It is no wonder that creativity can have a powerful impact on health and healing. At Seattle Children’s Hospital I am honored and humbled to work with many children confronted with serious illnesses and diseases. In this special 30 minute Health Link Report produced by King 5, Rosalie Frankel and I discuss a few of the benefits to art therapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital. This video also explains the value of therapeutic play and animal assisted activities at Seattle Children’s Hospital. http://www.seattlechildrens.org/videos/healing-the-spirit-childrens-healthlink-special/

A recently published article showcases a long standing art therapy program that has integrated its practice into the UK’s school system and which is showing great progress in helping children feel better and succeed academically. “On the children’s part, there was a notable drop in depression symptoms. Before the program, 16 students (22 percent) had been classified as depressed. After the program, less than 4 percent qualified as depressed.”  It goes on to say that there was a 41% drop in emotional problems, 33% reduction in hyperactivity, and nearly 25% improvement in social behavior. To view the entire article, please click on this link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/16/us-child-psychology-art-therapy-idUSKBN0KP22S20150116

I’m so pleased to see an article about Art Therapy published in my alma mater’s magazine “The GW Hatchet”. My dearest friend and director of the program, Heidi Bardot, is also interviewed. It highlights some of the amazing benefits of art therapy and also illuminates some of the fallacies.

Where words fail: GW’s art therapy program trains students to unlock expression

On Wednesday I will end my current job at NAVOS psychiatric hospital. I’ve loved working with the staff and patients. Next month, I’ll begin working part time as an art therapist at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. I didn’t plan for my new job to coincide with the debut of my new practice and web site. It feels very much like a rebirth- of twins in a way. It’s exciting, illuminating, scary, fun, and mysterious. Check out the new web site:  www.artandshelter.com

Feel free to forward my contact information to others. I also do Skype one on one sessions and home visits if needed. It’s possible to benefit from art therapy regardless of where you live.

Short article on creativity:  A Creative Life is a Healthy Life, by Amanda Enayati:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/25/health/enayati-innovation-passion-stress/

Take Care. Be Creative. Get Inspired.

My birthday happened to be yesterday. It was the day that we heard Robin Williams committed suicide. It’s a strange feeling to be focusing on the day of my own birth and simultaneously realizing the sad, premature ending of another beloved person. He was a master at making others happy and yet his own self couldn’t experience that joy he brought to millions of others. Despite his own difficult process, Robin would want others to get help even if he couldn’t ultimately win the battle himself. If you know someone battling with depression, here is one of many resources that might help:  National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is a non profit with lots of helpful resources including referrals for counselors in your area. You can speak to a live person from 10 to 6 p.m. EST: http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/Helpline/NAMI_Information_HelpLine.htm

There is no shame in getting help for a mental health issue or illness. Be kind to yourself and reach out if you need help.