Frequently Asked Questions
Group Art Therapy FAQs
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Group art therapy is best experienced with the following supplies: pencil/pen, colored pencils, crayons, markers, watercolor or acrylic paint, oil pastels, a sketchbook for mixed media (this paper allows for paint and glue without bleeding through), magazines for collage, scissors, and glue.
If you have a favorite art material(s), you are encouraged to use that, too!
If you’re newer to art making and don’t have supplies already, no worries. You have a few options. An art supplies kit can be purchased for group participants. It includes all supplies needed for the 12-week group. Alternatively, you can explore craft stores, thrift stores, and ask friends/family for any supplies they may have laying around.
Reach out to me at kelly@understandingself.me for any further questions.
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That’s okay! Really. Art therapy is not for artists only. As long as you can hold a pencil, you can do art therapy. My rule of thumb is that group art therapy is a space for non-judgment. We all come to the process with different experiences with art making. The purpose of art making in this space is to facilitate self-discovery, processing, and healing. The skill or finished product aren’t the top priority.
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Art therapy may be right for you if…
you’ve felt stuck in talk therapy
finding the words to describe your experience and emotions is hard
you enjoy other creative processes (cooking, gardening, music)
you’re curious about art making as a way to support your mental health
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Good question! Virtual art therapy is a little different than it may be in person, but it has a lot of the same benefits!
Logistically, each participant will have their own art supplies and sketchbook (I will, too). Each session will have space for art making, during which each participant and myself will make art based on a prompt. Certain materials may be encouraged depending on the prompt.
Then, we’ll have time to verbally process and share our art together (hold it up so we can see on the screen). If sharing your art with others scares you, you are not alone. We’ll process that together, too.
Individual Art Therapy FAQs
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Individual art therapy is best experienced with the following supplies: pencil/pen, colored pencils, crayons, markers, watercolor or acrylic paint, oil pastels, a sketchbook for mixed media (this paper allows for paint and glue without bleeding through), magazines for collage, scissors, and glue.
If you have a favorite art material(s), you are encouraged to use that, too!
If you’re newer to art making and don’t have supplies already, no worries. You have a few options. An art supplies kit can be purchased for group participants. It includes all supplies listed above. Alternatively, you can explore craft stores, thrift stores, and ask friends/family for any supplies they may have laying around.
Reach out to me at kelly@understandingself.me for any further questions.
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That’s okay! Really. Art therapy is not for artists only. As long as you can hold a pencil, you can do art therapy. My rule of thumb is that art therapy is a space for non-judgment. I understand that you come to the process with different art making experiences. The purpose of art making in this space is to facilitate self-discovery, processing, and healing. The skill or finished product aren’t the top priority.
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Art therapy may be right for you if…
you’ve felt stuck in talk therapy
finding the words to describe your experience and emotions is hard
you enjoy other creative processes (cooking, gardening, music)
you’re curious about art making as a way to support your mental health
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Good question! Virtual art therapy is a little different than it may be in person, but it has a lot of the same benefits!
Logistically, you will have your own art supplies and sketchbook (I will, too). Each session will have space for art making, during which you will make art based on a prompt or theme. Certain materials may be encouraged depending on the prompt. When it’s therapeutically appropriate, I may make art simultaneously.
Then, we’ll have time to verbally process and you can share your art (hold it up so I can see on the screen). If sharing your art brings up anxiety, you are not alone. We’ll process that together, too.
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Typically, I meet with clients on Tuesdays (2:00 pm, 3:00 pm) and Thursdays (3:00 pm, 4:00 pm). Please contact me for current availability.
Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) FAQs
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There are a few resources out there to help you explore different characteristics of the high sensitivity trait.
Some common experiences of HSPs include: easily overwhelmed by sensory input, impacted by others’ emotions, overstimulated by bright lights, smells, and other sensory details, easily startled, creative, enjoy the arts, perceived by others as shy, and many more.
Check out the “Resources” page for more information.
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No. Being highly sensitive is not a diagnosis in the DSM and it is not a disorder. It is an innate trait found in about 20% of the population (Elaine Aron).
However, identifying as an HSP usually comes with facing some challenges since society is not built for the highly sensitive. Therapy can be a great way to explore these challenges and find helpful ways of coping.
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No! In fact, about 20% of the population is also highly sensitive. High sensitivity is an innate trait, which gives HSPs a handful of challenges AND gifts (Elaine Aron). Non-HSPs may not be able to understand your experience, and that’s okay. It is important to identify your unique strengths and learn to appreciate your sensitivity.
My art therapy groups are designed to help you connect with others like you, lean into your sensitivity, and develop awareness of your own strengths. If that sounds useful for you, reach out! I’d be happy to answer your questions.
Working with Me FAQs
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Yes!
I am grateful to share the therapeutic space with everyone who identifies within the LGBTQ+ community. I understand that it is a vulnerable choice to share aspects of your identity with anyone, especially a new person. I encourage you to take your time sharing with me, an to do so as you feel safe.
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Generally, no.
I am glad to incorporate it as you wish, if it is useful for you. Otherwise, I have no intention of sneaking in any religious talk.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about my personal beliefs, especially if it can help you feel safer in this space.
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Non-TN/non-VT residents cannot meet with me for art therapy since my counseling license is only valid in Tennessee and Vermont.
However, you are more than welcome to explore any of my other services. My creative expression workshops, mindfulness sessions, and courses are all open to people located anywhere.
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Session length depends on a few factors. Typically, individual sessions are 50-55 minutes, and group sessions are 60-90 minutes. However, I also offer 75-minute and 90-minute individual sessions. These are great options for a few different situations:
you notice yourself running out of time to process the deeper stuff
you feel like you’re not making as much progress as quickly as you’d like
you need time in the beginning of the session to process that week’s events before diving into other goals
you want to make faster progress on your goals, especially if that includes processing trauma
you need more time to dive into the art therapy aspect of the session
It is up to you, sometimes with the recommendation by your therapist, to decide if you’d like to try longer sessions. If you’re interested in trying longer sessions, you can let me know in our consultation call.
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Behind the scenes, I am often…
writing notes after each session
making treatment plans and periodically updating them
communicating with you and/or your treatment team
searching for and sharing resources
attending continuing education events
engaging in independent continued learning (reading, exploring new research, etc.)
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If we’re meeting in-person, we’ll meet in my office space located within Tennessee Alternative Medicine. The address is 574 Franklin Road #200, Franklin, TN 37069.
Parking is available and the building has an elevator.
Financial & Insurance FAQs
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At this time, I do not accept insurance. See details below about using your out-of-network benefits.
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I understand that mental health care is an investment. My hope is to provide accessible care. If you cannot afford my standard rates, for whatever reason, please refer to my profile on Open Path. I provide a limited number of reduced-rate spots through Open Path. Contact me below or through Open Path to check availability.
You may also want to check your health insurance for out-of-network benefits (see below).
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At this time, I do not accept insurance.
However, if you would like to check and/or use your out-of-network (OON) benefits, you have a couple options.
First, I am a provider through Thrizer. Thrizer can submit your OON claims for you and, if you are eligible, send reimbursements directly to you. You can learn more about them on their website or by asking me.
Second, you can check your out-of-network benefits on your own to see what coverage your plan has for “outpatient psychotherapy” or “outpatient group psychotherapy,” depending on which service you’re pursuing. As an LPC-MHSP in Tennessee, I can provide you with a superbill (an itemized receipt of services) for our therapy services. You would then submit that superbill to your insurance for reimbursement, if your plan covers it.
Please note that if you plan on using your out-of-network benefits, whether by submitting claims yourself or by using Thrizer, you will still be expected to pay the full fee at the time of service.
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I do not communicate directly with clients’ health insurance. However, I am connected with Thrizer, who will communicate directly with your insurance. They can do the work for you to check your benefits, submit out-of-network (OON) claims, and send you applicable reimbursements.
Ask me how to get connected with Thrizer if you’d like help navigating OON benefits for our work together.
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I accept credit card, debit card, HSA, and FSA.