The Artful Life

Therapy? Or "Therapeutic" ? The difference between “therapeutic” and “therapy” is a hot topic in the fields of psychology and social work right now -- this two words are so similar, is there even a difference? YES, there is, so don't be fooled! “Therapeutic” refers to the activities that make a person feel good or relieve anxiety -- you probably engage in these kinds of therapeutic activities on a regular basis and don’t even realize it! For example, taking a walk can be a stress reliever for many people. Perhaps the fresh air and different scenery give you a sense of relief. Utilizing art materials in a mindful way can also be therapeutic, but it is important to note that what happens in sessions at The Artful Life is more than just enjoying coloring or clay. Working with art on your own can be a profoundly reflective and relieving experience, however, therapeutic activities are NOT therapy! In order to be considered “therapy,” a mental health professional nee...

Meet The Intern: Jeana Alfano, Endicott College Hi everyone! My name is Jeana and if you can't already tell, I am currently interning at The Artful Life! I am a senior at Endicott College in Beverly, MA, however, I was born and raised in New York State. I have loved exploring the North Shore over the past three years.  To many people’s surprise, I am a criminal justice major with a minor in theatre. I say this because anyone who knows me, knows how passionate I am about theatre and music. I chose to be a criminal justice major way back when, and through various courses and internships at Endicott, I determined that I needed to follow my heart and find a middle ground between a field that has a lot of opportunities, and a field that allows me to express myself. This desire led me to expressive arts therapy -- and here I am, the first stop of my journey to finding my place in this world.  I hope to make expressive arts therapy more accessible to people who have b...

Meet The Intake Coordinator: Jen Spanedda Jen at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland (Outside of work, she is an avid traveler!) If you are looking to connect with the Artful Life, the first person you will probably be speaking with is Jen Spanedda, our Intake Coordinator! Jen started at the Artful Life in September 2018 as an intern, and joined the team as an official employee the following spring. She is thrilled to be a part of The Artful Life team and is grateful for the opportunity to promote and provide both individuals and greater community with the power of creative expression. Jen is currently finishing her Masters in Social Work, is a registered PATH Intl. therapeutic riding instructor, and has years of experience in non-traditional settings with a variety of populations (including but not limited to children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and other life stressors). She is committed to encouraging growth and r...

Meet The Therapist: Rebecca A. Perry, LMHC, ATR Rebecca is a licensed mental health counselor who earned her Masters degree in Art Therapy from Lesley University in 2010 and has since worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings.  Being well versed in a multitude of art mediums, Rebecca is able to utilize a combination of approaches in her art therapy work that best meets the needs of the individual.  Clinically, Rebecca is committed to supporting the individual from a holistic point and adapting to the needs of the client.  Having worked with individuals from a wide range of settings, she is mindful of the impact of one’s environment and circumstances on both the issues at hand and how best to address them.  This could range from working in the visual arts, to music, movement, play therapy, and a variety of other approaches.  In addition, she works to empower the person to gain a sense of agency over their own life and feel c...

Meet The Therapist: Madelene Pario, LMHC, ATR-BC Madelene is a licensed mental health counselor, board-certified, registered art therapist, and artist with a Master's degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also works as an adjunct professor at Lesley University. In addition to children and families, Madelene also works with adolescents and adults with a diverse range of issues. Her areas of clinical expertise include: anxiety, depression, PTSD, racing thoughts, anger management, hyperactivity, bipolar disorder, group work and parenting support. ​Madelene is trained in cognitive behavioral trauma-focused therapy for children (TF-CBT), and is a Level One Certified Trauma-Informed Art Therapist. She is also trained in both DBT and EMDR, a treatment used to help with trauma and phobias.  She uses an eclectic approach, incorporating her skills in Art Therapy with Positive Psychology, Focusing, Mindfulness and DBT to treat a diverse range ...