Fewer storms. More rainbows.
Neurodivergent affirming art therapy for LGBTQ+ young people with emotional dysregulation
In-Person Art Therapy in Gibbsboro, NJ
Virtual Art Therapy in New Jersey, Connecticut & Pennsylvania
Neurodivergent therapy for young people who need something different
Imagine if your neurodivergent/2e LGTBQ+ kid had a better handle on their emotions so that they could be successful at normal “kid stuff” without having a meltdown that comes out of left field. Prism Art Therapy in Gibbsboro, NJ helps school-age kids, teens & young adults better regulate emotions, so they can experience more successes – at school, at home and socially.
Accordingly, as their caregiver, you can finally get a break from the anxiety that they’re on the edge of another meltdown.
If “just talking about it” doesn’t quite do it for your kid, art therapy is hands-on and engages them as creators in their own healing and growth. My collaborative style encourages your child to reflect on choices about what to express and how to express it, thus, building transferable skills to more effectively navigate situations that currently make them spiral.
Kids who are LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent need a therapy approach that aligns with their uniqueness, alongside a relatable therapist who’s attuned to their unique challenges, so ultimately, they can trust that therapy is a safe place to explore why they’re struggling.
If your child has difficulty with emotional regulation, then consider a new direction towards their success and your peace of mind. Together, we’ll build on their strengths in order to help them navigate everyday choices while discovering who they truly are.
I’m Lee Ann and I get it.
I really do.
PhD & Licensed Art Therapist.
Neurodivergent, queer, feminist.
As an artist, not bothered when things get messy.
Art and life can both get messy, but sweeping up paper scraps is easier than dealing with life messes. That’s where I come in because I want to help with messy life stuff.
I’m sensitive to others’ distress and understand the desire to feel better. Having worked through my own messes as a young person, I’m familiar with the benefits of therapy from both the client and therapist perspective.
Perhaps you’re familiar with the saying, to clean a mess, you have to make a mess. Art therapy is an interactive approach that brings order to chaos, and I will work with your kid to connect our work in therapy to the real life messy challenges they’ve been trying to manage.
Together, we’ll try to sort it out so that they feel better and can move forward.
Vulnerabilities
of being neurodivergent/2e & LGBTQ+
Neurodivergent/2e and LGBTQ+ kids have a special spark, but frequently, big feelings and a sense of isolation. From there, things can really snowball – sadness, frustration, feeling defeated – which is on top of more ordinary developmental challenges. It’s completely understandable if you feel powerless and confused about how to help.
The specifics of your child’s situation are unique, but overall, young people who are dealing with the turmoil of trying to find their place and figure out who they are, can be vulnerable to a variety of mental and behavioral issues connected to emotional dysregulation throughout their school years.
Children
- Peer relationship difficulties
- Harsh self-criticism & low confidence
- School issues
- Depresssion & anxiety
- Impulsive behavior
Teens
- Peer relationship difficulties
- Harsh self-criticism & low confidence
- School issues
- Depression & anxiety
- Self-harm & risky behaviors
- Eating & body image difficulties
Young Adults
- Peer relationship difficulties
- School & early career issues
- Depression & anxiety
- Self-harm & risky behaviors
- Eating & body image difficulties
- Difficulty moving towards age-appropriate independence
“Lee Ann is super nice and obviously very knowledgeable. After going through several therapists in online platforms who I didn’t feel good about and didn’t feel like they understood me, I feel like Lee Ann does. I’m happy I tried again with her.”
Art Therapy in South Jersey
Creating change starts with imagination
In art therapy, your child will use artmaking and discussion to express and explore their thoughts and emotions.
If your neurodiverse child has verbal processing issues, art therapy can bridge gaps between their emotional life and language to bolster comunication skills needed for fulfilling peer relationships and a calmer homelife.
Artmaking activates creativity, intuition and intellect, thus providing a more comprehensive therapy experience that can lead to the changes you imagine they can achieve with the right support.
Your child will have a safe, judgment-free space to freely express themselves through art, and then discuss the art and how it relates to their current challenges. Understanding those challenges is a step towards being better able to build friendships, succeed in school, and reduce conflict at home.
The focus of our work isn’t art education and skill development, although part of our work could include learning new techniques. Rather, we’ll focus on self-expression and combining art with narrative – storytelling as it relates to why they’re in therapy.
Above all, the art isn’t the end goal. Instead, it’s a means of reflection, problem solving and envisioning the future so they have clarity about what they want for themselves and and how to make it happen. Even so, your child could very well be proud of their finished artwork, boosting confidence and sense of competence that could go a long way towards seeing themselves in a new light.
My judgment-free approach is:
Accessible: Your kid doesn’t need to be “good” at art, and the process is tailored to their skill level.
Relational: Establishing trust and open communication with your child is essential because the best indicator of good therapy outcome is satisfaction with the client-therapist relationship.
Authentic: Your kid should feel comfortable being themselves, even when they’re still figuring out who they are, so I show up as me – laidback, a little offbeat, kind of a smartypants.
Flexible: Therapy will be responsive to your child’s needs and it’ll move at their pace, without a rigid plan that doesn’t account for people’s differences. We’ll discuss how therapy is going and make adjustments as needed.
Creative: Your kid will be supported to use creative expression as a healthy outlet and a way to approach everyday challenges. Ultimately, art therapy is a launching point for them to feel more confident, resourceful and competent, so they’re less likely to be immobilized by emotional spirals that lead to meltdowns.
Art Therapy Services
Individual Art Therapy in Gibbsboro, NJ
Clients in South Jersey can work with me at my office in Gibbsboro, Camden County, close to Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Berlin and surrounding areas. My office combines familiar features of a therapy office, like traditional seating, with art studio features, including work space, a wide range of art supplies and lots of natural light.
Telehealth in New Jersey, Connecticut & Pennsylvania
I offer virtual art therapy for clients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. For young adults attending college in NJ, CT or PA, we can continue to meet while they’re at school, they continue to get the support they need in order to feel successful. Art therapy is modified for telehealth in order to maximize its benefits from the comfort of home or college.
Consistency instead of chaos. Peace instead of power struggles.
Your child can be less frustrated and embarrassed about losing control. You can have less conflict at home and more joy spending time with your child.
Book a consultation or first appointment to start art therapy
in Gibbsboro, NJ or virtual art therapy in NJ, CT or PA.
