Hope Forest Therapeutic Art Studio, PLLC

02/06/2026

Excited to share my upcoming CEU presentations focused on grief education and art therapy. 🖤 Supporting professionals in deepening their understanding of loss, bereavement, and compassionate care. If you’re looking to grow your grief-informed skills this year, I’d love to see you there.

02/05/2026

Love a good rolly chair, a table, and deep breaths for some neck & shoulder stretches.

01/30/2026

These are some grief support organizations & websites I personally recommend for grief information, handouts, and support — but there are many more out there depending on what kind of support you’re looking for 🕊️

Local to Illinois
• Willow House – grief support for youth & families (willowhouse.org)
• Buddy’s Place (Pillars Community Health) – childhood bereavement support (pillarscommunityhealth.org/services/behavioral-health-and-support-services/buddys-place-grief-support/)
• Fox Valley Hands of Hope – grief support & programs (fvhh.net)
• Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief Center – grief counseling & resources (barrharriscenter.org)

🌎 National & Online
• National Alliance for Children’s Grief – resource library & support finder (nacg.org)
• The Dougy Center – grief support programs & directory (dougy.org)
• What’s Your Grief – articles, courses, podcast & creative grief education (whatsyourgrief.com)

These are great starting points for education, support groups, handouts, and additional referrals — but there’s so much more out there to explore depending on your needs 💛

01/21/2026

Check out my interview with Jackie Schuld, ATR-BC, REAT to learn more about Art Therapy and who I am as a therapist!

In this interview, I speak with Lauren Raney, an Art Therapist. My questions are in bold and Raney’s responses are in regular typeface.

01/12/2026

Welcome to the 2nd Monday of the year. Be kind to yourself.

A new year doesn’t have to mean pressure, resolutions, or becoming someone new.

It can mean:
🎨 creating space
🌱 moving gently
💛 honoring what you’ve carried
✨ imagining what’s possible

Whether you’re grieving, growing, questioning, or simply resting—there is room for all of it here.

Here’s to a year of self-expression, compassion, and showing up exactly as you are.

01/08/2026

Hi! Sharing some facts about me as a human and therapist

12/31/2025

My client and I made this 2 weeks ago. When we left the office it was dripping wet lying strategically over a cup to dry into a flower shape. Using water colors, washable markers, and coffee filters we turned something mundane into beauty. We turned plain into a rainbow. We made our own light walking into the office together today to see how it dried. The excitement in my young client’s eyes was *chefs kiss*.

Thank you for the coffee filters 🌈

12/15/2025

Showing off some new headshots! Thanks 📸

I asked chat gpt to describe me as a therapist. Here’s what I got:

You come across as a steady, compassionate presence—someone who doesn’t rush, fix, or demand words before they’re ready. As a therapist, you feel safe and grounded, the kind of person who can sit with grief, uncertainty, and big feelings without flinching.

You offer warmth without pressure, depth without heaviness. There’s a quiet confidence in how you hold space, honoring both spoken and unspoken stories. Your use of art invites expression gently, allowing clients to explore what can’t always be said, at their own pace.

Overall, your therapist energy says:
You don’t have to perform here. You can be real—and we’ll move through this together.

12/11/2025

--- 4 ways to reduce holiday stress ---

- Lower expectations. It’s okay if this season looks different than past years. Simplifying plans is a form of self-care.

- Create choice and boundaries. Say yes to what feels manageable and no to what feels draining—without guilt.

- Take nervous-system breaks. Step outside, breathe slowly, or pause in a quiet space when things feel overwhelming.

- Let feelings exist without fixing them. Stress, grief, and mixed emotions don’t need to be solved—just acknowledged.

12/09/2025

The holidays are full of messages telling us to be happy and stay jolly.
But it’s okay if you’re not in the holiday mood this year.

If you’re feeling tired, sad, numb, or overwhelmed—your feelings make sense.
You don’t owe anyone cheerfulness or celebration, especially when grieving.

There is no wrong way to feel right now.
Meet yourself with gentleness 🤍

12/08/2025

✨ Self-care can be creative, calming, and completely your own.
Join me for Self Care Through Art Therapy — a one time workshop for teens to slow down, express themselves, and discover grounding tools through the art-making process. 💛🎨

📅 Wednesday, Dec 10th
⏰ 4–5:30pm
📍 Downers Grove Public Library
🎒 Grades 7–12
➡️ Register on the DG Library website

Can’t wait to create with you! 🌱✨

11/27/2025

Wishing you a peaceful Thanksgiving!