Hi, I am Rikkia Ben Yehudah.
I help individuals create healing and transformation by using expressive arts therapy to heal the mind and body from anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Why I became a Therapist…
My passion for the Arts began as a teenager when I joined a repertory company in High School. Through various projects, I and other students were able to highlight the multiple issues teenagers experience writing songs, dancing, and using theater. While in Graduate school, my thesis raised awareness to the inner experiences of the Youth Survivors of Homicide and Violence by using artistic styles of self-expression and personal narratives. A powerful piece that was inspired by my work in the New Haven communities.
It was my love for the arts and passion for helping others that led to my decision to pursue a career in professional counseling with a focus on Expressive Arts.
Through my professional experience, I have learned that the use of Art and creativity helps to foster emotional healing and personal transformation. I have used Expressive Arts Therapy in my work with young adults in recovery, women dealing with postpartum issues, individuals suffering from trauma, and those needing support during their life transitions.
I have also learned that Expressive Arts therapy has a beautiful way of connecting people and helping to express the inner workings of their soul. It’s Healing beyond words, which highlights the human capacity to transform thought, emotions, and experiences into tangible shapes and forms.
What's it like to work with me?
My approach is compassionate, integrative, and creative. I provide a safe and nurturing space where clients are encouraged to communicate their inner feelings in a safe self-affirming way. I utilize the combination of Expressive Art and Psychotherapy, which helps clients tap into their imagination, body sensations, feelings, emotions, and thought processes in profound ways.
You do not need to be artistic in order to benefit from expressive arts therapy. We all have the innate ability to be creative through the use of movement, art, writing, sound, music, meditation, and imagery —all of which can be incorporated in our sessions together. The use of therapy acts as a catalyst for healing, hope, and personal transformation, allowing the mind and body to heal from anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Professional Training
My professional training began as an undergraduate Psychology major at Wesleyan University, where I was an active member of the performing arts community. At Lesley University, I earned a Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling. I had advance training in Expressive Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Integrative approaches, which aid in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.
My mission is to provide a safe and affirming partnership with clients in order to facilitate self-exploration, personal growth, and emotional peace.
