Drew Smith (she/her)

My Approach to Helping

Incorporating art and creativity in the context of therapy is not about creating a masterpiece or finished product, but about engaging in the process as a tool for insight, self-awareness, and catharsis. Worrying about how "good" the work looks can actually be counterproductive to the goals of therapy. Most of our lives are not perfect. The art doesn't have to be either. Sometimes, talking about painful topics can be overwhelming and disorienting, but externalizing thoughts and feelings through a creative medium allows you to process challenges with the cognitive, emotional, and sensorimotor areas of your brain, all at the same time. In short, things often seem more clear, connected, and contained.   ​My work is firmly rooted in the understanding that individual health is deeply influenced by systems of power, oppression, culture, and heritage, which demand our active attention in all spaces, and especially in the context of therapy. 

Why I am a Good Fit for You

You don't need to be an artist or identify as creative for us to work well together, although creative process does allow for us to jointly examine aspects of your life in a new way. If you haven't felt that talking about things has been the most helpful, then working with creative elements may provide a fresh and inspiring perspective. If you have a creative hobby, profession, or identity (in any art form or medium) you may also feel that my approach feels especially supportive and helpful relative to traditional talk therapy approaches. If you are steeped in creative ways of thinking, that can make approaching your own emotions, challenges, and areas of growth with this lens extremely powerful. If you are struggling professionally with burnout or other challenges, then reconnecting with your creativity can help you access personal and professional clarity, calm, and meaning in your life.