Hope Forest Therapeutic Art Studio, PLLC

04/29/2026

Art Making Must-Haves 🎨✨

Not your typical supply list…

• Good music that matches your mood 🎶
• An open mind (perfection not invited)
• A little curiosity
• Space to explore without judgment
• Inspiration—big or small
• A willingness to make “mistakes”
• Time to get lost in the process
• A deep breath before you begin

Because art isn’t about what you use… it’s about how you show up. 💛

04/27/2026

Shout out to my bereavement buddy Michelle Halm, a fellow grief therapist and the owner of

Knowing you and collaborating with you in different capacities for the past 6ish years has been so lovely and rewarding. I've learned so much from you! 🌿

04/15/2026

Rummaging around in my desk allowed me to find some art from kids and teens I’ve worked with over the years. I forgot how often I’d ask clients to draw themselves, rain and an umbrella and just see how they let those 3 components interact with each other.

Would their person be standing under the umbrella like you see here? Were they splashing in a puddle with the umbrella on the floor? How much rain was represented? I especially used this prompt when working inpatient. Here are some examples ☔️🌂🌦️

*Clients consented to sharing their artwork & are no longer current clients.

04/10/2026

This image was created during a virtual art therapy session 🎨💻

My kiddo client challenged me to pick a Mario character and create a brand new form—so I chose Yoshi! I digitally described how I imagined this version to look, while my client brought their own character to life on paper at the same time.

We compared our creations, exploring emotions, personality traits, and the stories behind each character. It turned into such a fun and meaningful way to build connection and emotional expression together.

A lot of people ask how art therapy works through a screen—this is just one example of how technology can actually deepen creativity, collaboration, and connection ✨

04/06/2026

Late to this trend but I couldn’t resist showing off 90’s little Lauren!

Think we’d be a good fit to work together? Contact me through my website! Link in bio.

02/06/2026

Excited to share my upcoming CEU presentations focused on grief education and art therapy. 🖤 Supporting professionals in deepening their understanding of loss, bereavement, and compassionate care. If you’re looking to grow your grief-informed skills this year, I’d love to see you there.

02/05/2026

Love a good rolly chair, a table, and deep breaths for some neck & shoulder stretches.

01/30/2026

These are some grief support organizations & websites I personally recommend for grief information, handouts, and support — but there are many more out there depending on what kind of support you’re looking for 🕊️

Local to Illinois
• Willow House – grief support for youth & families (willowhouse.org)
• Buddy’s Place (Pillars Community Health) – childhood bereavement support (pillarscommunityhealth.org/services/behavioral-health-and-support-services/buddys-place-grief-support/)
• Fox Valley Hands of Hope – grief support & programs (fvhh.net)
• Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief Center – grief counseling & resources (barrharriscenter.org)

🌎 National & Online
• National Alliance for Children’s Grief – resource library & support finder (nacg.org)
• The Dougy Center – grief support programs & directory (dougy.org)
• What’s Your Grief – articles, courses, podcast & creative grief education (whatsyourgrief.com)

These are great starting points for education, support groups, handouts, and additional referrals — but there’s so much more out there to explore depending on your needs 💛

01/21/2026

Check out my interview with Jackie Schuld, ATR-BC, REAT to learn more about Art Therapy and who I am as a therapist!

In this interview, I speak with Lauren Raney, an Art Therapist. My questions are in bold and Raney’s responses are in regular typeface.

01/12/2026

Welcome to the 2nd Monday of the year. Be kind to yourself.

A new year doesn’t have to mean pressure, resolutions, or becoming someone new.

It can mean:
🎨 creating space
🌱 moving gently
💛 honoring what you’ve carried
✨ imagining what’s possible

Whether you’re grieving, growing, questioning, or simply resting—there is room for all of it here.

Here’s to a year of self-expression, compassion, and showing up exactly as you are.

01/08/2026

Hi! Sharing some facts about me as a human and therapist

12/31/2025

My client and I made this 2 weeks ago. When we left the office it was dripping wet lying strategically over a cup to dry into a flower shape. Using water colors, washable markers, and coffee filters we turned something mundane into beauty. We turned plain into a rainbow. We made our own light walking into the office together today to see how it dried. The excitement in my young client’s eyes was *chefs kiss*.

Thank you for the coffee filters 🌈