Licensed to practice in California and accepts 30 insurances. Specializes in Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma, Chronic Illness / Medical Issues, Depression and 1 more.
(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
Hello! My name is Maria Hurmetian and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. I have experience working with all ages, and enjoy working with children, families, and individuals who are experiencing grief/loss, depression, and anxiety. I have worked in many settings Like Childrens' Hospital in Los Angeles, schools, clinical settings, and private practice over the last 12 years.
Our first session we will go over what you can expect from the therapeutic process, get to know each other and see if we are a good fit. We can decide if you would benefit from utilizing Art Therapy at times when you may want the option to express yourself through a non-verbal outlet as well. We will set goals and discuss what may benefit you with reaching your goals such as learning coping skills.
I utilize Art Therapy combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as an evidenced based modality to assist you to identify and transform thoughts and feelings from non-verbal communication to verbally expressing feelings and experiences. My approach is overall humanistic as I am greatly privileged to help guide you in the process, but I believe that ultimately you are the expert. I am currently going through basic training for EMDR and may be able to provide this service. You may ask me about it, I look forward to meeting you!
EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories that may still feel 'Stuck." We first work together to build coping and grounding skills so you feel prepared and in control. Then, when you are ready, we identify a specific traumatic memory and briefly bring aspects of it to mind. while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. The goal isn't to erase the memory. Instead EMDR helps the brain to reprocess the experience so that the memory feels less distressing and no longer triggers the same level of fear, shame, or physical reactions. With children we adapt EMDR to their developmental level. We may use drawing, toys, storytelling, movement, or other creative approaches to help them communicate and process experiences. With adults, we typically use more direct verbal and imagery-based processing. In both cases, you remain aware, can pause at anytime, and are in control of the process.
As a Registered Art Therapist I utilize Art as therapy combined with evidence based modalities such as CBT. Art Therapy can be helpful for both children and adults because it provides another way to express and explore CBT concepts such as Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors- especially when something is difficult to put into words. How is this different from using art in therapy? Art in therapy is used as a tool within psychotherapy. The artwork itself is not the treatment, it supports the therapeutic conversation and goals. Art as therapy allows the creative process itself to be the therapeutic intervention through creating, and expressing self through art. This can help regulate emotions, increase self awareness, and process experiences without needing to verbally explain or interpret artwork. We leave the inner critic at the door, you do not need to be an artist or have any art skills.