ART THERAPY IN SAN DIEGO

Speaking in color

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What is art therapy?

This approach offers a creative, healing space where self-expression takes the lead. With the guidance of a trained therapist, you use art—drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, or even color and movement. It is a fresh way to explore feelings, reduce stress, and express what might be tough to say out loud.

You don’t need to be an artist. The goal isn’t to make “good” art. We are giving shape to what’s inside. Whether you’re feeling stuck, numb, overwhelmed, or silenced, creative therapy offers another way through.

It’s therapy—just in a different language.

Jennifer Phelps, LMFT, ATR

Jennifer brings a rare mix of academic art training, clinical art therapy licensure, and down-to-earth warmth to art therapy.

With a Visual Art degree from UCSD, a Master’s in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount, and 15+ years of mental health experience, Jennifer helps adults, teens, and families work through challenges in a way that feels creative but never forced or performative.

She’s an especially great fit if you’re looking for an art therapist who makes therapy feel less intimidating, whether you’re new to therapy, unsure how to talk about what you’re carrying on the inside, or convinced you “aren’t good enough at art” to use it as a healing medium.

Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #138186, Registered Art Therapist #ATR 21-224
Specialty Areas: Art therapy, trauma, anxiety, depression, identity and relationship work, schizophrenia, addiction

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COMMON REASONS FOR ART THERAPY

Expression

Difficulty expressing emotions verbally

Healing

Recovering from trauma or dissociation

Calm

Anxiety or overwhelming emotions

Mood

Depression or disconnection

Grief

Grief and loss processing

Access

Support for children or nonverbal clients

WHAT DOES HELP LOOK LIKE?

The Pathways Approach to Art Therapy

Creative therapy is one of the ways we help clients access deeper healing when words aren’t enough. Our licensed art therapists offer a safe, judgment-free environment where creativity becomes a tool for self-discovery, emotional regulation, and release.

We use it to complement talk therapy, or as a stand-alone approach for those who feel more at home in color and shape than in conversation. Whether you’re working through trauma, navigating grief, or simply wanting to feel more connected to your emotions, art can open doors you didn’t know were there.

No pressure. No performance. Just your story, told differently.

What sets our practice apart from other San Diego art therapy providers

We look at the whole picture. At Pathways, we don’t treat people like they exist in a vacuum. We consider your relationships, family patterns, environment, and support system, because healing often lasts longer when the people and dynamics around you are part of the work.
We’re comfortable with complex stories. We work with clients navigating trauma, addiction, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and major life transitions. We’re also a strong fit for people stepping down from residential or inpatient care, or families trying to support a loved one through a difficult season.
We don’t expect you to be “good at art.” Art therapy is not about making something pretty or impressive. It’s about using creativity to express, explore, and understand what may feel hard to say out loud.
We have no waitlist. When you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help you take the next step.
We offer two San Diego office locations. In-person art therapy is available in Chula Vista and Sorrento Valley, making it easier to find support that fits your schedule and location.
We personalize the process. We blend art therapy with family systems, DBT, CBT, attachment-based, and person-centered approaches, so therapy feels tailored to you, not pulled from a script.
We’re human first. Our team values honesty, warmth, humor, and real connection. You don’t have to show up polished, perfectly prepared, or sure of what to say.

What to expect from the therapy process

1. Free initial call

We’ll start with a brief, no-pressure call so you can share what’s bringing you in and ask any questions about working with Jennifer. If it feels like a good fit, we’ll walk you through the next steps.

2. Intake session

Your first full session gives Jennifer time to understand your history, goals, relationships, and what’s got you stuck or feeling heavy lately. She’ll introduce creative options gently, so you never feel pushed into anything that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar.

3. Ongoing sessions

Sessions may include conversation, drawing, painting, collage, or other creative materials, depending on what feels useful for you. The goal is not to make “good” art; it’s to give your thoughts, emotions, and experiences another way to be seen and understood.

4. Reflection and integration

Over time, you and your therapist may look back at what you’ve created, notice patterns, and connect those insights to your life outside therapy. The process moves at your pace, with room to adjust as your needs, goals, and sense of self become clear.

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FAQs about art therapy

Do I need to be good at art to benefit from art therapy?

Not at all. Art therapy is not about making a masterpiece, and you do not need any artistic skill to start. We regularly work with people who feel nervous, self-conscious, or convinced they can’t even draw a stick figure. The art materials are simply tools for expressing feelings, memories, and experiences that may not come out easily in words.

How is art therapy different from regular talk therapy?

Talk therapy relies mostly on conversation, while art therapy adds a creative, visual, and hands-on way to process what you’re feeling. You might use drawing, painting, collage, clay, or other materials to explore something that feels hard to explain. For many people, this makes therapy feel less intimidating and helps them access emotions that talking alone may not reach.

Who is art therapy a good fit for?

Art therapy can be a good fit for children, teens, adults, and families working through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, identity questions, addiction recovery, serious mental illness, or major life transitions. It can also be helpful if you’ve felt stuck in traditional therapy, shut down when asked direct questions, or tend to understand yourself better through images, movement, color, and metaphor.

Is art therapy good for BPD?

Art therapy may be helpful for some people with personality disorders like borderline personality disorder, especially when emotions feel intense, relationships feel overwhelming, or it’s hard to slow down and name what’s happening inside. At Pathways, art therapy can be combined with approaches like DBT, CBT, attachment-based therapy, and family systems work to support emotional regulation, self-understanding, and healthier patterns over time.

Does insurance cover art therapy at Pathways?

Pathways Family Therapy is an out-of-network provider, meaning we do not bill insurance directly. We do provide monthly superbills for PPO-insured clients who want to submit claims for possible out-of-network reimbursement.