Hello! I’m Jan Mark.

  • Child & Adolescents

  • Self-Awareness and Emotional Development

  • Geriatric Populations

  • Grief, Loss, and Trauma

Professional Philosophy

I will listen and encourage you to share anything and everything on your mind. I genuinely believe that you have the answer you are looking for within you.

I will empower you to seek out those answers and connect with your inner self. Using the creative arts, along with talk therapy and psychotherapeutic techniques, we will create a safe space for self-expression to explore unresolved conflict and gain a greater understanding of self and autonomy. You do not have to be a musician, or even enjoy engaging in music, but through this trusting relationship that we create, you will be able to better connect to what is ailing you and we can continue to grow together.

“Music doesn’t get in. Music is already in. Music simply uncovers what is there, makes you feel emotions that you didn’t necessarily know you had inside you…”

― Matt Haig

Personal Background

I learned through my own self-experiences that growing up I was exposed to community-oriented ideologies. My family is full of healthcare professionals that spent a lot of time caring for others. As a child I always wanted to have  music in my career, although it took some time for me to find the field of music therapy, I was excited to feel connected to a former passion of mine and still connected to my goals of wanting to help people. My experiences in music have helped shape who I am today and the connections through music I hold very dear to my growth as a person. I developed a deep understanding of music and care for the human condition. I want to share my experiences in music with others and show how enriching and empowering music can be. To make music is human, we have a steady heartbeat, a  sense of rhythm, and always have a multitude of instruments within our bodies at our disposal at any moment! Our bodies’ hearts beat, we speak and sing, we can dance, we can move. Through these creative processes, I hope to continue to empower others and develop a strong connection to music and self. 

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:

Child and Adolescent  

Art, music, and play integrated within therapy sessions aid to provide a more welcoming and less intimidating space for communication and expression. CBT and DBT techniques are also utilized when necessary for positive mindset reframing and healthy behavioral development. 

Geriatric

The integration of art, music, poetry, and writing within therapy sessions can aid in memory recall and strengthen autonomy. Adaptive experiences within music therapy are often provided for purposes of autonomy and independence. 

Self-Awareness and Emotional Development

Navigating the human condition is not an easy task when you are exploring on your own. Through the creative process and verbal techniques, you can feel a deeper connection to your own personal experiences and feelings. 

Grief, Loss, and Trauma

Another experience that all humans go through. Grief, loss, and traumas can be challenging to navigate on your own. There is no one way to navigate grief, loss, or trauma. Through musicking and engaging in therapy, we can explore the inner self and connect to those parts to have a better understanding of our experience in this.