Hi, I’m marika.
I appreciate your curiosity & willingness to explore.
We all journey through life with wounds, some of which are more visible than others. As a Licensed Professional Therapist with a Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy, I strive to provide a safe space where we can work together, exploring those challenges in an effort to bring repair & a sense of wholeness to our lives.
My counseling approach is strengths-based, trauma-informed, & relational. I work with individuals across a wide range of life stages. I have extensive training in various expressive therapies, which I use to facilitate communication & provide a supportive environment for emotional expression.
Language is one way of exploring our experiences, & while supportive, expressive therapies offer us a broader spectrum to address trauma. Expressive therapies create opportunities for us to feel seen, validated, & accepted. My goal is to create a space where we can discover & celebrate all the unique aspects of who you are & enable you to feel empowered to live your life authentically.
I invite you to a world where therapy is more than talking - it’s an immersive journey of self-discovery & healing.
Expressive therapies encompass a wide range of modalities. As a Board Certified Registered Art TherapistSM (ATR-BC®), art materials have been essential companions in my journey. I work in a variety of media as you can see from the images from my portfolio. Here are a few pieces of my own.
Glimpse into my PORTFOLIO
Layers
Encaustic on wood panel, 6” x 6”
Intimate in scale, this painting made with layers of wax & pigment is intended to encourage the viewer to interact with this abstract, textured work of art closely. The composition is tight, focusing on the interplay of colors & textures within the frame. The right edge of the artwork is cut off by a plain white background which contrasts with the rich reds, layers of bright green & areas of deep yellow. The curvilinear lines carved into the surface of the work help to lead the viewer’s eye around the composition.
dichotomy
2020, wire mesh, silicone, 7.5” x 12” x 5”
The use of industrial wire mesh to create the organic shape of this sculpture is the inspiration for its title. The form is irregular & abstract, with no clear representation of a real-world object. The work uses a stark, monochromatic palette of black & white, creating high contrast between the black, transparent mesh & the solid white silicone shapes integrated within it. The sculpture edges are embellished with twisted wire, further playing with light & shadow.
triptych
ceramic, 13” x 6” (widest) x 13”
These three upright, cylindrical pieces are made from clay. Each features an irregular, pitted texture, creating areas of highlights & shadows, emphasizing their tactile, rough surface. The vessels are each colored in vibrant gradients of saturated oranges, yellows, & reds. Each work stands independently, yet their asymmetrical shapes mimic one another. Viewers are encouraged to look at the pieces from all angles, drawing their own conclusions about the interaction of space.