Art Therapy
When words aren't enough to hold it
Art therapy offers a gentle, powerful way to process what lives beneath the surface - grief, anxiety, shame, trauma, and self-doubt - through the language of creative expression. You don't have to be an artist. You just have to be willing.
Art therapy is a clinically grounded, evidence-based mental health treatment - and it's one of the powerful modalities we offer at Bluebird Counseling Center for clients in Lititz, and Lancaster County, PA
Art therapy is real therapy - with a brush in hand
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process - drawing, painting, collage, clay, and more - as a vehicle for emotional expression, self-exploration, and healing. It's grounded in decades of clinical research and led by board-certified art therapists with specialized master's-level training. You don't have to make "good" art. You don't need any artistic experience. What matters is what comes through — and what your therapist helps you understand about it. Sometimes the image says what the words can't. At Bluebird Counseling Center, art therapy is offered by Jodi Spiegel, MA, ATR-BC, LAPC, a board-certified art therapist ready to support you through anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and neurodivergent populations, in Lititz, PA.
Do I have to be artistic?
Absolutely not. Art therapy isn't about the quality of the art. It's about the process. Whatever you make is exactly right.
Is this just arts and crafts?
No. Art therapy is a clinical discipline. Sessions are facilitated by a credentialed therapist trained to work at the intersection of psychology and creative expression.
Will I have to talk about my art?
Only if you want to. Your therapist may invite reflection, but there's no pressure. The work speaks, and you hold the meaning.
Who is art therapy for?
People of all ages and backgrounds. It's especially effective when verbal processing feels stuck, overwhelming, or impossible.
You may find art therapy helpful if...
Creative expression can meet people where talk therapy alone sometimes can't
Anxiety & Worry
When your mind won't quiet down, creating something with your hands can ground you in the present and offer relief that sitting with thoughts cannot.
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma is stored somatically, in the body, not just in through. Art therapy can access and process traumatic materials in ways that protect the nervous system.
Neurodivergence
(ADHD/Autism)
Art therapy can feel like a natural fit for neurodivergent individuals, offering a sensory-engaged, strengths-based space where difference is embraced, not pathologized.
Depression & Low Mood
When your mind won't quiet down, creating something with your hands can ground you in the present and offer relief that sitting with thoughts cannot.
Grief & Loss
Grief doesn't follow a script. Art therapy honors the non-linear, deeply personal experience of loss, making space for what can't be spoken aloud.
Life Transitions
Divorce, job loss, identity shifts, becoming a parent -- creative exploration helps process transitions that are too complex or tender for words alone.
Shame & Low Confidence
When shame lives in the body but not yet in words, creative work can bring it gentle forward, and help you begin to see yourself with kinder eyes.
Kids & Teens
Kids often don't have the developmental vocabulary to name what they're feeling. Art gives them a language, and a safe way to let the grown-up in the room in.
Feeling Stuck in Talk Therapy
If traditional therapy has felt limited, or you sense there's more underneath that isn't reaching the surface, art therapy pay be the key that unlocks it.
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."
-Thomas Merton
Board Certified Registered Art Therapist
Jodi is a board-certified art therapist and Licensed Associate Professional Counselor who brings warmth, creativity, and clinical skill to every session. She holds a Master's degree in Art Therapy and is credentialed through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), the standard of excellence in the profession. Jodi works with children, adolescents, and adults, and is passionate about creating a space where every person, regardless of their artistic background, feels seen, safe, and free to explore what's inside. She has specialized experience with grief, identity challenges, neurodivergent individuals, and clients navigating trauma and shame. Under clinical supervision at Bluebird Counseling Center, in Lititz, PA. Jodi is committed to the practice of art therapy as a meaningful, evidence-based path to healing, not a supplemental activity, but a full therapeutic modality in its own right.
Frequently asked questions
Does art therapy count as a "real" therapy session for insurance?
Yes. Art therapy sessions at Bluebird Counseling Center are billed as outpatient individual psychotherapy sessions and are eligible for coverage under accepted insurance plans. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to verify your mental health benefits prior to your first appointment.
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What insurance plans does Bluebird accept for art therapy?
Jodi is able to accept Capital BlueCross, Highmark, UPMC, Ambetter, and Aetna. Please reach out to us at info@bluebirdcc.org to inquire further.
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Can I request art therapy specifically, or will my therapist suggest it?
Both! You can absolutely request art therapy when scheduling, and we'll connect you with Jodi. If you're working with another provider at Bluebird and your therapist believes art therapy might benefit you, they may also make a referral or recommendation for you to explore it.
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Is art therapy available for children in Lititz, PA?
Yes. Art therapy can be especially powerful for children and adolescents who are still developing the verbal tools to name and communicate complex emotions. Jodi has experience working with young people across a range of needs and developmental stages. Jodi works with children as young as six years old.
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Do I keep the artwork I make in sessions?
That's a conversation you'll have with your therapist. In many cases, yes, your work is yours. In some cases, your therapist may ask to keep certain pieces temporarily as part of the therapeutic process. Either way, your artwork and what it means to you is always honored with respect and confidentiality.​
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Is art therapy available via telehealth?
Some elements of art therapy can be adapted for virtual sessions. Our team will work with you to determine what format best suits your needs, goals, and schedule. We encourage clients who are interested in in-person creative work to visit our office in Lititz, PA when possible.