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Narrative

Arts Therapy

Whittier Street Health Center’s Arts Therapy Department offers one-on-one and group arts therapy to members and students including Boston Public Schools. We offer:

• art therapy
• music therapy
• drama therapy
• expressive arts therapy 

an intermodal approach.

Arts therapists are established health care professionals, like occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT).  We use the arts to address a full range of physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social needs of children.

Our Arts Therapists also hold licenses as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). In these therapies, the focus is on nonverbal communication of feelings through the arts, music, and dance. Also at our clinical programs at Whittier, we also bring these offerings to children and teens and adults in:

• schools
• domestic violence shelters 
• nursing homes

The team works closely with school staff and parents to find which students would benefit most from these services. Also, addressing behavioral and educational issues, arts therapy is often considered the treatment of choice for many people with:

• communication challenges
• neurological disorders
• autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Down’s Syndrome
• cerebral palsy
• visual and hearing impairments

The relationship between the therapist and the student is first. Art, music, drama, and dance-movement activities give a point of contact. It is available to all people, regardless of ability or disability. We make use of each student’s natural curiosity and expression. We engage them in developmental tasks. The arts experiences focus on using existing strengths and abilities. People can build compensatory skills, and to grow and learn in all areas.

Service Types

• Skills Training
• Socialization Activities

Program Type

• Counseling

Populations Served

• All Disabilities
• Autism Spectrum
• Behavior Disorder
• Developmental Disability
• Elderly Person with disabilities
• Hard of Hearing
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Language Impairment
• Mental Illness
• Panic Disorder
• Physical Disabilities
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Speech Impairment
• Visual Impairment

Ages Served

• 3 - 4
• 5 - 8
• 9 - 13
• 14 - 18
• 19 - 22
• 23 – 59
• 60 +

Accessibility Features

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Public Transportation
• Accessible Restrooms
• Elevators
• Near Public Transportation
• Services at School
• Wheelchair Ramps

Additional Information

• Fees: MassHealth, Medicare, Private Insurance, Personal Funds
• Licensed By: LMHC,ATR