Art therapy
Working with materials to express and explore what is hard to say.
Art · dance/movement
Experiential therapy, for when words are not enough
Art and dance/movement therapy offer ways to explore feelings through making and moving, alongside conversation. No artistic or dance experience is needed.
Overview
What experiential therapy is
Experiential therapies use creative and physical expression as part of therapy. In art therapy, you might draw, paint, or work with collage. In dance/movement therapy, you might explore gesture, rhythm, or stillness. Reflection and talking are always included.
These approaches can help when feelings are hard to put into words, or when talking alone has started to feel repetitive.
What we help with
What experiential therapy can support
Experiential therapy is used with trauma, grief, anxiety, body image concerns, and life transitions. It can also support people who want to feel more connected to their body, their creativity, or parts of themselves that feel hard to reach.
Sessions may include movement. Your therapist will always invite, never require, and you can stay seated or observe at any time.
Common concerns
- Trauma & PTSD
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Body image
- Life transitions
- Self-expression
- Stress
- Identity
Who this is for
For people who think in images, movement, or feeling
Experiential therapy can be a fit if you process best through doing, if emotions feel stuck in the body, or if traditional talk therapy has not felt like the right fit. It welcomes beginners and people with creative backgrounds alike.
May be offered in individual, couples, or group formats.
No experience needed
There is no right way to draw, move, or feel.
The process matters more than anything you make or do.
Schedule a consultationHow we work
Two experiential approaches at Repose
Dance/movement therapy
Using gesture, posture, and movement to notice and express emotion.
Reflection
Talking together about what came up and what it might mean.
Your role
What experiential therapy asks of you
Be curious
Try things lightly. You can always change direction.
Choose your level
Every activity can be adapted, slowed down, or skipped.
Share what you notice
Your reflections guide where the session goes next.
What to expect
Preparation
A consultation, then matching with a creative arts or somatic therapist.
Process
Sessions blend making or moving with conversation, in the same session.
Integration
Noticing new ways of expressing yourself outside of therapy.
Ongoing
Adjusting the mix of creative work and talking over time.
Questions people ask
Questions about experiential therapy
Do I need to be good at art or dance?
No. Experiential therapy is not about skill or performance. It is about noticing and expressing what is happening inside you.
Will I have to move in front of my therapist?
Sessions may include movement, and you are always in charge of how much. You can move a little, stay seated, or talk about what you notice instead.
Can this be done online?
Yes. Many clients do art or movement work by video with simple materials at home. Your therapist will suggest what to have on hand.
Who leads these sessions?
Experiential sessions are led by licensed therapists with training in creative arts or movement-based approaches.
Begin
We're here when you're ready.
A free consultation can help you explore whether this fits.
Schedule a consultationUnion Square · Pleasantville · Online in NY, NJ & CT