Are you interested in how art therapy can help you and/or your family? Kayla Helenske, MA, LMHCA is co-owner of Circle of Art Studios where she teaches art classes and operates her art therapy and mental health counseling practice, Expressive Journeys. The studio is located on the west side of 15th Ave right off of Dravus Street at 2821 Thorndyke Ave with easy access to Queen Anne residents.
Helenske’s practice is unique to the area being the only mixed media and pottery studio for kids and adults to also include art therapy and mental health counseling services. Nearly half of the families who frequent the studio are Queen Anne residents because of the easy commute and fantastic services.
Helenske supports individuals in moving forward and growing healthier lives and relationships through holistic and creative processes. For over 15 years she has been weaving her love of art, healing and community through her own art process, teaching art, facilitating art therapy groups and meeting with individual clients and families.
Helenske focuses her practice in working primarily with children, teens and women with a multitude of presenting symptoms such as anxiety, depression, loss and grief, emotional regulation, life transitions, self-esteem and social skills.
Art therapy is a means of utilizing art materials to allow thoughts and feelings to move as you dialogue with your inner canvas through lines, shapes and colors giving image to what the experience feels and looks like in your body. The art allows the maker to capture a moment – a tactile representation of thoughts, feelings, as well as further connect and reflect upon what is working, not working or perhaps missing from their life.
The process of creating also allows for a cathartic experience, expelling built up stress, anger and/or grief. The actual feelings of anger, sadness and grief are emotions experienced by everyone. Withholding these feelings and suppressing them can impact our physical and mental health, as well as relationships with others. As a client centered and strength based therapist, Helenske also intertwines mindfulness in her practice guiding clients to note how they feel before, during and after art making which is often accompanied with witness writing their thoughts.
Along with meeting with individual clients, Helenske offers group work including Women’s Identity and Stress Reduction, Intuitive Painting Classes and The Art of Friendship: A Social Skills Group for kids. Friends and families can also schedule private sessions to come together to process loss and grief, transitions or reconnect as a family through art making.
Circle of Art Studios offers a multitude of services including mixed media and pottery classes for kids and adults, art+wine events, raku parties, team-building events and birthday parties. If you are looking to reconnect with your friends and family, let Circle of Art Studios help you host your next gathering. Please visit Circle of Arts Studios website for more information.
You can learn more about Kayla Helenske and her practice, Expressive Journeys, via Circle of Art Studios’ website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.