Getting Started
Welcome to Little House Expressive Arts Therapy!
I am so excited to have you and your child as part of our community! This onboarding guide is designed to help you understand my values, processes, and expectations to ensure a smooth and supportive experience for both you and your child.
Mission & Values
I believe in the transformative power of creativity. My mission is to provide a safe and nurturing space where children and adolescents can explore their emotions, build resilience, and foster self-expression through various art forms and play.
Core values:
Creativity– Encouraging self-expression through diverse artistic modalities and play.
Compassion– Fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Collaboration– Working alongside families, caregivers, and other professionals/community resources to best support kiddos.
Inclusivity– Honoring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
Growth– Encouraging ongoing learning and self-development for kiddos and their families.
Getting Started
Initial Consultation: Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your child’s needs and determine if we’re the right fit.
Insurance: If you are utilizing your out-of-network benefits, contact your insurance company directly to verify that I am an approved provider. Learn more about what questions to ask here.
Intake Forms: Complete all required paperwork sent via SimplePractice. Reach out to me with any questions!
First Sessions: The first few sessions focus on building rapport with your child and introducing creative processes tailored to their needs.
Ongoing Sessions: Your child attends regularly scheduled sessions and we check in to see how things are going at home, school, and their community. If you ever need to reschedule a session, let me know and I’ll reach out with my availability.
Parent Communication: We can check-in via the SimplePractice client portal or schedule a parent session if needed to discuss progress and support strategies.
SimplePractice
I communicate confidential information via the SimplePractice client portal. There is also an app you can also download for your phone. For scheduling or other non-confidential matters, email is just fine!
If there is an office announcement/update, you will get an email that says there is a new "announcement" in your client portal. You'll click the link and there will be an "announcement" icon in the upper right hand corner of your computer screen and in the SimplePractice app.
Here is a PDF link to learn how to access announcements.
Why I Do Not Typically Offer Bi-Weekly Sessions
Consistency is key in expressive arts therapy. Weekly sessions provide a predictable structure that supports emotional regulation, skill development, and therapeutic progress. Gaps of two weeks between sessions can interrupt the flow of therapy, making it more challenging for children to maintain engagement and build upon previous sessions. For this reason, I only offer weekly sessions to ensure the best outcomes for your child.
If you are need of bi-weekly sessions for accessibility reasons, I do have 3:00pm on Mondays and 5:00pm on Monday/Wednesdays as my set bi-weekly spots. If those are available and needed, we can explore that option together!
I use bi-weekly sessions to help kiddos transition out of therapy or scale back to as-needed sessions. For example, one month of bi-weekly sessions can help kids transition to once a month or as-needed sessions. In my experience, due to school schedules, holidays, and illnesses, bi-weekly naturally tends to become monthly.
Helpful Language for Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Many parents instinctively say, "Have fun!" at drop-off, which can be an important goal for some kiddos! However, sometimes themes in play and art-making are not always fun to explore. To help your kiddo be open to any possibility that may arise for them in session, here are some alternative phrases to help set the tone:
When Dropping Off:
A quick hug and “I’ll see you soon!”
“I hope you make whatever you need to make today.”
“You are in a safe space to explore whatever is on your mind.”
“I’ll be right here when you’re done.”
When Picking Up:
“I’m happy to see you!”
“Wow, you were so brave today. You worked through a lot.”
“It looks like you made art. Do you want to tell me about it later?”
“I hope this was a helpful space for you today."
“Would you like to take a moment before we transition back to the rest of the day?"
“What would you like to do with your art when we get home?”
“You don’t have to talk about anything before you’re ready. I’m here when or if you want to.”
“If anything from your session is still on your mind later, I’m happy to listen.”
“Would you like a quiet ride home or to chat for a bit?”
“How does your heart feel after today’s session?”
Offer a hug and say, “I love you.”
Using open-ended language helps children understand that therapy is a space for growth and emotional work, not just fun or play. Also, it’s important honor your child’s privacy and not share your child’s artwork on social media or with others. Just like in talk therapy, their artwork and play is their language.
Policies & Procedures
Here is the link to my Professional Disclosure Statement. Please reach out with any questions you may have!
Contact & Support
If you have any questions or need additional support, please reach out!
Link to the SimplePractice Client Portal
📍 133 E King St. Hillsborough, NC 27278
📞 919.289.9252
📧 contact@littlehouseartstherapy.com
🌐 www.littlehouseartstherapy.com