Words are a primary form of communication, but sometimes we struggle to capture the complexity of an event and our response to it. Art therapy is a process that encourages clients to gently explore the inner pathways of their experience so that they can ultimately gain awareness and understanding of their life experiences. Creating art in a safe environment allows clients to use materials to express themselves in an unfiltered and honest way, and strive for meaningful interpretations that will bring inspiration and an improved sense of balance.

By creating their own art, clients can go beyond the spoken word. When there are no words to express the pain or the discomfort, something else arises in the silence and the art that is created oftentimes provides a window into the fear, or into the pain, and the honesty of that moment can motivate, liberate and ultimately bring an enhanced sense of well-being.

People often describe grief as a giant wave of sadness that keeps knocking the person down on a daily basis. Sometimes smaller waves come in and don’t “hit” as hard, but there always seems to be a bigger wave just behind, catching them by surprise some other day.

Renée's approach to loss starts with the notion that everyone grieves differently and that there are no definitive timelines or stages that one has to go through in order to be “fine.” Instead, she believes that grief is more like a cloak that we always have with us, even if we're not always wearing it. The goal is to learn how to carry it, since our grief is our most intimate connection to that person who is no longer here.

Renée opens a doorway into the realm of this unique sadness, and creates experientials for children, teens and adults that allow her clients to meet those waves by learning to lean into them instead of resisting them.

For those struggling with loss and separation, art therapy is a creative process that allows clients to discover their own resources for how to live their best lives, and where they can discover their own resilience to do so.

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way…"
Georgia O'Keefe

In her role as a a licensed creative arts therapist, Renée encourages and facilitates expressive activities for children, teenagers, and adults who are engaged with creatively processing and transforming traumatic life events. She also provides tools of resilience to help support and balance their lives.

Art therapy sessions include many types of modalities (clay, watercolor, pastel, painting and more) and Renee will often use journaling and other written imagery with her clients. Sessions may take the approach of art making as an activity, or focus upon the exploration of intra-personal dynamics.

In a gentle and relaxed atmosphere, clients find venues for authentic self-expression. Art making produces powerful images and symbols that offer a lens into the uniqueness of our own lives. Through the creative process clients discover freedom in self-expression and find release from anxiety and fear.

Renée received her Masters of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle and is licensed by the state of New York. Her main area of expertise is in Grief and Bereavement Counseling for adults and children.
She also supports and counsels individuals and families confronted with chronic and oftentimes terminal illness. In addition, Renée counsels individuals and couples who have experienced child loss, perinatal and/or neonatal loss, including stillbirth. Her gentle and sensitive nature consistently provides comfort and relief from the immediate harshness of the experience, and she is dedicated to helping her clients discover their own seeds of resilience along such a personal journey. In addition to the healing benefits and improved sense of well-being that art therapy provides, Renée also offers traditional counseling services to clients of all ages, providing treatment in such areas as clinical anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.

“Creativity takes courage.”
Henri Matisse

When my daughter started seeing Renée Pastolove she was so withdrawn she was almost silent. My daughter had been to many different therapists and none could reach her. Renée had a way of connecting with her at age 12 that no one else could do. With Renée's help and support my daughter is now able to express her feelings with strong words. Her smile has returned. She is no longer silent. My daughter still faces her own interpersonal struggles day to day. However, she is much better able to cope after learning life skills and coping mechanisms from Renée. - R.A.

We came to know Renée after losing our son. She gently guided us through the fog of mourning and was by our sides as we moved through all the waves of grief. She was always able to sense exactly what we needed and she had the words or art activity to help us process what we were feeling. We are beyond grateful to her. Renée has a gift for helping and healing, and she is a gift in this world. - G.M & G.V.

RENÉE PASTOLOVE