Anxiety Counseling with Erin Kirkpatrick, Art Therapist in St. Louis.
Here at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, our therapists are amazing! We have a great team dedicated to helping kids, teens, and college students learn more about managing their anxiety and anger. We’re committed to tailoring our approach to you!
It can be overwhelming to chose a therapist for your child, or parent coaching for yourself. To help you in your search, we’re focusing on one of our therapists each week this month, to help you get to know them better.
This week we’re focusing on St. Louis counseling with Art Therapist Erin Kirkpatrick, MA, ATR, LPC
What does a first anxiety counseling session with Erin look like?
In a first session, Erin goes over some of our policies, and then starts an icebreaker and allows time for any questions. For clients who come with parents, the first 10 minutes is a quick parent check in and then the remaining time is 1:1 with her new client.
She says, “I emphasize the this will be a safe place to explore and express feelings. I then typically begin with an icebreaker art therapy exercise that allows the client to start the conversation on their own terms. The art materials and directives I use vary depending on the client's developmental age (magazine collage, for example, is common with teens and young adults while a scribble chase or sensory exercise is common with preschoolers).”
What approach to anxiety therapy does Erin use?
As specialists in anxiety and anger, all of our therapists incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and teach coping skills. Erin is also a registered art therapist (and our parent coach). She says, “As a trained and certified art therapist, I help the client to utilize their own personal creative power to express what words cannot, increase positive self-concept and relate better to others.”
Why did Erin decide to become an art therapist who worked with anxiety and anger in kids and teens?
Erin started out in not for profit management and then decided to become an anxiety therapist because of how much she enjoyed meeting with others and learning about them. She says, “I decided to become a therapist because I want to help those struggling to feel safe, understood, hopeful and empowered to make personal changes for the better.” She especially loves using creative ways to explore what’s going on and building trust between her and the client and within the client themselves.
If she weren't a child anxiety therapist, what would Erin do?
With her love for the arts and people, she would likely work for a not for profit in the creative arts. She’s also our parent coach here at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis!
What does parent coaching with Erin look like?
Whether it’s coping with a child’s tantrums, making sure your needs are met, exploring your anxiety related to parenting, or figuring our realistic expectations for your young child, Erin is ready to face the challenges of parenting with you. Together, you will explore evidence-based parenting strategies and coping skills, so that you feel like your best self when parenting.
What are some of Erin’s favorite things?
Erin loves spending time with her family being creative, baking yummy food, and hanging out in the backyard.
How do I connect with Erin for child counseling, anxiety counseling, or therapy for teens?
The first step is to schedule a free 15 minute call to learn more about Compassionate Counseling St. Louis. You’ll talk to our intake coordinator briefly about what’s going on, get a chance to ask any questions you may have, and then book an appointment with Erin or one of our other amazing therapists.
Feeling like you could use some extra parent coaching and support?
Check out our Therapeutic Parent Coaching. It’s like therapy for parents and focuses on helping you master the tools you need, so you can help your child navigate their struggles.
Compassionate Counseling St. Louis specializes in anxiety therapy for teens, kids, and college students, along with partnering with parents through parent coaching - basically therapy for parents here in St. Louis. We’re located in Clayton and work with clients throughout the St. Louis region. To schedule a free phone consultation, please use our contact page.