! You’ve been hanging by a thread. You can’t quiet your thoughts and the overwhelm consumes you. The tension that plagues your mind and body refuses to be ignored. Intuitively, you know something’s not right. You’re struggling to get things done – this is so unlike you. You're in a haze and unable to pinpoint when things became so unmanageable. Struggling to keep up is draining the life out of you. Now you’re the micro-manager, clinging to control and scared to let go. You’re an emotional baggage claim, harboring all the emotions you never processed. You resent feeling this way. Something has to change.
This can’t be your life! You’ve been hanging by a thread. You can’t quiet your thoughts and the overwhelm consumes you. The tension that plagues your mind and body refuses to be ignored. Intuitively, you know something’s not right. You’re struggling to get things done – this is so unlike you. You're in a haze and unable to pinpoint when things became so unmanageable. Struggling to keep up is draining the life out of you. Now you’re the micro-manager, clinging to control and scared to let go. You’re an emotional baggage claim, harboring all the emotions you never processed. You resent feeling this way. Something has to change.
Hello! Thank you for taking a moment to read this. No matter what difficulties you are struggling with, you have the ability to overcome them - loss, anxiety, sadness, or major life changes - you have everything you need to transform these into positive growth, the goal is to tap your innate potential together! Starting the journey can be scary but once you take the first step it can be the start of a new way of life. No matter if it is short term therapy to help you get through a rough patch or longer term process, my approach is client centered so we will set goals and work through it together.
Hello! Thank you for taking a moment to read this. No matter what difficulties you are struggling with, you have the ability to overcome them - loss, anxiety, sadness, or major life changes - you have everything you need to transform these into positive growth, the goal is to tap your innate potential together! Starting the journey can be scary but once you take the first step it can be the start of a new way of life. No matter if it is short term therapy to help you get through a rough patch or longer term process, my approach is client centered so we will set goals and work through it together.
Deciding to pursue therapy can be a big step. Some days you feel you need help, the next your convinced you can handle it all on your own. Ambivalence is normal; you don't need to be 100% ready. As your therapist, I strive to be authentic, compassionate, and honest with my clients. My goal is to provide a place where you feel comfortable being yourself. As a team, we'll identify what is working and where you may want change, we'll prioritize goals, and find tools to aid you in reaching those goals. With kindness, patience, and effort, change and recovery are within your reach.
Deciding to pursue therapy can be a big step. Some days you feel you need help, the next your convinced you can handle it all on your own. Ambivalence is normal; you don't need to be 100% ready. As your therapist, I strive to be authentic, compassionate, and honest with my clients. My goal is to provide a place where you feel comfortable being yourself. As a team, we'll identify what is working and where you may want change, we'll prioritize goals, and find tools to aid you in reaching those goals. With kindness, patience, and effort, change and recovery are within your reach.
Whether you are seeking individual therapy or a psychological evaluation, we offer both phone and video sessions (HIPAA compliant) and provide all paperwork, payment, scheduling, and check-ins online (in-person contact is not required). In-person sessions are available (and may be required for specific tests/evaluations). Our team consists of a Licensed Forensic Psychologist/Clinical Supervisor, and Psych Associates. We offer a 15- minute consultation (free) to answer questions and determine if our services are a good fit for you!
Whether you are seeking individual therapy or a psychological evaluation, we offer both phone and video sessions (HIPAA compliant) and provide all paperwork, payment, scheduling, and check-ins online (in-person contact is not required). In-person sessions are available (and may be required for specific tests/evaluations). Our team consists of a Licensed Forensic Psychologist/Clinical Supervisor, and Psych Associates. We offer a 15- minute consultation (free) to answer questions and determine if our services are a good fit for you!
Hello, I'm Dana Dart-McLean, LMFT, a psychotherapist. I use somatic (body-awareness-based), attachment-focused, and client-centered therapy to support people in overcoming problems to move forward with personal growth. I specialize in supporting people with anxiety, depression, ADHD/neurodivergence, trauma, grief, relationships, and life transitions.
Hello, I'm Dana Dart-McLean, LMFT, a psychotherapist. I use somatic (body-awareness-based), attachment-focused, and client-centered therapy to support people in overcoming problems to move forward with personal growth. I specialize in supporting people with anxiety, depression, ADHD/neurodivergence, trauma, grief, relationships, and life transitions.
Sierra Rose Brown
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
I specialize in working with people who have a desire to improve their daily functioning and quality of life. I want to work with clients to determine what will work best for them and their unique circumstances. I offer therapy for children, adolescents, adults and elders alike.
I specialize in working with people who have a desire to improve their daily functioning and quality of life. I want to work with clients to determine what will work best for them and their unique circumstances. I offer therapy for children, adolescents, adults and elders alike.
Stephanie Mason
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90508 (Online Only)
New beginnings can often be disguised as painful endings. I work closely with those who have been through tragic events, suffered childhood abuse, those who have been victimized by others, as well as those who might feel like they have nowhere left to turn. My goal is to help you find your inner strength, and to courageously be free to display it and be proud. I am empathetic to my client’s needs, ambitious to provide support, and offer a nonjudgmental space for you to share and truly be heard.
New beginnings can often be disguised as painful endings. I work closely with those who have been through tragic events, suffered childhood abuse, those who have been victimized by others, as well as those who might feel like they have nowhere left to turn. My goal is to help you find your inner strength, and to courageously be free to display it and be proud. I am empathetic to my client’s needs, ambitious to provide support, and offer a nonjudgmental space for you to share and truly be heard.
Hi, my name is Marcia Bradley Branca. I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Hawaii. I approach therapy as a co-created experience, inviting you to participate as deeply as you wish in a process of exploration and healing. My work with adults helps to identify areas that are causing stress or unhappiness and to find their way forward.
Hi, my name is Marcia Bradley Branca. I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Hawaii. I approach therapy as a co-created experience, inviting you to participate as deeply as you wish in a process of exploration and healing. My work with adults helps to identify areas that are causing stress or unhappiness and to find their way forward.
My name is Mary Nagashima, and I am Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, based in Northern California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adolescents and adults and specialize in working with trauma and the anxiety and depression that often accompanies it, using mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, BrainSpotting, and EMDR. My approach is client-centered; I work with each client differently depending on your needs. I most frequently use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness training as both modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality.
My name is Mary Nagashima, and I am Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, based in Northern California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adolescents and adults and specialize in working with trauma and the anxiety and depression that often accompanies it, using mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, BrainSpotting, and EMDR. My approach is client-centered; I work with each client differently depending on your needs. I most frequently use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness training as both modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality.
Counseling Adults, Children & Couples
Psychologist, PsyD, MAMFCT, CHYP
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90503
Some Adults, Teens and Children in our community face issues of stress, fear of underachieving, depression, body-image concerns, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia or over-eating), relationship traumas (affairs, divorce, abuse, child custody battles), addictions. Other adults face unsettling retirement, empty nest syndrome, elder care concerns, serious illnesses, definite anxiety and feelings of meaninglessness. Couples become estranged: lacking in communication, connection and emotional or sexual intimacy. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Therapist and Counselor for over 30 years, Dr. Carol Francis uses multiple researched tools helping individuals, couples, and families create satisfaction and well-being.
Some Adults, Teens and Children in our community face issues of stress, fear of underachieving, depression, body-image concerns, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia or over-eating), relationship traumas (affairs, divorce, abuse, child custody battles), addictions. Other adults face unsettling retirement, empty nest syndrome, elder care concerns, serious illnesses, definite anxiety and feelings of meaninglessness. Couples become estranged: lacking in communication, connection and emotional or sexual intimacy. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Therapist and Counselor for over 30 years, Dr. Carol Francis uses multiple researched tools helping individuals, couples, and families create satisfaction and well-being.
See more therapy options for Torrance
Nearby Expressive Arts Therapists Searches for Torrance
- Compton
- El Segundo
- Hawthorne
- Hermosa Beach
- Inglewood
- Long Beach
- Manhattan Beach
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Palos Verdes Peninsula
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- Redondo Beach
- San Pedro
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.