Creative Therapy for the Heart~ Art Therapy and Verbal Counseling for children, teens and adults

About Erin M. Berk 

I have over ten years of experience as a Child and Family Therapist working in various agencies in Portland and The Portland Public Schools as a school based Therapist.

I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at the Florida State University, and my Masters Degree in Art Therapy/ Counseling from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

I am a registered Art Therapist and Qualified Mental Health Professional in Oregon.I offer a safe and nurturing space that holds you life's concerns in a warm and compassionate way. 
I look forward to hearing from you.

Please call for a free 20 minute phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit for one another.
(971)-222-9290 erinberk@msn.com

My practice

* Are you feeling overwhelmed with life's challenges and having difficulty in your relationships with others?

* Do you feel disconnected from your self and unsure how to regain your sense of direction ?

* Is your child or teen have behavior outbursts at home?

* Is your child or teen- sad, depressed and having trouble in school?

I will support you or your child in getting to the root issue/pattern that is causing the problem, as well as supporting you in regaining a sense of hope, clarity and balance in your life. As a Creative, interactive, solution-focused Art Therapist, my treatment approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns.

With sensitivity and compassion, Together we will work together to find solutions to a wide range of life challenges and psychological issues. Blending conventional and alternative creative approaches such as Art Therapy, photo therapy.

I draw on a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each client. I work with each client to help them build on their strengths to identify and achieve life goals.

My areas of specialization for adults include: anxiety, depression, parenting, life transitions, grief /loss and self esteem/body awareness

With children and teens, I'm able to assist with childhood transitions, grief, loss of loved one, behavior and school problems, depression, anxiety, anger management, body image, low self esteem, coping with divorce and the complications of blended families.

The great Sufi mystic and poet Rumi wrote:

You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and truth.
You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings .
You were not meant for crawling so don't!
You were born with wings Learn to use them and fly !

erinberk@msn.com (971)-222-9290

Please call to set up a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Art Therapy ~Resources

Art therapy for your child

Growing up is stressful, and children often need extra support through the hard times. Whether its the pain of bereavement, the divided loyalties of divorce, or simply the pressure of competition in the classroom, children often do not have the words to talk about their emotions. Instead, they act out their feelings with symbolic behaviors. Art therapy is a safe place where children can draw out their dilemmas on paper or pound out intense feelings on clay. Feeling understood and accepted helps them to begin to talk about their worries so that they can get back in control of their behaviors and get back to the important things. Like learning, playing, making friends and enjoying life.

Art Therapy for adults

Art therapy can bring relief for feelings of isolation and depression and feelings of low self esteem . It is as easy as simple lines and colors, shapes or marks on paper, canvas, or soft clay. Since time immemorial, humans have used art expression to record, transform and transcend their experiences of suffering and pain. Every human has this ability, including you.

In a typical session
I will provide a space and materials for the gradual unveiling of a surprising self that you may have lost or may not yet know. This happens according to your needs and your pace. We may discuss your art process and I may help with acceptance and understanding of your experiences, your images and your feelings. However, you are the center of the process and it is my approach to emphasize and nurture your awareness of a growing ability to feel in control.



If you are experiencing a crisis or need to speak with someone right away- please contact the below numbers for HELP-or 911.





Crisis Lines: Multnomah Co.503-988-4888
Washington Co.503-291-9111
Portland Women's Crisis Line 888-235-4888







Links about Art Therapy and Healing~


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_therapy

http://www.art-therapy.us/art_therapy.htm

http://www.healthandgoodness.com/

http://www.arttherapy.org/
http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com/
http://interactionscounseling.com/helpingmorepeople/index.htm
http://www.interluderetreat.com/medinstr.htm
http://spoolman.com/sdaeop4/selfdefeatingbehavior.html

Local resources-


http://www.sacredartstudio.net/homepage.html


http://www.philipmberk.com/



http://www.foodisnottheenemy.com/



http://www.portlandmamasinc.org


http://www.babybluesconnection.org/





Posted by Erin Berk at 11:10 AM