Children & Creative Arts Therapy

Children naturally connect to the arts so easily. If something is bothering them at school or at home, it may be hard to talk about it. They may not have the words and tools yet. Most likely they will want to sing or write a song, paint a picture, or dance and move to express themselves. Connecting to and cultivating a child’s creativity builds confidence for them to engage more successfully in the world. By supporting a child's unique creativity, we can facilitate trauma healing.

A Somatic & Mindful Approach to Trauma

It is a heroic first step to engage in the therapy process and start the healing journey. So many adults struggle with depression, anxiety, and coping with the difficulties of everyday life. Trauma may be keeping our bodies in survival mode making it hard to relax. Or, we may find it impossible to get out of bed in the morning and find joy in life. Connecting to our bodies can be uncomfortable, but is often where the answer lies. By focusing on mindfulness and body awareness, we can start to tap into painful feelings and memories that we can then process in therapy. We start to learn new, healthy ways to connect to our pain, and begin to tap into the joy and preciousness of our lives.

Hi, I'm Jenna.

As a little kid, I was always singing. Throughout my life, singing has been a constant creative outlet that has helped me express myself, connect to myself and others, and feel confident in the world.

As a creative arts therapist, I support children and adults towards healing and growth in psychotherapy by helping them access and cultivate their own creative potential. I believe that everyone can access their creativity, and that our connection to ourselves and our world around us can be improved through this avenue. Everyone has the capacity for growth and change.

Our therapeutic relationship is customized to your needs and can include modalities such as music, mindfulness, meditation, learning some Dialectical or Cognitive Behavioral Skills (DBT & CBT), connecting more to the body, or only traditional talk therapy.

As a licensed creative arts therapist & music psychotherapist, I use an integrative, trauma-informed, humanistic, person centered and often somatic approach to growth & healing. I utilize music, art, play therapy and mindfulness, as well as traditional talk therapy, to foster self-expression and exploration in order to access and process challenging experiences, while nurturing self-discovery, acceptance, self-compassion & forgiveness. By focusing on forgiveness and compassion, we forge the path together towards healing.

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Jenna Smith, MA, LCAT, MT-BC

Business Owner & Music Lover

Specialties

Trauma

Trauma unhealed can resurface in many parts of our lives and our relationships. The primary goal for people who have experienced trauma, their families, and their care providers is recovery. Recovery may not necessarily mean complete freedom from post-traumatic effects, but the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed with the thoughts and feelings from the past.

Creative Arts

The arts are an outlet that can help with self expression, feel confident in the world, and cultivate your own creative potential. Our therapeutic relationship is customized to your needs and can include modalities such as music, mindfulness, meditation, learning some Dialectical or Cognitive Behavioral Skills (DBT & CBT), connecting more to the body, or only traditional talk therapy.

Identity

Identity exploration takes place at all ages and stages of life. Identity exploration is hard, uncertain, and often challenges old messages and societal expectations. In a safe, non-judgmental space, we will look deeply into your internal experience, learn who you are, and navigate ways to bring your truest self to your life so you can confidently show up in your relationships & life.

Contact Me

Counseling in New York

and Nashville, Tennessee

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‍General Inquiries: (984) 220-0387

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