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Narrative

Arts Therapy

Whittier Street Health Center’s Arts Therapy Department offers individual and group arts therapy to patients and students including Boston Public Schools. We offer art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, and expressive arts therapy, an intermodal approach.

Arts therapists are established health care professionals, similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy that 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. In addition to our clinical programs at Whittier, we also bring these offerings to children and teens and adults in schools, domestic violence shelters, and in nursing homes.

The team works closely with school staff and parents to determine which students would benefit most from these services. In addition to 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, Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and visual and hearing impairments. The relationship between the therapist and the student is primary, and art, music, drama, and dance-movement activities provide a point of contact which is available to all people, regardless of ability or disability. They make use of each student’s natural curiosity and expression while engaging them in developmental tasks. The arts experiences focus on utilizing existing strengths and abilities to help 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
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Mental Illness
• Physical Disabilities

Ages Served

• 3 - 4
• 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