Online Art Therapy Services
Art making is a healing and manifesting experience.
The intention for my art therapy practice is to hold space for you to experience your emotions, creatively express them, and cultivate new opportunities for navigating life. My name is Leah Guzman and I’m an art therapy registered board certified art therapist (ATR-BC). My experience working with clients ranges from providing services to at-risk youth in crisis shelters, juvenile jails, and public schools. I also have experience working with adults in homeless shelters, psychiatric hospitals, supporting women in my private practice in person and online. Art has been an outlet for me during turbulent times and it’s my first defense in dealing with life challenges. Art is also a part of my daily regimen of keeping my life in balance. I practice what I preach. My mission is to support others to find an outlet to connect, body, mind and soul through creativity. It’s incredibly satisfying to assist a person in realizing their true potential.
My clinical experience has been a cognitive-behavioral approach to treat depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Art therapy is a way for you to visually see what’s going on in your mind, learn new ways to change your thinking patterns, which leads to creating a new world for you to experience. I teach tools that embody change and offer real results. My practice is trauma-informed and based on ethical practices.
I have an artistic solution for you. It would be honored to hold space for you. I am committed to your transformation.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach utilizing art and psychology to help improve lives by treating emotional and behavioral disorders. Through the art making process the participants can express their emotions and heal what is causing their anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Art therapists are master-level clinicians trained to create therapeutic relationships with the participants to facilitate opportunities that will improve cognition, self-awareness, self-esteem, increase coping and social skills. The sessions are tailored to meet your emotional needs.
How is art therapy beneficial online?
What is great about online sessions is that there is no traffic. You can do it in your home wearing your pajamas. It’s important to find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed. Please wear headphones. You will be using your own art supplies.
Benefits to Your Mental Health:
Get into the creative flow
Research shows reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone)
Produces oxytocin
Rewires brain’s plasticity
Provides self-development
Increases coping skills
Honor your emotions
Self-expression
Schedule a free 30 minute consultation to meet Leah Guzman here ONLINE calendar.
Once scheduled you will receive a confidential link to an online platform where we will meet virtually.
Online sessions are confidential and HIPPA compliant.
What hesitations did you have about starting art therapy online?
I didn’t have any major hesitations-I was just curious how I would be able create a piece of artwork within the timeframe.
What changes have you seen in your life?
I was specifically trying to unlearn some financial programming that I developed in childhood. We spent a few sessions working on healing that part of my inner child, and my earnings increased greatly in the months that we worked together. I’ve been able to use art as a coping tool. I’ve also been able to get into the creative flow.
What specific feature or art directive did you like best?:
I really found value in the priorities wheel that we worked on throughout the sessions. It helped me to see which areas of my life were out of balance.
Would you recommend online art therapy? Why or why not?
“Yes! I was specifically trying to heal my inner child in various ways so drawing & doodling freely easily allowed me to access this area”.~~S.S. From New Jersey
“After stalling out with cognitive, talk-based therapy, I knew I needed to get out of my head and find a more “embodied” approach. I discovered Leah through her art therapy workbook on Amazon, and was intrigued to find she offered a “healing and manifesting” program combined 1×1 counseling, online classes, and group work. Although I was initially afraid to tune into the long-neglected, intuitive, feelings-based side of my personality, Leah put me immediately at ease. The woman practices what she preaches. She is comfortable in her own skin, moves with (rather than resists) the natural flow of life, and is, resultantly, outrageously productive. She is direct in the most gentle way possible, and helped me laugh through a lot of the issues that long inhibited my self-expression. By week 7 of our 14-week package, I got published in my first art exhibit and launched my first website (which I had wanted to do for a decade). I so appreciate her accountability and emotional support, and would recommend Leah to anyone who wants to make progress, at long last, on actually executing on their dreams.” ~~A.O. From Pennsylvania
“I loved doing a session with Leah. It helped me tune into myself and gain clarity. I filled out Leah’s survey beforehand so she had a good understanding of my current state. In our session, she drew upon my survey and we had a effective discussion about who and where I am. She had me do a short meditation with visualization which grounded and inspired, and energized me. Then we did an art project (I painted with watercolors) to express what I felt. This helped me better understand myself and do inner work in order to manifest what I want. Doing the meditation and art project makes for a very different experience than other types of healing and coaching. As a visual person who loves art and craft projects, I found this to be very healing and energizing, especially with Leah’s uplifting energy! Thank you Leah!“~~M.H. From New York
“Leah was gentle, loving and supportive keeping me accountable to my goals and reminding me of my power to choose in every moment. The sessions unfolded organically and I was challenged to create rituals and rhythms in my practice. This consistency created a structure that guided me through a series of paintings. I felt sometimes as if I were in magic school ~ her energy is contagious. I didn’t want the sessions to end.”
A.R. from New York“
“I have so much to be grateful for and Leah your one of the human beings that has been a HUGE game changer for me. I don’t think I could have gone this far if it wasn’t for your gentle encouragement and beautiful guidance. This has been an incredible year.”
N.L. from New York
I had been wanting to work with Leah for a couple of years before I contacted her. I am so glad I made the investment in myself to work with such a beautiful exuberant soul who helped me to explore and disempower the chaos in my thoughts. Leah is nurturing and encouraging making it fun to sit with those typically stressful thoughts to better understand their root cause while identifying action steps toward becoming the best version of yourself.”
~ L.R. from Florida
Sessions can be redeemed up to one year from the purchase date. Sessions are non-refundable but are transferable (you can gift to someone in need).
If you do not use your sessions in one month they roll over to the next month. Sessions are non-refundable but can be gifted to another person. Cancellation policy: must cancel before 24 hours or you will be charged for the session.
Science supports nurturing creativity to improve mental health and every area of your life.
~ Art-making allows one to reframe experiences, reorganize thoughts, and gain personal insights that enhance your quality of life. Source
~ Brain research shows creating art reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Source
~ Creativity allows you to experience the “flow” state. Being in the “flow” increases focusing and activates the reward center in your brain to allow the feeling of pleasure.Source
~ Art making can rewire your brain’s plasticity, which allows for you to be more flexible and adaptable. Source
BENEFITS OF ART THERAPY:
What is art therapy and how does it work? Art Therapy is a mental health profession that incorporates art and psychotherapy. A trained art therapist guides you through art exercises related specific to your needs of healing.
Is there different types of art therapy? Yes, art therapy is based from different theoretical practices. I specialize in a cognitive-behavioral approach.
What conditions can be treated with art therapy? Art therapy can heal and support people suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and life transitions.
Does art therapy have an effect on one’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual bodies? Mentally art therapy increases problem solving and coping skills. Emotionally art therapy provides a cathartic experience to express suppressed emotions. Physically, art making for 45 minutes reduces cortisol (the stress hormone). Spiritually your energetic body shifts which allows you to tap into Source, and your Higher Self for guidance. Your art speaks. Art therapy teaches you to understand the messages.
Are there complimentary methods to support one’s healing journey? I offer an online group community, Creative Soul Society. to support one’s journey.
Is there potential negative side effects to art therapy? Yes, people may say they are an art therapist, yet they have not gone through formal training (2 year master’s degree in art therapy). Art can open past wounds and trigger a negative response (flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal ideation). A trained therapist will be able to safely guide an individual to a space for healing to occur.
What are some of the symptoms you see in in people with unresolved emotional issues, in particular women? Unresolved issues stemmed from childhood can lead to low self-esteem and self worth, anxiety, depression, patterns of behavior where they lack self-care.
How is art therapy different from conventional psychotherapy? When you create a physical piece of art it’s an extension of yourself, your thoughts and emotions. You can help a person reflect on their life and thoughts because they are in front of you to see.
Testimonials
“I’m still using what I learned from you in our art therapy sessions. There is something deep and so fulfilling about getting what I can’t fully express in words out in my personal art. Quite amazing! Thank you for your gifts.”
“You are such an amazing light and leader. You have changed my life and the work we do together has illuminated so much within me and in turn in the lives of those around me. I’m so grateful for you!”
“Artist Leah Guzman is a Miami-based art therapist whose work and dedication to healing has done nothing short of saving my life. She was a catalyst during the darkest times, reminding me of my own inner light and her guidance on chakra and energy healing inspired my own path into wellness, as I found my capacity to be a source of healing to myself and other through Reiki.”