Hey! I’m Gracemarie
Professional Philosophy
As a practicing art therapist for over 5 years now in various settings, including OMH licensed community residences/group homes, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, and inpatient substance abuse facilities, I have crossed paths with many different clients and patients from all different backgrounds and walks of life. I know firsthand that in some cultures, mental health is not a popular subject in the community. Each deserves the same space to discover their own self-expression and identity with the ability to work (at their pace) from where they are. I have always been aware of the importance of how our cultural upbringing influences the person we ultimately become and I strive to honor each clients’ individuality while also providing them the education and support they need to strive to be better versions of themselves. That belief has strongly influenced my practice to make it a point to allow my clients to be their authentic selves while working towards their goals and needs.
“Self Actualization: The realization of one’s potential, and the full development of one’s abilities and appreciation for life.”
― Webster’s Dictionary
Personal Background
Creativity was always encouraged and fed to me as a child. Growing up, I also came to the predominant awareness that I am culturally different from others. Because of my experiences, I have always been aware of the importance of how our cultural upbringing influences the person we ultimately become and I strive to honor each clients’ individuality while also providing them the education and support they need to strive to be better versions of themselves.
I also used to be a graphic designer for various magazines where communicating brand identity creatively to the audience was key(but not as fulfilling as guiding someone to their own sense of self instead of manipulating/selling a product. Now, I work with children, teens, and young adults to discover their own self-expression and identity. In therapy, my number one concern is creating a safe space for my clients to express themselves, whether it’s through art therapy or talk therapy, or maybe a little of both! I have found that once my clients feel comfortable and supported by me, they have been able to begin making exciting strides in their awareness of themselves and thus, make important changes to enhance their quality of life. My goal is to guide clients through their journey to their own self-discovery and gather the tools suited for their personality to successfully address life’s challenges.
AREAS OF FOCUS
All of us here at START address the mental health areas of stress, trauma, and anxiety in our practice. We apply these three topics to unique, specific challenges that our clients are going through. I also offer specialized areas in the following areas:
Self Image
It’s inevitable that our bodies respond physically, in extreme nervousness and/or exhaustive hopelessness, to the impact of the constant negative rhetoric running rampant in our own minds. The way in which we transcribe an experience with others, at school, work, or home, plays a heavy role in how we feel about ourselves, and we may come to believe those messages, as our ultimate truth over time. Together we will explore those ideas and reevaluate ways to transform those experiences and perceptions to recreate and establish a more satisfying approach to your life and the people in it. I truly look forward to meeting you and am honored to be selected to work with you.