a creative approach to healing when words fall short
Art Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
You’ve tried therapy, but you’re still stuck in the same unhelpful patterns.
Maybe you've been in therapy for years, finding some helpful tools along the way, but something still feels missing. You’ve done the work, you’re more self aware, but you’re still feeling triggered by things that seem to come out of nowhere.
Maybe therapy has felt too surface level, and you want to go deeper. But you don't know where to start, or talking about it feels too overwhelming.
Art therapy creates space for the parts of your experience that words can't fully capture. Through creative expression, whether that's drawing, collage, painting, or other media, you can access emotions and insights that often stay hidden in traditional talk therapy.
Are you someone who…
Feels overwhelmed when talking about certain topics or shuts down.
Is self-aware and needs more from therapy than just insight.
Rambles in session, and wishes there was more structure.
Struggles to remember details of the past.
Can’t fully open up in session because discussions feel too surface level.
Gets stuck in venting sessions rather than getting to the root of the issue.
What is art therapy?
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Whether you’re overwhelmed or shut down, creative expression can help you move beyond the thinking part of your brain and connect with your feelings. It’s a powerful way to process your experiences, feel more grounded, and begin to heal at a pace that works for you.
Using simple tools like paint, collage, or clay, you can explore your thoughts and feelings without the pressure to do it perfectly.
When making art, things have a way of coming out in honest and unexpected ways. You might not even realize what you’re feeling until it shows up on paper. Art therapy has a way of bringing things into awareness and gives you the space to gain new perspectives on your experiences.
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How long are art therapy sessions? Art therapy sessions are 60 minutes or 90 minutes long, and are offered a weekly basis or more frequently.
For in person sessions, you’ll have access to a variety of materials and techniques, but we won’t rush through the process. You don’t have to be "ready" or know what to create. Just showing up is enough.
For online sessions, you’ll provide the art materials yourself. I’ll guide you recommended art supplies for the session.
First Session
I’ll spend some time getting to know you and what’s bringing you to therapy at this time. Together, we’ll define what you want out of therapy and your specific goals.
The first three sessions are a chance to see if it’s a good fit for both of us. So there’s no pressure to commit right away, and you always have the option to end therapy at any time.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
Sessions might begin with an art prompt that we come up with together. If you’re not sure where to start, I can suggest prompts that relate to your treatment.
Ice-Breaker Art Prompts
Photo Collage - You’ll have access to a bin of pre-cut images and words. This can be a great first step if you’re not sure how you feel about drawing. I might ask you to make a collage about your goals for therapy.
Engaging the Senses- Pick one of the 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) and take a minute to notice that experience. Show me what that looks like using line, shape and color.
Hand-Tracing - Trace the outline of your hand, and draw/write what you feel is within your control inside of the hand, and what you feel is outside of your control outside of the hand print.
Even in art therapy, talking is still important.
The second half of the session would be a conversation about your artwork. I would guide the discussion and make observations, while always centering what the artwork means to you.
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It’s not about making something beautiful or "doing it right." It’s about:
Learning to better cope with making mistakes without beating yourself up.
Exploring your identity and lived experience in a visual, embodied way.
Releasing feelings around past experiences.
Rewriting narratives that don’t serve you.
Putting your thoughts and feelings on paper, so you can gain distance from them and start to understand them more clearly.
Increasing mindfulness by staying grounded in the present moment through art-making.
You are in control of the process, and we’ll always go at your pace. I’ll frequently check in with you to see how you’re feeling throughout the process, and there will always be the option to take a break if things feel too overwhelming.
LGBTQ-Affirming Art Therapy for Eating Disorders and Gender Identity
art therapy is a flexible approach that meets you where you are
In Art Therapy, creative expression becomes a powerful language for what’s hard to say out loud.
Art therapy can be a game-changer in eating disorder recovery, especially for queer and transgender people navigating identity, body image, and trauma.
Art therapy resonates deeply with queerness because it’s adaptable and supports you in expressing your authentic identity. Creating art can offer both flexibility and structure, depending on your therepeautic goals.
As a registered and board-certified art therapist, I aim to provide a calm space where you can tap into your own creativity to get to the root of your eating disorder. Art-making can help you build confidence and hope, no matter where you are in your recovery journey.
Who benefits from art therapy services?
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Art therapy provides a non-verbal space to explore gender identity and expression without the pressure of definitive labels. Through the creative process, you can visualize your transition journey, or process experiences of discrimination and rejection.
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Traditional eating disorder recovery models often center heteronormative assumptions that can feel alienating to queer people. My approach to eating disorder treatment is nuanced, creating space for recovery that aligns with your authentic self. Art therapy can allow you to explore your relationship with your body in a way that is less overwheming.
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When your spouse comes out as trans or your teen wants to begin hormone therapy, art therapy offers a judgment-free space to process your feelings. You might create pieces exploring your fears, grief, excitement, and uncertainty about the future.
Unique Benefits of Art Therapy for Mental Health
Bypassing Verbal Limitations
If talking feels too overwhelming, art can provide a gentle approach to trauma therapy and eating disorder recovery. Art can be a bridge to ultimately help you find the words to express how you’re feeling.
Building Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness
The creative process inherently builds confidence and serves as tangible evidence of your therapeutic journey. Externalizing your thoughts and feelings helps you get space from them which helps you understand yourself in new ways.
Developing Lasting Coping Skills
Art therapy teaches practical skills that become part of your therapy tool kit. Maintaining a creative practice can be an ongoing resource for self-care even outside of the therapy room. Keeping a visual journal, collaging, and doodling are low-pressure ways to do this.
Identity Exploration
Art-making can be an embodied way to explore your identities and connect to your values. The creative process can be a fulfilling way to process your gender journey.
Integration with Specialized Approaches
While powerful on its own, I integrate art therapy with other therapeutic approaches for comprehensive mental health care:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Visual representations of different parts of yourself help understand internal conflicts around identity, recovery, or relationships. Learn more about IFS therapy.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Patterns in your artwork reveal unconscious conflicts or defenses, providing material for deeper exploration within the psychotherapeutic relationship. Learn more about psychodynamic therapy.
What we’ll work on
With Art Therapy, you can…
Connect to your body’s senses through the feel of clay or the motion of painting to calm your nervous system and ground you in the moment.
Let go of perfectionism in a safe, supportive environment so you can manage your anxiety better outside of the therapy room.
Release thoughts and feelings on paper, so they feel less overwhelming and more manageable. Externalizing your inner world helps increase self-awareness.
Clear the brain fog and connect to what actually matters to you, so you can move forward feeling more like yourself.
When talking isn’t enough, creating opens the door to change
Art therapy helps you get unstuck in ways words never could.
Questions?
FAQs
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Artistic background is not required to experience the benefits of art therapy. You don’t need to be “artsy” or think of yourself as a creative person.
There is no right or wrong way to make art in art therapy. The artistic process doesn’t need to lead to something you would display (though you can if you wanted to!)
You don’t need to make art that is pretty, perfect, or even understand what comes up. The most effective work comes from unexpected places.
You may be offered the chance to try different art materials, but no skill is required.
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Yes! I offer in person sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at my office in Society hill, Philadelphia.
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Yes! Art therapy is offered for in person and telehealth. The only difference is you would need to provide your own supplies for telehealth. We can accomplish a lot in an art therapy session with basic drawing supplies such colored pencils and paper.
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For in person sessions, no. All supplies will be provided for you in session.
For online therapy, you will have to provide your own supplies. You only need basic drawing supplies like paper, pencils, crayons and markers.
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Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression as a tool for healing and self-discovery. Unlike an art class, the focus isn't on technique, skill, or creating something aesthetically pleasing. Instead, I use the art-making process to help you explore emotions, uncover patterns, and access parts of your experience that might be difficult to put into words. The artwork becomes a starting point for deeper conversation and insight, not the end goal.
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Absolutely not. Art therapy has nothing to do with artistic talent or ability. You don't need any prior experience with art, and there's no "right" way to create in our sessions. Many of my clients haven't picked up a crayon since childhood, and that's completely fine. The value is in the process itself, not the product. If you can make a mark on paper, you can do art therapy.
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I offer a variety of materials depending on what feels right for you and what we're exploring together. This might include drawing materials like markers, colored pencils, and pastels, as well as collage materials, paint, clay, or mixed media. Some clients gravitate toward one medium while others like to experiment. I'll introduce you to different options and we'll discover together what resonates with you and supports your therapeutic goals.
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Art therapy offers a unique way to explore your relationship with your body, food, and self-image without relying solely on words. Many people find that eating disorders and body image struggles are connected to emotions and experiences that are hard to articulate. Through art-making, you can externalize these internal experiences, gain new perspectives, and process difficult feelings in a way that feels less confrontational than direct conversation. It can also help you reconnect with your body in a gentle, creative way.
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Yes, and I often integrate art therapy with other modalities I offer, such as Internal Family Systems and psychodynamic therapy. The approach I take is always personalized based on what you need. Some sessions might be primarily art-based, while others might involve more talking, and many sessions blend both. We'll work together to find the balance that supports your healing journey most effectively.
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Every session is different depending on where you are and what you're working through. Sometimes we might start with a specific art directive or prompt that relates to your goals. Other times, you might create spontaneously and we'll explore what emerges together. We always leave time to reflect on the process and discuss what came up for you. I create a relaxed, nonjudgmental space where you can explore at your own pace.
What to Expect in Art Therapy Sessions
Getting Started
Your journey begins with a free 20-minute phone consultation where we discuss what's bringing you to therapy and whether my approach aligns with your needs. If we decide to move forward, I'll help you set up your client portal and complete intake paperwork.
During our first art therapy session, we'll explore your current mental health challenges, what motivates you toward change, and your hopes for recovery.
I'll explain how art therapy works and what you can expect in upcoming sessions. These initial meetings help us determine if we're a good therapeutic match—finding the right fit is crucial for effective therapy.
Ongoing Treatment
We usually meet once a week for an hour, but if you’re going through something big—like eating disorder recovery or a major life shift—we can meet more often or for longer sessions when needed. All materials are provided, and no art experience is necessary. In fact, if you’ve never made art before, you might find it easier to let go and just explore.
Between sessions, I might offer a few journal prompts or gentle challenges to help you keep the momentum going. If we’re working on OCD, that might include small, doable exposure exercises to help you face what feels hard. You won’t be doing it alone—you’ll be building skills and self-trust as we go.
Why Choose My Art Therapy Services?
As a registered and board-certified art therapist with over 15 years in practice, I offer something unique in Philadelphia's mental health landscape.
Unlike approaches that pathologize uniqueness, I aim to create a space where you can be your whole self. As a gender-affirming therapist, I combine lived experience and advanced training in eating disorders, OCD, and trauma to support your goals.
As a white, queer, cisgender therapist, I’ll never fully know what it’s like to be you. However, I am committed to meeting you where you are with curiousity and openness. The structures in our world impact us, and I invite conversations about how those societal pressures impact your lived experience.
Art therapy becomes not just a tool for healing but a celebration of your authentic self—acknowledging that your queerness or transness isn't a problem to solve but an integral part of who you are.
In Person Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
Ruberti Counseling Services is a Philadelphia-based private practice that provides specialized mental health care through both in-person and telehealth sessions. Led by licensed therapist and board-certified art therapist Christine Ruberti-Bruning, the practice utilizes an integrative approach that combines traditional talk therapy with expressive arts, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and psychodynamic techniques. Specializing in eating disorders, OCD, and trauma, Ruberti Counseling focuses on helping clients identify the root causes of their emotional struggles to foster long-term healing and self-acceptance.