Guide to Online Art Therapy for Parents

Supporting Parents through the use of Art Therapy.

Parenting is a mix of wonderful and hard. It’s one of life’s most rewarding and demanding roles. Whether you're raising toddlers, tweens, or teens, juggling work and home life, or simply trying to stay grounded through it all—you deserve support. One of the ways I support parents is through art therapy.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process to support emotional well-being. Through drawing, painting, collage, or other creative methods, you can explore feelings, reduce stress, and gain insight. No art skills are needed—just a willingness to express yourself.

Why Art Therapy for Parents?

Parenting often means putting everyone else first. Art therapy creates a space just for you. It can help you:

• Process parenting stress, guilt, or anxiety

• Navigate relationship dynamics (with partners, co-parents, or children)

• Manage burnout and overwhelm

• Reconnect with your identity beyond parenthood

• Cope with big transitions (returning to work, divorce, blended families, etc.)

• Heal from past trauma that parenting may resurface

Benefits of Online Art Therapy for Parents

• Convenient & Flexible: Access support from home—ideal for busy schedules

• Emotion Regulation: Art helps soothe nervous system stress

• Mindful Self-Connection: Carving out time to reflect and create promotes self-awareness

• Compassionate Parenting: As you heal and grow, you model emotional resilience for your children

• Creative Outlet: A nonverbal, expressive tool to release emotions you might not have words for

What to Expect in a Session

Online art therapy is tailored to your needs and schedule. Here’s how a typical session might flow:

1. Check-In: Brief talk to set the focus or explore what’s been coming up

2. Art-Making: Guided or intuitive creative process using materials you have on hand

3. Reflection: A supportive conversation about what the art brings up emotionally or symbolically

You always control how much you share and what you explore. The process is gentle, collaborative, and affirming.

Suggested Materials

You don’t need anything fancy. Some helpful basics include:

• Paper or sketchbook

• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons

• Paints or pastels (if available)

• Glue sticks, scissors, and old magazines (for collage)

We can tailor activities to what you have available and what you feel most comfortable with.

FAQs

How long are the sessions?
Sessions are 45 minutes to fit into shorter time frames, especially for busy parents.

Is this therapy just for moms?
Not at all. Art therapy is for any parent, including dads, stepparents, grandparents, or caregivers.

Will I have to talk about parenting the whole time?
Only if you want to. The Art Therapy sessions can focus on any area of your life where you need support.

Can art therapy help with parenting challenges?
Yes. You can process real-time frustrations, understand emotional triggers, and explore new coping tools.

Getting Started with Virtual Art Therapy in San Diego

1. Reflect: What areas of life feel overwhelming, stuck, or in need of care?

2. Reach Out: Connect with Tami for a complimentary, 15-minute phone call to see if it’s a good fit.

3. Schedule your First session. Complete some online documentation.

4. Set Up a Space: A quiet corner and a few materials are all you need along with a strong Internet connection. A desktop or laptop work best.

5. Give Yourself Permission: You are worthy of support, creativity, and healing.

You Matter, Too.

In giving so much to your children, it can be easy to forget your own needs. Online art therapy is a gentle, restorative space just for you. Through creativity, you can rediscover clarity, calm, and compassion—not only for your family but for yourself.

Ready to begin? Reach out and take your first step into a more grounded and creative you.