Creative Expressions for Healing and Renewal

Creative Expression for Healing and Renewal

Art Therapy Anxiety and Depression Support Group

This art therapy support group offers a gentle, supportive space for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm. Rather than defining you, these experiences are approached with curiosity, compassion, and openness, inviting exploration, expression, and transformation through the creative process. Through guided artmaking, mindfulness, and reflection, you will be supported in developing a deeper relationship with yourself, honoring both the heavier emotions you may carry and the parts of you seeking connection, meaning, and renewal. Together, we explore the balance between light and shadow, stillness and movement, grounding, and expression. In a small, intimate group setting, participants are invited to engage in both verbal sharing, which is always optional, and non-verbal creative expression. No prior art experience is needed. This is a space where you can come exactly as you are, without pressure, judgment, or expectation. Whether you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply seeking a deeper sense of self, this group offers a supportive and safe colorful environment to relax, play, create, and release strong emotions, yet most of all find purpose and meaning through creativity and connection with others.

Materials and Creative Process:

Sessions incorporate a variety of sensory, expressive, and grounding materials, including watercolor and acrylic painting, oil pastels, soft pastels, charcoal, colored pencils, collage and mixed media, self-care booklets, mask making, box making, wish jars, clay and tactile materials, journaling and intuitive mark making, mindful breath based art exercises, and nature based artmaking using leaves, flowers, and natural elements. These materials allow for expression beyond words, especially when words feel difficult or unavailable.

What You May Experience:

A safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space, connection with others who understand, tools for managing anxiety and emotional overwhelm, creative ways to express and process thoughts and feelings, increased self-awareness and emotional insight, nervous system regulation through art and mindfulness, a sense of connection and shared experience, and a greater sense of clarity, meaning, and personal agency. You are not alone, and healing can begin through the simple act of creating.

Facilitated by Jess Matos, MS, ATR (she/her)

Fridays 4:00-5:30pm

Will start once the group has reached minimum sign ups!

$850 for 10 weeks ($85 / 90 min group)

Two payments of $425

Maximum Capacity: 8

Limited spots available! Secure your spot today!

This group is in-person at the East Bay Art Therapy office in Oakland, CA.

This group takes place 4 times per year, one for each season.