Discover the Power of Art Therapy in Hillsboro, Oregon
Creative, Somatic, and Trauma-Informed Support at Ancora Wellness
If you’ve ever struggled to put your feelings into words, you’re not alone. At Ancora Wellness, we understand that healing takes many forms—which is why we’re proud to offer art therapy in Hillsboro, Oregon with Shannon Garcia, Associate Art Therapist.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health practice that combines psychotherapy with creative expression. It is billed just like talk-therapy, so insurance benefits can be utilized! Clients use tools like drawing, painting, collage, and other visual media to explore thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. No art skills are required—just a willingness to be curious and open.
Art therapy can help individuals:
- Understand and process emotions
- Explore identity and life stories
- Build coping tools and emotional regulation
- Heal from trauma, anxiety, grief, or life transitions
Why Choose Art Therapy?
Art therapy is particularly powerful for those who:
- Feel “stuck” in talk therapy
- Have experienced trauma or chronic stress
- Find it difficult to express emotions verbally
- Are neurodivergent or highly sensitive
- Want to reconnect with creativity or body-based practices
At Ancora Wellness, our trauma-informed and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming approach ensures that each client is supported in a safe, respectful environment.
A Somatic Approach to Healing
Unlike traditional talk therapy, art therapy is a somatic (body-based) therapy. When we create art, we engage the senses—holding a brush, blending colors, tearing paper—and bring awareness back into the body. This can help regulate the nervous system, process stored emotions, and foster a sense of calm and grounding.
In this way, art therapy supports holistic mental health by addressing both emotional and physical aspects of well-being.
Reflect, Reimagine, and Heal
Art therapy also serves as a reflective practice. With the guidance of an art therapist, clients can:
- Revisit the past with new insight
- Explore present challenges safely
- Envision future goals and growth
- Uncover new ways of viewing themselves
Art becomes a mirror—and sometimes a map—on the path toward healing and self-discovery.
Meet Shannon Garcia, Associate Art Therapist
Shannon Garcia brings warmth, empathy, and creativity to her work with clients. As an Associate Art Therapist at Ancora Wellness, she creates a welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds to explore their emotions, values, and experiences through visual storytelling. Shannon is especially skilled at working with trauma, anxiety, identity exploration, and life transitions.
Art Therapy in Hillsboro, Oregon – Start Your Journey
If you’re looking for art therapy in Hillsboro, Oregon, or simply want to try a new approach to therapy that honors your whole self—mind, body, and spirit—we invite you to connect with Shannon and our team at Ancora Wellness.
Starting in August, 2025, Shannon will be leading an art therapy group for helpers, healers, and others who hold space for others. Learn more here. And, as always, join us at the Hillsboro Art Walk the first Tuesday of each month for the intersection of arts and wellness.
