Art Therapy: Creativity as a Path for Healing
In the opening chapters of Genesis, we encounter God the Father as an intentional and deeply engaged Creator. His wonder and glory are revealed in every part of creation. Then, in Genesis 2, He declares, “Let us make man in our image.” Not only did He design the world with precision and care, but He also formed each of us uniquely—with purpose, beauty, and individuality. From the very beginning, God invited us to join Him as co-creators, entrusting us with the sacred work of stewarding and filling the earth.
Creativity, then, is far more than a pastime or an acquired skill. It is a divine gift—one that can also become a powerful pathway for emotional and relational healing.
As a Board Certified Art Therapist, Michelle is passionate about helping individuals engage creatively—through visual art, writing, metaphor, and storytelling—as a means of finding healing and wholeness. Art therapy isn’t about being an artist or producing something impressive. It’s about using creative expression to process emotions, express what words often cannot, and make meaning out of pain or life’s challenges. It offers a visual and experiential reminder of God’s promise to bring beauty from ashes.
This approach is especially meaningful for those who:
Are navigating life’s challenges and transitions
Desire a deeper connection with themselves and their Creator
Are open to exploring healing through creative, expressive means
Art therapy at Hesed House provides a safe and sacred space to explore, create, and heal—guided by the belief that creativity reflects the image of our Creator and opens doors to restoration.
One of the things I value most about creativity is its ability to facilitate deep and meaningful connection:
Creativity connects us to God.
We are made in the image of the Creator, fashioned to co-create alongside Him—called to bring forth what is true, good, and beautiful. Engaging in creative work is a sacred echo of our identity and purpose. It draws us into communion with God and into deeper awareness of the beauty He’s placed in the world around us. Creativity isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s part of who we all are.
Creativity connects us to others.
Art gives shape, color, and voice to the parts of ourselves that words may not easily express. In sharing that creative work—whether through collaboration, conversation, or simple presence—we experience vulnerability, intimacy, and healing. There’s also joy and delight in making something together, and I’ve witnessed how that joy fosters connection and builds authentic community.
Creativity connects us to ourselves.
The act of creating often reflects how we see the world and how we experience our own story. It allows us to tune in to our inner world—to uncover, explore, and express thoughts, emotions, or experiences that may otherwise remain hidden. Regardless of skill level or perceived ability, creativity is a powerful and accessible tool for self-discovery and healing.
At Hesed House Art, creativity is gently woven into spiritual direction, counseling, and retreat experiences. These opportunities for creative engagement are designed to support honest self-exploration, deepen spiritual awareness, and foster meaningful connection—with yourself, with others, and most importantly, with the Lord.
Why Creativity?
Creativity has been a central part of God’s redemptive work in my life. From an early age, I found joy in creative play—experimenting with my mom’s sewing machine, designing clothes, or crafting a classroom yearbook for my stuffed animals. Over the years, I’ve explored a wide range of creative mediums including ceramics, jewelry-making, sewing, book-making, art prayer journaling, and printmaking. In every season of life, creative expression has helped me navigate life’s challenges and become a powerful way for me to connect more deeply with God and foster His healing in my life.
This deep relationship with creativity—and the theology that has grown from it—is at the heart of Hesed House Art and foundational to my work as a faith-based counselor and spiritual director.
Meet Michelle
At the heart of what I offer is an authentic relationship, shaped by deep, reflective listening, and creative engagement as a means of connecting every part of ourselves to the heart of our Creator, ultimately leading us on the path of healing, renewal, and an abundant life. These interwoven threads form the foundation of Hesed House Art—a place for restoration, reflection, and renewal through sacred companioning and creative exploration.
