Philadelphia Art Therapy Associates (PhATA) is a diverse group of clinicians striving to build a better world abundant with love, compassion, empathy, and benevolent interdependence. We believe that everyone deserves to be safe, feel well, and find meaning and contentment in this life. Sometimes circumstances make things difficult for us to get there. We’re here to help. PhATA was formed because people function and communicate at their highest capacity when tapping into creativity. Our therapists create supportive, trusting relationships using the creative process, art making, and discussion. Although our clinical associates come from diverse backgrounds, we are of similar minds about one thing. We intend to forge a better world using our unique therapy gifts, one client at a time. You can expect:
~To be a partner in an equal, empathic, and collaborative relationship with your therapist when treatment planning or participating in therapy.
~To be treated with the utmost respect and receive superlative ‘customer service’ as guided by the golden rule, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
~That we will accept and celebrate your race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We’re committed to creating a just and inclusive society for everyone.
Client Focus
Session Format: Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior
Treatment Approach
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Biopsychosocial Therapy Takes into account biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health. It looks at the whole person, not just symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Developmental Therapy Looks at how childhood and developmental experiences affect current challenges. It aims to repair unmet needs and foster healthy growth.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Intersubjective Therapy Explores the shared emotional experience between therapist and client. It emphasizes connection and mutual understanding.
- Jungian Therapy Draws on Carl Jung’s ideas about archetypes, dreams, and the collective unconscious. It helps people explore deeper layers of meaning.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Sandplay Therapy Uses sand trays and miniature figures to allow symbolic expression. It is especially helpful for children and trauma survivors.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: No client needs to be a good artist to benefit from art therapy! As art therapists, we encourage clients to explore materials to find your most comfortable channel of communication – including verbal therapy. Our default approach is to be person-centered, which means we believe that our clients have an innate drive to heal, grow, and maximize your vast personal potential. We trust you and trust the process, which frees us to work collaboratively with you throughout and in each session.
Art Therapy breeds self-awareness and understanding. Awareness of feelings. Awareness of thoughts. Awareness of identity. Awareness of old patterns of coping and relating to others. Awareness of new coping abilities and personal power. Awareness of new possibilities. When you develop awareness, suddenly, you expand choice. Choice ignites freedom. It’s freedom that enables you to intentionally craft the life you desire and deserve. The creative process and your art products function like a mirror. We can help you 'see yourself', your role in relationships, your patterns of coping, and then you can evaluate whether they still work for you – and what you can do today and tomorrow to feel and function better.
We follow your lead but, through empathic listening and deep understanding, we may also make suggestions or recommendations to advance your process. We care to find out what is important to you and what your vision and needs are. Through an interactive process, we help you clear out the emotional obstacles, discover clarity, and take the steps to get your needs met. Our therapists have comprehensive education in a wide range of evidence-based treatment philosophies and approaches. Therefore, we are able to hand pick just the right intervention to meet your immediate needs, from approaches such as (but not limited to): Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Depth Psychotherapy (Dynamic and Jungian), Trauma-Focused CBT, Narrative, Solution-Focused, Social Skills Training, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Structural Family Therapy, Mindfulness, etc.
Education & Credentials
Philadelphia Art Therapy Associates MA, ATR-BC, LPC
- Male
- License # PC001526
- Licensed in Pennsylvania
- Practicing Since 1995
Education: All PhATA therapists have master’s degrees in art therapy and are licensed professional counselors in PA. Each individual therapist may have unique postgraduate certifications or specialties that can be explored in the “meet our therapists” page on our website.
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee $175
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- PATA Offers an Affordable Therapy Service with Lower Fees & Adjustable Rates to Fit Your Financial Situation ~Group Therapies: $30 per 1-hour session ~Individual Therapy: $60 per 1-hour session If these rates are still too expensive, DON’T WORRY! We will work with you to figure out a fee that won’t financially harm your family. We NEVER want finances to stand between you and critical Art Therapy services. Presently, this option is only available at our Haverford location and at a partner organization in Merion, PA. These accessible services are provided by art therapy interns who are able to slide their fees as low as $5 for qualifying families. If you ask for sliding rates, we will need to review your most recent tax return or pay stub. The intern will plug the information into a grid-system that determines the discount level you are eligible for based on income (according to U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines and size of your household).
- Out of Network
- We do not bill insurance companies directly and are out-of-network for all insurance companies. We provide receipts and clients are responsible for submitting claims for out-of-network reimbursement. We do not participate with M.A.
Philadelphia Art Therapy Associates Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Haverford, PA 19041 and Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Available Online for residents of Pennsylvania
- Online Therapy Details: Zoom Meeting Platform
We can help clients of any age overcome a wide range of challenges, including (but not limited to): trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression, anger, body image, grief and loss, relationship issues, sexuality, family conflict, parenting issues, academic or work stress, self-identity, aging, medical or health issues, and much more.
We take a developmental approach to adulthood. Our associates address the needs of the entire adult lifespan, whether you are launching in your twenties, partnering with a special person and creating a home life, creating and/or navigating your career, transitioning through midlife, caring for children or older family members, entering retirement, or reflecting on your life in old age. Our therapists will help you work on and master the developmental tasks and new identity that comes with each stage.
The act of making art is therapeutic, but Art Therapy occurs within a healthy therapeutic relationship, which we view as sacred. We are master’s level mental health clinicians with specialized training in the creative process, art-making, and visual communication within the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, PhATA Art Therapists are Board Certified and Licensed Professional Counselors in PA.
On Social/Racial Justice, Diversity, & Inclusion
We intend that our clients and therapists reflect the glorious diversity of humanity including race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, socioeconomic status, etc. All are welcome and we wish to have everyone feel safe and accepted in our therapy spaces. There can sometimes be an unspoken/implicit power structure between therapist and client. We wish to identify and undo that dynamic, so clients feel equal, empowered, and collaborative in their treatment throughout their experience with PhATA.
We constantly strive to learn and improve our anti-racist and inclusive policies and habits. We view our relationship with our clients and the larger community as a partnership to create a better world. Although our staff does not seem diverse at this time, real efforts to change that are in motion. Every staff person at PhATA invites questions and feedback about diversity and inclusion, and power and privilege, so we can create a better world, together.
Fees
Philadelphia Art Therapy Associates (PhATA) offers both therapy groups and individual therapy. Cost varies based on location, service type, and by therapist, and will be discussed with you in your initial phone consultation. Most group therapies cost $85 and most individual and family sessions cost $175. Each associate has a few slots in their schedule in which they can slide their fees for qualifying families. Also, please read below about our Affordable-Accessible Therapy Option, presently only available only at our Haverford office.
Payment is required at the time of each session by credit/debit card, payable through our secure online billing system.
Insurance
PhATA therapists are out of network for all insurance companies. We do not bill insurers directly. Our therapists are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC’s), and many insurance companies will reimburse a portion of the group or individual fee.
Please check with your insurance company to determine if it covers out-of-network mental health benefits. PhATA’s parent company, the Child and Family Art Therapy Center provides a monthly receipt with all necessary information to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. PhATA therapists are not Medical Assistance (MA) providers.
Affordable-Accessible Therapy Option
We’re living though challenging times. Perhaps you struggled with emotions or relationships, or a job, or unemployment for some time. You tried everything you can think of, but things didn’t improve. You searched for therapeutic help, but it was hard to find a good therapist! Perhaps verbal therapy worked for a while, but you plateaued and now feel stuck. Private pay therapy is too expensive.
PhATA Offers an Affordable Therapy Service with lower fees & adjustable rates. At our Haverford location, we can slide our rates to meet your financial need. Check out our website for information.