Annette Berlin, MA, LMHCA

My main focus for the past eight years has been developing therapeutic relationships with children from many different walks of life. My concentration has been on those who have special needs and challenges ranging from SED, mental illness, learning disabilities, autism, and developmentally delayed adults.

Since I was a child, I have been drawn to expressive arts as quality time for myself. Here there were no rules but the size of the paper and medium that I used. Little did I know that it was an act of self-love…it was therapy for me. As a child, I didn’t have words for how art benefitted me. Now over 30 years later it has been recognized as a valuable therapy tool. After obtaining my M.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on Art Therapy, I put my passion into practice. I applied my education within school and residential environments with children and adults alike with different cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. I have managed several all-inclusive art therapy groups and found that “a little love goes a long way”.

I began working in a public preschool and then with more challenging children ages 5-17 who were in the foster care system. There I was a full-time residential home counselor. Next, I worked with families whose teenagers were in juvenile hall and needed to succeed through a state-mandated program. In addition to art therapy, I also provided life skills, social skills, emotional mentoring, safety, and accountability.

I welcome the opportunity to share what I have learned with you and your children.

* Outdoor sessions may be available upon request. *