Using Art to
Expand Your Potential
Art-based psychotherapy to enhance capacity in navigating our changing world
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is an evidenced-based, experiential form of psychotherapy, using the creative process through painting, drawing, sculpting or any other creative medium that a client chooses. This process, under the guidance of a certified therapist, allows clients to safely express feelings that can be obscured in verbal expression, leading to heightened insight and self-awareness, innovation, self-esteem, empowerment and change.
The Benefits of Unbound Creativity
Set in a relaxed environment that holds no expectation or deadline, Lauren introduces art-based tools and techniques that allow clients the freedom to explore, investigate and express their thoughts and feelings in their own time.
Build self-esteem and conquer self-imposed perceptions
Develop skills to cope with and alleviate anxiety and stress
Move beyond career-related roadblocks
Work through life’s traumatic events
Experiment and play in a safe, non-judgemental setting
Unleash the creativity that lies within you
“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain."
CARL JUNG
How It Works
Why Art Helps
The purpose of using art as a power tool is not to create the next Mona Lisa or Statue of David.
Research shows that artmaking is a biological intervention and a “whole brain activity” where functions such as self-regulation, attunement, and access to new insights can be activated, with no art skills needed. Lauren’s approach begins with meeting clients where they are. Whether you are a skilled artist, consider yourself “anti-creative”, or are somewhere in-between, the process is for anyone who seeks to up-level their creativity to facilitate communication, growth, and insight. Clients feel deeply seen and heard, and often leave sessions feeling relaxed and energized with new perspectives.
Appointments take place virtually on Zoom or in-person on a case-by-case basis.
Who Can Benefit
No matter your age, career or artistic aptitude, art therapy and art-based wellness tools are suited to all.
With a mission to bring the benefits of art into the mainstream, Lauren works with innovators (and The Innovator living inside us all) who have a desire to access their gift so that they can widen their horizons and better serve their purpose and cause.
Lauren also specializes in working with groups, finding the visual image is uniquely suited to “leveling the playing field”; externalizing and containing conflict; and providing a fresh perspective with the opportunity to explore options for innovation and positive change.
Here are some of the clients lauren has helped in the past:
Creative Professionals
C-Suite Executives
Leadership Teams
Individuals...
Who feel marginalized
Who feel they are blocked or are having difficulty untapping their creativity
Individuals dealing with...
Trauma
Life and work Transitions
Bereavement and Loss
Belongingness
Substance Abuse
Tools of Expression
Every person has a unique style of verbal expression. Artistic expression is no different.
Here are some of the many tools and materials clients use in our sessions:
Crayons & pastels
Colored pencils & markers
Clay
Chalk
Charcoal
3D sculpture
Watercolor & acrylic paints
Magazines for collage-making
Word blocks (for sentence construction)
ART LAB
Weekly reconnection with our calm, clarity, creativity & connection. Thursdays 12 noon – 1pm ET
Look for my link Thursday mornings!
Join this gentle, restorative and surprisingly powerful wellness group for weekly support.
Pay as you attend. Email me at info@laurenzeltzer.com with questions – or to get on
my email list to receive the weekly link.
Here’s what previous participants have said about “Art Lab”:
“...I had no idea how powerfully meaningful the experience would be. Lauren’s insightful guidance
through this unanticipated emotional exploration made for a wonderful and deeply meaningful
experience”
“New insight I gleaned from my art is ‘Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees”.
“I noticed feeling more focused and calmer throughout my week.”
“I looked forward to the group all week and felt calmer knowing I had it on my schedule.”
“I felt inspired by and connected with the other group members.”
“I’m continuing to use my art to find calm and insight since the group ended.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT art lab AND HOW YOU CAN JOIN BY CLICKING BELOW
Reduce Stress.
Channel Your Emotions.
Beat Burnout.
Contact Lauren to find out how working together through art-based psychotherapy and wellness can bring positive change to your life.
Meet Lauren, Art Therapist
“I believe that if you are human, you are an artist. And an artist’s greatest sense of creativity is their humanness.”
Hi, I’m Lauren Zeltzer a board certified, licensed psychotherapist/creative arts therapist.
Lauren has been working in the field of “human potential” for over 40 years, beginning as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, then designing international economic development programs in West Africa. Staying curious, listening deeply to understand the lived experiences of others, and strategizing sustainable solutions by building on people’s strengths are the ongoing hallmarks of her work.
After collaborating on a livestock project to help villagers resettle following a catastrophic volcanic lake explosion in Cameroon, she wondered how emotional trauma could be addressed across language and culture. This led her to art therapy (a modality that accesses more of our brains than just talking) then becoming an art therapist, specialized in treating trauma.
Before starting her private practice in 2020, Lauren was the art therapist at NY Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Midtown Treatment Center, an outpatient substance abuse clinic in Manhattan, using art therapy to help people self-medicating for trauma and a range of mental health issues.
In her private psychotherapy practice Lauren now helps clients address a wide range of mental health issues, using art therapy to inspire new ways of thinking to bring their best selves to their life and work. She also leads “Online Art Lab” and art-based “wellness groups”, bringing people together from all walks of life to build community and inspired collaboration.
(Clients include Catholic Guardian Services, The African Services Committee, New York Medical College, The Asian American Federation, and The Katonah Library.)
She has graduate degrees from NYU Steinhardt School of Art Therapy and Columbia School of International Affairs.
Learn more about Lauren at www.laurenzeltzer.com or contact her at info@laurenzeltzer.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance? . . .
Psychotherapy services are reimbursable for out-of-network benefits from several insurance plans. Please consult with your insurance provider for “out of network benefit” policies. Feel free to contact me with any further questions and I’d be happy to assist you. I will supply an invoice at the end of each month, which you can use to file a claim with your insurance carrier.
Is my information confidential? . . .
The law protects the relationship between a psychotherapist and client and information cannot be disclosed without express written consent. However I am mandated by the law to report all cases of abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults, as well as cases in which there exists a danger to self or others. In these instances every effort is made to ensure the safety of those affected as required by law.
I may discuss your case with a colleague or mentor for the purposes of supervision in order to provide the best possible services to you. If this is done, it will be done without disclosing your name or any identifying information.
What is your cancellation policy? . . .
Clients are responsible for paying for all scheduled sessions if cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the appointment.
What forms of payment do you accept? . . .
I accept check, Venmo, and Zelle.