Healing Expressions

Healing Expressions Lani Kent is a Story-Informed Trauma Mentor, Therapeutic Arts Facilitator, Artist, Speaker & Writer

I am slowly finding my way back into my art studio. The last three years of transition…selling and moving to an apartmen...
02/10/2026

I am slowly finding my way back into my art studio. The last three years of transition…selling and moving to an apartment, packing again then RV downsizing and storage unit while building our home, til finally unpacking and settling in… has had me feeling far away from fresh creativity as most of my artsy things were boxed away. Priorities were readjusted for the season of caretaking for those I love. As life has brought recent changes, I can feel the creative space whispering once again for me to come back and play. No expectations or pressure but a gentle call to inhabit the artist in me, explore and let art care for my own heart.

For now, I thought I would highlight art featured in my Etsy store. For the rest of February everything in my store will be 20% off. I will be adding the direct links to those items pictured here in the comment section! As always, I am so grateful for all those who have found my work supportive and meaningful over the years.

You may find these pieces and more hopeful art and gifts at my Valentine 20% off sale, through the end of February, here:

Healingexpressions.etsy.com

FEBRUARY ART BLESSING! I always look forward to sharing my monthly giveaways. This month’s art blessing is an inspirati...
02/02/2026

FEBRUARY ART BLESSING! I always look forward to sharing my monthly giveaways. This month’s art blessing is an inspirational greeting card, a glass soul stone and a glass pendant! Just “like” this post If you would like to be included in the drawing. On Feb 28 I look forward to drawing a name from FB and Instagram and finding out who I will send this offering to! Creative Blessings!

Congrats to SHARY NICHOLS OSTERHOUDT winner of last month’s blessing. Please message me with mailing address to get your gift on its way!

🌺

A few refections on making space for grief. I lost my Mother unexpectently to an illness in December. In so many ways it...
02/02/2026

A few refections on making space for grief. I lost my Mother unexpectently to an illness in December. In so many ways it still feels unreal and disorienting. Each morning and at the close of the day, I still open the door to her room in our home and whisper “ I love and miss you Mom”. I leave a small lamp on. I know these rituals will shift and change over time as the grieving process makes its way through my heart, but for now I am letting it be what it needs to be. Grief and loss have their own healing timetable. It can’t be rushed or the pain avoided. We have to give ourselves time for it to makes its way through.

I love this photo of her as I imagine the place of freedom her heart and soul are moving in now. I find myself revisiting the layers and memories of our relationship and family story. A mother is an impactful and deeply profound life force. Her loss brings a seismic internal shift and ushers in a new season of life…whether we were prepared or not.

For those of you walking your own journey through loss, be kind and patient with your heart. There is no generic map. There is no wrong way to feel. Sometimes grief may even be complicated. The length of and expression of your loss is yours alone. Take good care of you. Healing blessings to you dear one.

JANUARY ART BLESSING! It’s been a while since I’ve shared an art blessing and I am looking forward to bringing back my m...
01/12/2026

JANUARY ART BLESSING! It’s been a while since I’ve shared an art blessing and I am looking forward to bringing back my monthly giveaways . This month’s giveaway is an inspirational greeting card, two glass soul stones and a "Courage, Wing, Key" pendant! Just “like” this post If you would like to be included in the drawing. On Jan 31st I look forward to drawing a name from FB and Instagram and finding out who I will send this offering to! Creative Blessings!
🌺

Stopping by to share a few life moments from the past few months. I am continuing to acclimate to new rhythms, patiently...
11/15/2025

Stopping by to share a few life moments from the past few months. I am continuing to acclimate to new rhythms, patiently being present for what is needed for the here and now. Sharing our space for meaningful times with loved ones, healing story work with precious clients, making art studio progress, trips to love on and share art with grandkids and looking forward every evening to a new sky portrait. Grateful and dreaming of future creative hopes and plans for our place to be shared. Take good care!💕🦋

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRGC6KeEuDu/?igsh=Z3I4NDJpbnl0amgy

Sometimes there are seasons that cause us to pull back, let go and be present for the necessity of the now. I am so grat...
06/06/2025

Sometimes there are seasons that cause us to pull back, let go and be present for the necessity of the now. I am so grateful for all that has transpired in the last few months to have supported arriving in this fresh space...this new home...this emerging studio space...this new multigenerational living arrangement that has ushered in bittersweet perspectives of my own story. When we least expect it, we can be given opportunities to heal what needs deeper restoration and understanding.

I have been away for a while I suppose in my “Healing Expressions” online space. I have always valued all those who have supported the work I am passionate about in the healing community. Thank you to those who have messaged and checked in about my whereabouts. I thought I would give you a peek into the sweet changes that are in process. So much goodness, challenge, change, and hope in the mix. I am holding onto the future with hands that are much more open to uncertainty, flexibility and the anticipation of hope.

To those who find healing in my work, I hope to return with new art and spaces for rest, heart restoration and creative inspiration. I am just adjusting for now and pondering what this next season is to be about. I am breathing into the newness with family, beloved grandchildren and helping clients as we navigate moving into a blessed new office space.

I am so thankful to the US Digital Outreach Center for the last 8 years of providing a place for me to journey with those seeking to understand their stories. The timing is so beautiful. Thank you to my dear friend and colleague, Evie Kent, for the invitation to join her in a new office space at the Battleground Executive Office Suites. This is the space I now see clients to process their stories. I will still offer my 3-HR creative intensive sessions at US Digital but have been loving my new office in Battleground for individual story work.

Thank you for the years of support. I hope to check back soon as direction and inspiration reveal themselves!

New beginnings around the corner! After almost a year of having most of my art studio and supplies packed away in storag...
03/11/2025

New beginnings around the corner! After almost a year of having most of my art studio and supplies packed away in storage, we have finally reached the next phase of bringing things into the space. Our RV life is winding down and our new home and studio is coming to life. I’m sure over the next year there will be many transitions, re-organizations and changes to what this space looks like… but that’s the fun part! Today I am grateful for seeing the little creative things again that remind me… no matter how much time has passed…I am still an artist with a heart for the healing journey.🩷

Just stopping by with a few moments and scenes from my view. Grateful for the portraits from nature that leave me in awe...
02/10/2025

Just stopping by with a few moments and scenes from my view. Grateful for the portraits from nature that leave me in awe most days. The emerging art studio now has finished hardwood floors and lights are illuminating our home. The snowfall has been beautiful. Take good care of your hearts dear ones.

A few fall reflections from the last month or so. I am continuing to move and breathe with new rhythms, surroundings and...
11/25/2024

A few fall reflections from the last month or so. I am continuing to move and breathe with new rhythms, surroundings and experiences. We can never really know how much time we will be given with new paths and risks we may choose to enter through. I suppose, fear, or old messages could prevent one from pressing through into something new, but my thoughts these days are why not give it all a hope and a try. The more days I am breathing the expanse of nature and space…and living part time in simple and “all you really need” cozy spaces… the more content I feel. Sacrifice and working with our hands and natural resources is a sweet blessing. Stretching into and through, the partnering with our dreams, is a beautiful growth opportunity in this healing journey. The patience required for the building process has been a daily confirmation of why my heart is passionate about journeying with those who are healing and rebuilding their own lives.

My annual time away at the Writer's Advance Retreat was a beautiful respite of self care, creative reflection and kindre...
11/11/2024

My annual time away at the Writer's Advance Retreat was a beautiful respite of self care, creative reflection and kindred spirit encouragement. Joining fourteen writers, we shared a common endeavor to allow the words of our hearts to find their way to the page. For me, it is always through photography and therapeutic collage that the writing process begins. Letting emotions stir and wash through opens pathways of expression. No matter what season each writer finds themselves in, the event always brings us home and present to our hearts. Thank you Marc Schelske for all you bring to this unique event!

For more on this retreat go to: https://marcalanschelske.com/writersadvance/

One little step at a time, brings long-held imaginings to reality! Turns out choosing a soft, warm, paint color takes ab...
10/27/2024

One little step at a time, brings long-held imaginings to reality! Turns out choosing a soft, warm, paint color takes about 15 sample tries lol! For the first time I was able to create a temporary, little place to sit and dream of what I hope this creative space will grow into. As I sat and looked out the window today, it hit me anew that this is all really happening. I am so grateful actually for all the time it took. For all the stops and starts, the wrong choices that led to the perfect choices, the ups and downs and everything that led to the “just right” timing.

Childhood trauma survivors often put off allowing themselves to receive hope, goodness and joy for fear that the other shoe will drop. Expecting the worst can became a protective survival skill. This whole experience has been an exercise in holding hope amidst risk. Sometimes it takes stepping into the dream, amidst the unknowns and trusting you can manage whatever the path may bring. Dear One, I too am still learning and growing in my capacity to walk into beautiful expectation and receive what it has for me! Remember….You are worth so much goodness !

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US Digital Outreach Center 1400 Northeast 136th Avenue
Vancouver, WA
98684

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Restorative Creativity

Lani Kent is a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator whose own life story and journey of recovery from early childhood trauma led her to begin to share her work, “Healing Expressions”, with survivors over 20 years ago. Lani believes the creative image and word can open pathways for healing, offering a voice and freedom where there once was silence and pain. She is passionate about using art and her own unique creative processes to help clients explore and hold their own stories.

Speaking, leading workshops, consulting with mental health professionals, training and working with clients in individual sessions and group workshops, Lani offers “Restorative Creativity” and “Therapeutic Mentoring” as an adjunct to the brave work survivors are engaged in with their therapist. Her hope is to see clients move more fully and deeply into the truest expression of who they are and to open their hearts to the gift of art that heals!

Please email at Lanikent@msn.com to arrange private sessions, group workshops or schedule an introductory meeting with Lani at the US Digital Outreach Center to learn more about her work in the recovery community!