About Psychotherapy - Art Therapy - Dawn Wade- HeartMindAndHealth

Dawn Wade, MA, (RETIRED) LMFT, ATR

Heart Mind And Health Therapy

I am Retired and NOT seeing clients as of 05/22/2025.

I am Retired and NOT seeing clients as of 05/22/2025.

Copyright © Dawn Wade, LMFT (RETIRED)

Experience- Life & Education:

      I am a Retired Art Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (RETIRED).

A broken heart can give us strength, understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and will never know the joy of being imperfect. - Unknown author

I have worked with people from age six to eighty-six and a variety of diagnoses and issues including: personality disorders, mood disorders, dual diagnosis, developmental delays, autism, PTSD and trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, loss, anger and stress.  I am RETIRED from practice..

     M.A., Marital & Family Therapy and completion of Graduate Art Therapy Program from Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA
B.A., Psychology and Art Studio (double major) from University of California Davis

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT - RETIRED)
Registered Art Therapist - Retired
Certified Hypnotherapist - Retired

RETIRED

EMDR Practitioner (Level 2)
Brainspotting Practitioner

Consultant for professional Art Therapy and Psychotherapy colleagues and practices (2009 to May 2025)
    Consultation Group Facilitator (2013 to 2018)

Information from this site is meant to be used with the guidance of a licensed mental health professional; the information provided on this site does not constitute a therapy relationship.

 | Therapy Style | Why use an MFT or Art Therapist? |

I specialized in Art Therapy, which can be use in a variety of ways or not at all in our sessions together. Perhaps a portion or all of your session would work better by exploring an issue in a non-verbal manner.

A picture can be worth a thousand words. -Anonymous

Have you ever felt unclear about what to say, how to say it, or perhaps there are no words yet? I can help you bridge the non-verbal and clarify the verbal by helping you access your creative resources through visualization. Art is one way to make a concrete visualization, and it does not require art skills. All you need is a desire to explore.

Words that clients often will use to describe Art Therapy: fun, safe, helpful, enlightening, and transformative.

Art therapy tools can include, but are not limited to the following:
clay, paper mache, playdoh
collage
dreamwork
drawing
exploration of hobbies & interests
metaphor & symbolism
music
painting
photography
sandtray
sculpture
visualization
writing

Why work with a MFT or an Art Therapist?

Therapists work in private practice as well as various other settings with individuals (children, adolescents, adults, and elders), couples, and families, providing support and perspective as clients explore issues and life's challenges.

A Marriage and Family Therapist may help individuals, couples, and families explore and solve problems. An Art Therapist can provide an additional outlet and tools to conventional talk therapy.

A Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) can utilize a variety of customized techniques, like Brainspotting and EMDR, to resolve problems or reduce symptoms in the shortest time possible. We also have the skills to help where more intensive, long-term treatment is needed for relief, resolution, and healing. In other words, we help clients work-out solutions according to individual values and lifestyles. We use psychology, research, and our training, and rely on the expertise of our colleagues when we conduct confidential consultations regarding your issues.

Issues that Marriage and Family Therapists & Art Therapists can help (including, not limited too):
Anxiety & Depression
Divorce, separation, or transitioning lifestyles
Emotional or mental stress
Excessive alcohol or drug use

HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) concerns
LBGTQ concerns
Fear, anger, or guilt
Feelings of loneliness & isolation
Grief or emotional loss & pain
Trauma & PTSD
Unexplained fatigue

Common uses of Art Therapy to help and heal include, but are not limited to the following:

Children or young adults having problems in school
Children, adolescents, adults, and couples with personal problems
Parents and families struggling with adoption, parenting, blending, or re-unification
People with more serious issues such as autism, brain injuries, cancer, depression, eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
People under stress or pressure
People with a general mental health issues
People with learning disabilities or difficulties
Anyone who would simply like to explore themselves more deeply can be someone who uses art therapy.