Expressive Arts

Garine Kevranian

September 12, 2022 by Garine Kevranian

Garine Kevranian specializes in treating trauma and its effects, working within modalities such as EMDR, expressive arts, and mindfulness-based therapy. She received her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.

Gar believes therapy is a collaboration and tailors her work with each client to best suit their needs, desires, and goals. She aims to address specific stuck points and areas clients would like to see change in their lives.

Gar has a special interest in working with teens, adults, and families navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and/or relational trauma. She provides therapy in Armenian.

Becoming Water: a support group for Black, Indigenous, and WOC (womxn/women/femmes) FALL Cycle

August 5, 2022 by Camara Rajabari

Becoming Water is a 7-week arts-based support group for Black, Indigenous, and POC women/womxn/femmes experiencing anxiety and depression. This group is facilitated by Camara Meri Rajabari, LMFT. The exact date TBD.

Water has long been associated with flow and emotions. Water can often mirror feelings of peace, calm or overwhelm, and chaos. Many earth-based communities relate to water as spiritual energy essential to our lives. They advocate for water, knowing without it, we are in danger. With our bodies consisting of approximately 60% water— we are “life.” The questions arise: “How do we advocate for our life?” “What waters within us are worthy of our protection?” “What memories are carried and preserved by our waters?” This group is an invitation to re-connect to the element and spirit of water and its ability to nourish us—to help us ground, find inner peace with our divine rhythms.

Becoming water is an arts-based, ancestral, collective support group for womxn/women/femmes who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This group offers tools to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression through creative processes. We will build community by slowly re-imagining self-worth, care of the self, and transforming our sense of self as women/womxn/femmes navigating systems rooted in oppression. The group will tap into intuition, dreams, and synchronicities as valuable and powerful resources for personal growth and wellness.

No Arts Experience needed.

Is This For Me? Yes, if…

You often feel anxious.
Your anxiety is so overwhelming that you sometimes feel hopeless.
You are curious about your feelings and emotions.
You are open to art processes even if you are not an “artist.”
You are open to processing in community and have space to be present with the stories and experiences of others.
You are available to attend all group sessions–consistently and on time. *You will be charged regardless of attendance.
You are willing to help create, support, and follow the group’s community ground rules.
You are committed to the confidentiality of the group members and the group process.

What will we do?

You’re invited to engage in various body & breath processes to ground in your body in your unique way.
You’re invited to sing, hum, tone, and offer sound as a way of communicating.
You’re invited to use art materials wildly and boldly –to break rules of what is perceived as “art” and drop into expression.
You’re invited to exit the mind–what is rational and logical to embrace the mystery, the nonverbal, the seemingly imperfect parts of yourself as authentically necessary.
You’re invited to capture your dreams and share them with the group for further insights.
You’re invited to remain heart-centered while breathing fire (anger), laughing sunshine (belly laughs), or weeping water (sadness).
You’re invited to BE…being present, let go, release, invoke as needed.

Jennifer Quan

October 28, 2021 by Jennifer Quan

Rooted in trauma-informed social justice and holistic perspectives, I’m passionate about facilitating transformative healing processes and empowering skill-building with people of all ages. Together, we can attend to what is happening and needed on the levels of mind, heart, body, and spirit for healing trauma and nurturing resilience.

You can expect me to be warm and curious, honest and engaged, open-minded and deeply affirming. I hold deep appreciation for multicultural experience and identity, and it’s especially meaningful for me to work with people who are marginalized by institutions of power and privilege.

I move through the world as a second generation Asian American woman, empath, life long learner, auntie, evolving spirit, and lover of nature, creative expression, and embodied movement. I believe in the power of joy, vulnerability, and authentic expression in forging a path towards personal and collective liberation.

Stephanie McWoods

August 17, 2021 by Stephanie McWoods

As a therapist I aim to provide a space that is beautiful, safe, and healing for folks who have few said spaces in the world. I aim to challenge the status quo, -isms, and White Supremacy. I have spent many of my years living and surviving in these oppressive systems that were not created for me or my people. In learning to adapt and “succeed” in these systems that do not appreciate nor nourish my spirit I have transitioned to unapologetically making space for myself and thriving. I found that in being unapologetically me I have no limits to my abilities, dreams, or connections. In my work with clients, I invite them to take the leap of letting go of socially constructed views of how they should be or exist and rather settle into what they desire and what works for them. I believe life can be easy and liberating when we step outside of these oppressive and limiting systems.

I encourage clients to live their best lives unapologetically and ruthlessly. I support clients with addressing trauma, emotional hang-ups, anxiety, depression, as well as celebrating the journey to self-discovery and re-centering.

Since 2017, I have provided a number of specialized therapeutic services to those who identify as BIPOC, Queer, Gender Non Conforming, or Trans dealing with challenging life experiences. My client’s well-being is a priority, and I go above and beyond to support them through their obstacles.

I work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations. I help to restore relational balance and authenticity. I provide a healing space that is welcoming to those who hold marginalized identities. My style is direct, collaborative, conversational and affirming. I use a decolonized, social justice oriented lens and focus on race-based trauma and historical trauma. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.

BIPOC Adult Group Therapy

May 28, 2021 by Christhmus Presence

Join AMJ and Christhmus Presence for pay-as-you-may virtual group therapy. Sessions start 8/24. Late enrollment closes 9/7.

Sessions are 90 minutes and will be held once a week over the course of 10 weeks. Group capacity is 8-10 people.

About AMJ (they/them/their):

AMJ, ASW is a queer, disabled, nonbinary Black femme descendant of Africans who were enslaved in the Southeastern United States and ultimately settled in Low Country/Gullah Geechee/Lower Creek/Yamasee lands (Savannah, GA). They are a “coachy therapist”, focused on helping (QT)BIPOC blend ancestral healing traditions with therapeutic approaches such as Brainspotting, healing-centered (aka trauma-informed) therapy, expressive arts, aromatherapy, and problem-solving. AMJ resides in San Pedro and takes care of self via gardening, music, food, and their adorably snarky doggo named Dilla.

About Christhmus (pronoun at your pleasure):

Christhmus Presence (Chris Chu) will be facilitating all groups above, and is a 3.5-generation Muwekma Ohlone (San Francisco) land-settler, and Chinese-American Queer by Ancestors’ way of Guangdong, China. Pillars that guide them are liberation psychology, narrative psychology, somatic psychology, trauma-informed therapy, spirituality, and expressive arts. Tools held in support of self-resourcing, clarity, and ancestral connectivity include meditation, Tapping, and Brainspotting. They enjoy plants, creative expression, the power of community, and being in water.
Registered Associate MFT #125037 through The Center for Mindful Psychotherapy, supervised by Shawana Booker LCSW #29165

Perry Clark

November 5, 2020 by Perry Clark

The question is: What is tangling you up? Are you tangled up in anxiety, sadness,& doubt? Are you held by insecurity &uncertainty? Are you slowed by feeling disconnected & getting caught unaware? Have the paths become overgrown and you can’t find or are questioning the sign before you? Growth is about using and building new skills, all of which take time, and nurturing. Growth is about finding solutions that apply to the situation and not just the general world. Both of these are elements of the hope. Hope is something we need to move us through the day, and it does require updating.

We don’t live in isolation, which means it’s very easy to get tangled up and mired in things, situations, people, and feelings that keep us from growing. We need to understand them, so we can cut them away or down, to allow you to move forward with new skills and hope for living.

We don’t learn to tie our shoes or hold a fork instantly. It takes care from those around us to do so, and it isn’t easy. It’s a skill I hope we can find together.

Brianna Brazle

September 9, 2020 by Brianna Brazle

Hello I am Brianna!

This is where I’m supposed to write about myself and assure you through my extensive experience and education that “Brianna is absolutely qualified to help me change my life.” Well, I am sure all of that will be listed somewhere in this profile :). I prefer to be more authentic, not focus so much on the things that make me acceptable to society’s standards but instead focus on one of my greatest assets as a therapist. That asset is something you have as well – humanness and understanding. Because once we peel back the layers, the years of education, the books read, certifications received – once that’s all stripped back, what ultimately connects us is our ability to understand each other on a human level. Through this connection, change is sparked.

“The only permission, the only validation, and the only opinion that matters in our quest for greatness is our own.” –Dr. Steve Maraboli

My Values and Approach

I view therapy as a road trip, wherein you are the driver. My role is, passenger and I help you to reach your destination. Sometimes that’s providing guidance through google maps, others it’s finding the best tunes to listen to on the journey, sometimes it’s making sure you stay awake so we don’t crash, and others just being there so you don’t feel alone. My goal and role is to help you reach your destination. It won’t always be an easy journey but as long as your willing to keep your foot on the petals I’ll be there to support!

I truly believe in meeting you were you are and through this leveled connection we can work together to build on your strengths to reach your desired heights of fulfillment.

Mixed Race Identity Group

September 3, 2020 by Jennie Runde

Join Jennie Powe Runde MFT, for Mixed Identity Group. Beginning Tuesday October 27th at 9:15am, Jennie invites folks of mixed heritage- including those who identify as bi/multiracial, multicultural, mixed, or some other category not defined or mentioned here relating to being “more than one” – to unpack and explore the complexity of mixed identity in community.

Over 8 weeks, group members will come together in a safe and supportive space to talk about identity, community, and being fully seen.

You can sign up by booking a phone consultation through this link and sending a message that you’d like to be included in the group this time around. We’ll set up a time to chat to confirm it’s a good fit to join.

Here’s a general outline of what we’ll cover over the 8 weeks together:

Week 1– Laying the groundwork- labels and context

Week 2– Who are you? The inner mask and outer mask

Week 3– “What are you?” Being seen by others- finding our touchstone

Week 4– Turning inwards- What’s missing? Creating what’s needed

Week 5– Who am I? Considering a True Reflection

Week 6– Who are We? Acknowledging with Awareness

Week 7– What are We? Collaging Community

Week 8– Commencement and Return

The group has a ‘flexible frame’, with a common theme or idea being explored each week tied to an expressive arts directive. The content of the group is determined by group members, who are invited to bring what feels most pressing, relevant, and important into the group space.

We are often asked- both directly and indirectly- to not talk about our mixedness. In this group, all of you is welcome, including the parts that may feel new, ancient, unexplored, or unwelcome outside this shared space.

Click here for the event flier.

Christhmus Presence

June 22, 2020 by Christhmus Presence

Christhmus is a 3.5-generation Muwekma Ohlone (San Francisco) land-settler and Chinese-American Queer. Foundational pillars are liberation psychology, narrative psychology, somatic psychology, spirituality, and expressive arts. Tools held are meditation, Tapping, and Brainspotting. They enjoy plants, creative expression, the power of community, and being in water.

Nadia Santiago

April 22, 2020 by Nadia Santiago

Hi there ✋😁

I’m a Transformative Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness Coach. I’m on a mission to motivate and inspire individuals to live their best lives by leading fun, but effective dance, strength, and yoga classes, AND by sharing engaging online content. I’ve been teaching group classes and leading one on one personal training sessions for more than eight years, but I’ve got a lifetime of experience with physical activity! So movement is in my blood.

What I love more than anything is sharing the experience of movement with others. And I truly believe that the best way to exercise, for strength, better health, and happiness, is to do something you enjoy! That’s why I aim to make every session fun!

I really love to work with individuals and groups that have a passion for learning and are open to slightly unconventional methods of practicing yoga/exercising. As a personal trainer, I’ve got quite a bit of experience tailoring programs to fit the needs of my students and clients. So whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned practitioner, I’m happy to create a plan that is designed specifically for you.

For more information about my offerings, feel free to head over to my website, which is linked above. You can also check out the Transform with Nadia Facebook Fanpage to stay up to date on upcoming events.

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