DIANE WALD
LCAT, ATR-BC®
ART THERAPY IN KINGSTON, NY

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses the process of making art as a way to work through experience.It doesn’t rely only on talking. It includes working with materials—drawing, paint, clay, sand tray, and others—as a way to express, explore, and shift things that may be hard to put into words.The focus isn’t on making something “good.” It’s on what happens while you’re making, and how that process affects your thoughts, feelings, and sense of yourself.

MY APPROACH

My approach is hands-on, process-based, and relational.Sessions center on working directly with materials. There isn’t a set structure to follow—the process develops as you go. You don’t need to arrive with a plan or know where to begin.My role shifts with what’s happening. At times I’m more of a steady presence alongside you. At other times I take a more active role—working with you, offering direction, or engaging more directly. The level of involvement isn’t fixed; it changes depending on what supports the process.What unfolds is shaped through an ongoing exchange between you, the materials, and the session itself. Sometimes you lead and I follow. Other times I step in more directly. That movement back and forth is part of the work.Different materials invite different ways of working. The way you use them can change pace, attention, and overall experience. Part of the process is finding what supports you in the moment and allowing that to shift over time.This work is also informed by an ecological perspective. Attention is given not just to the individual, but to relationship—between you, the materials, the space, and the larger environment you’re part of. At times this includes working with natural or found materials, but more broadly it shapes how the process is understood.The goal isn’t to analyze or fix. It’s to engage with the process in a way that allows something to shift, develop, or become clearer through doing.

WHO IT'S FOR

Preteens, teens, and adults.For people who:
feel stuck
are going through a change
feel overwhelmed or shut down
are looking for a more hands-on way to work through things

THE SPACE

Sessions take place in a quiet, studio office in Kingston, NY.There are two connected spaces:- a fully equipped art studio
- a dedicated sand tray room with a large collection of miniaturesThe setting is warm, flexible, and designed for focused, hands-on work.

ABOUT

I’m a lifelong artist and maker, drawn to working with my hands and exploring a wide range of materials and processes.I earned a B.A. in Art Education, then went on to complete my master’s degree in art therapy and creativity development at Pratt Institute.Over the years, I’ve worked with children, teens, and adults in both studio and clinical settings. I now work with pre-teens, teens, and adults in a private office studio in Kingston, NY.I’m a New York State (NYS) Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and a Board Certified Registered Art TherapistSM (ATR-BC®)

SESSIONS

Sessions are in-person and one-on-one, shaped by your pace and what unfolds over time.The work is not structured around diagnosis or clinical treatment.All materials are included.45 minutes — $ 125
60 minutes — $ 140If cost is a barrier, feel free to reach out. Sliding scale options are available.