Creative Self-Expression Coach

I have been developing my own brand of Creative Healing Through Art Workshops since ever since I became a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in December of 1988.  I originally called my Workshops ‘Healing Through Art’, then ‘Accessing Creative Energy Workshops’ and finally, ‘Creative Self Expression Workshops’.  

I’ve studied both Art therapy and Psychodrama for many years both before and after I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and have relied on this knowledge to develop a number of self growth workshops for people of all ages.  I have a Ph.D. in both Clincial and Developmental Psychology from the University of Maine where my research focused on the use of creative self expression to reduce anxiety in phobic preschool chidren. I found out that the degree of mastery reflected in children’s fantasy play behaviors was significantly related to their ability to successfully confront a feared object.  This idea of using fantasy and creative self expression to resolve emotional and psychological conflicts became a passionate interest of mine, that has lasted all of my adult life.  

I have developed numerous techniques that I have used with children, adolescents and adults in my therapy practice for over thirty years. I am retiring from the practice of Clinical Psychology as of January 1, 2023 to pursue my art career and teaching creative self expression techniques full time.

In 2006, shortly after my 50th birthday,  I became consumed with an overwhelming desire to paint again. In order to gain the confidence to pick up a brush, I felt the need to read voraciously in the area of self-coaching and creativity coaching.  I was lucky enough to stumble upon the work of Dr. Eric Maisel, the founder of Creativity Coaching, and became a Certified Creativity Coach in 2015.

I have experienced the anxiety that comes from making the decision to ‘create’ for a living first hand.  The life style of an Artist, An Actor, A Musician or a Writer, demands incredible self-discipline as well as an incredible amount of emotional resillience in the face of personal criticism.  

I love helping both Artists and Non Artists to feel empowered to work through emotional, psychological and spiritual issues through what I call  ‘Creative Self Expression Coaching’.   I use all of the skills I’ve learned in the course of my life as both a Clinical Psychologist and a Visual Artist to help others to heal through the power of their own creative self-expression.  It will be my honor to share all of my knowledge and experience with you, if you decide to choose me as your ‘Creative Self Expression Coach’.