Bringing Different Perspectives Through Art
The deepest emotions spread over a canvas and are brought to light.
Art Therapist
Gwen is a board-certified art therapist. Art therapists are master-level clinicians who engage with individuals of every age in a wide range of environments. Her education and supervised training qualify her for culturally competent work with varied groups in a range of contexts, guided by ethical norms and the scope of practice. Art therapists deal with those who are struggling with medical and mental health issues, as well as those seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth while respecting their clients' values and beliefs.
Art therapy, through the use of integrative means, engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that verbal articulation alone cannot. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities encourage other modalities of receptive and expressive communication that can work around language's limits. Individual, social, and societal transformations are facilitated through visual and symbolic expression. Gwen may provide art therapy directives and encourage art making to increase exploration of current issues. Non-directive open art allows the person to take risks and carry this success into their daily lives. Gwen acts as an observer during the art-making to reflect on the process that relates to the spoken word.
Individuals
Individual psychotherapy is for those dealing with communication concerns, issues of intimacy, and complications related to life changes. Occasionally clients attend sessions due to traumatic events which have impacted their daily life, as well as issues related to both current and past family problems. Gwen can work with you to help you understand the emotions that accompany these difficulties, and how to overcome them.
Couples
Couples might be experiencing stress in their relationship and need an objective listener and guide to help them figure out how to reestablish themselves as as a couple. They often come to therapy yearning for connection, intimacy and compassion but may feel lost in their failed attempts to achieve authentic communication with each other. Skills to rebuild these missing parts can help foster change to rekindle the relationship.
Families
Children and adolescents who have behavioral and emotional troubles need consistency and structure, and an increased level of positive communication. This is for parents struggling to find balance with the demands of life, work, and the pleasure of their families. After gathering the history of the family structure and previously used interventions, we can explore the challenges to consistent implementation and reinstate parental authority.
Meet Your Psychotherapist
Gwen J. Sanders has over 25 years of professional expertise treating chronically mentally ill adults, emotionally disturbed adolescents, and their families in clinics and day treatment centers. Gwen has served as an Employee Assistant Professional (EAP) for the postal service and a Military and Family Life Consultant (MFLC) in Europe with active duty, military reserves, and their families. Gwen has owned a private psychotherapy practice since 1996 when Gwen was certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Gwen has also been a CAMFT Certified Supervisor since 2003. Her primary focus has always been working with both individuals and couples.
Gwen obtained her BFA from California College of the Arts, previously CCAC. Gwen has earned an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy with a focus on art therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University (previously CND) and a Ph.D. in Art Therapy in 2016. For over two decades, Gwen has educated MFT students and art therapists at several universities. Gwen has established programs and administered clinical training to educators, non-profit organizations, graduate schools, and governmental organizations, and presented papers, workshops and been on several panels at national and statewide conferences.
" A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
- Einstein
Clinical Consultations
Agencies, individuals, and diverse groups can request and arrange consultations. Corporations may also benefit from this program by increasing the vibrancy and ingenuity of their staff's communication and team development through an artistic medium. Clinical workshops, clinical supervision, and training courses are all conducted by Gwen.
- Clinical Workshops
Group workshops that promise to boost creativity, insight, mastery, self-motivation, and goal planning. The finest attribute of a clinician is their intuition. These workshops are designed to promote transformation and increase inventiveness.
- Clinical Supervision
Gwen's outpatient practice comprises of ongoing mentorship for aspiring art therapists and Therapists in-Training. Gwen provides monthly and weekly groups, triadic group supervision as well as individual supervision. Contracts for master-level individual and group supervision are also available for agencies.
- The CAMFT Certified Supervision
Gwen has been a CAMFT Certified Supervisor since 2003. Supervision skills are different than clinical/treatment skills, and the knowledge and skills required for supervision and clinical treatment are different. CAMFT recognizes that therapists who undertake the responsibility of supervising others owe those persons a duty to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent supervision. Gwen can provide the monthly required supervisor to become a CAMFT Certified Supervisor
Gwen's 2003 qualifications as a California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) Certified Supervisor and an Art Therapy Clinical Supervisor (ATCS) make all of this viable. Do not hesitate to call for a consultation today!
ATCS
Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor
ATR-BC
Board Certified Art Therapist,
since 1993
LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, since 1996
CAMFT
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
“Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.” –Rabindranath Tagore”
Art Therapy Workshops
In addition to the clinical consultations, we also offer a wide range of workshops. These group workshops aid in the development of creativity and comprehension. This results in increased drive, pleasure, and identity.
- Art as Process: Winged Victory, Trust as you Leap
This program focuses on the arts and writing. The metaphor of the Winged Victory expresses how we might make that leap of faith when the moment is ideal for a transformation. You will be able to respect what transpires if you consider future outcomes that support creating an intention of letting go and taking chances.
These courses are facilitated by Gwen's acumen as an Employment Assistance Professional (EAP), which has helped hone her talents to swiftly identify the more pertinent issues that comprise the scope of her job. As a coach, Gwen highlights strengths and solutions while deconstructing detrimental habits via problem-solving.
Managing Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety disorders are distinguished by unreasonable and excessive dread, as well as chronically increased levels of anxiety. In certain illnesses, such as particular phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder, the trigger for the inappropriate dread and anxiety is evident and well-defined; in others, such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, the cause is unspecific or not identified. Depression is typically distinguished by a loss of interest in everyday tasks, feelings of hopelessness, a lack of energy and attention, and feelings of ineptitude. Depression and anxiety have shared clinical characteristics.
Anxiety and depression may be daunting, especially if you suffer from both disorders and/or are unsure which one you have. But you do not have to deal with such symptoms entirely on your own. Seeking treatment for discomfort that lasts more than a few days and continues to interfere with your everyday life can go a long way toward enabling you in finding relief. There are several therapy methods available for depression and anxiety. Gwen is always available to help with identifying symptoms and potential causes, as well as researching the most effective treatment options.
Healing Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition brought on by experiencing or witnessing an upsetting high stress instance. Behavioral symptoms sometimes occur within one month of a stressful experience, but they can also appear years afterwards. Flashbacks, nightmares, and acute anxiety, as well as uncontrolled thoughts about the incident, may be symptoms. These symptoms produce substantial challenges in social or occupational settings, as well as in relationships. They can also impair your capacity to carry out your routine everyday responsibilities. Experiences of acute stress are different for everyone, so it is the subjective experience of each person that dictates whether or not they have PTSD.
Gwen's years of industry experience can facilitate you in reconfiguring the mental habits that are giving you troubles. The process will empower you in exploring how you perceive about your trauma and developing new coping skills. Gwen would love to be alongside you during your healing journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out and get in touch with her.
Links & Resources
American Art Therapy Association
The Northern California Art Therapy Association
California Association of Marriage & Family Therapy
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Withdrawal.net
www.withdrawal.net/resources/withdrawal/oakland-ca/
Treatment4Addiction
www.treatment4addiction.com/rehab/california/oakland/
RehabCenter.net
Medicare Plans
RIGHT TO A GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE
Prior to beginning treatment, you are entitled to receive this “Good Faith Estimate” of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you. While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know in advance how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services provided. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you. This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider listed, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified here.
This Good Faith Estimate is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment or a prediction that you may need to attend a specified number of psychotherapy visits. The number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depends on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time.
- Services Requested: 50-minute psychotherapy sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Art Therapist
