Our Fall 2025 Programs

At The Artful Life Counseling Center, we believe healing happens through creativity, movement, and connection. This fall, we’re excited to offer a series of therapeutic groups designed to help clients reduce stress, build confidence, and foster relationships through expressive arts therapy.

Our fall programs are designed to help your child manage big emotions & learn healthy coping methods through the creative arts.

Cool, Calm, & Creative: An Anxiety Skills Group for Kids

A Therapeutic Expressive Arts Group for Ages 6–9

Does your child get stuck in worries, have trouble trying new things, or feel overwhelmed by big feelings? Cool, Calm and Creative is a 6-week therapeutic group designed to help kids understand anxiety and learn practical, creative tools to manage it.

Led by members of our expressive arts therapy team, this small-group program combines art-making, playful movement, and skill-building activities to help children:

  • Understand how anxiety works in their body and mind

  • Practice calming techniques to use in the moment

  • Build confidence in facing challenges and trying new things

  • Connect with peers who “get it” and understand their struggles

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How the Program Works

Because this is a  therapeutic group billed through your child’s health insurance, participation includes:

  • An individual intake session before the group starts, to get to know your child, understand their needs, and tailor our approach.

  • Six weekly group sessions (Tuesdays, Sept 16 – Oct 21, 3–4 PM) at our Salem art studio.

  • A parent follow-up consultation after the group ends, to review your child’s progress, share strategies, and make recommendations for ongoing support.

Insurance & Billing

  • Every session—the intake, all six group meetings, and the follow-up parent consultation—will be billed to your child’s health insurance as therapy sessions.

  • You will be responsible for any copays, coinsurance, or deductibles required by your plan.

  • An intake packet will need to be completed for insurance purposes before the first appointment.

Cancellation Policy
We require 48 hours’ notice for any cancellations.

  • If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice or do not attend a scheduled session, you will be personally responsible for the cost of that session.

  • Our cancellation policy is as follows: intake and follow-up consultation are billed at $110 each, and group sessions are billed at $40 each

  • Insurance does not reimburse for missed or late-canceled sessions, so these charges would be billed directly to you.

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Dates: Sept 16, 23, 30 and Oct 7, 14, 21
 Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 Location: The Artful Life Counseling Center & Studio – 142P Canal St, Salem MA
 Ages: 6–9

 Billed through your child’s health insurance

 Includes individual intake, 6 group sessions, and follow-up parent consultation

*Space is limited to keep the group small, safe, and supportive.

Why Parents Love This Group

Parents appreciate that their child is learning real, evidence-based tools to manage anxiety while still having fun in a supportive, creative environment. The combination of an intake, structured weekly sessions, and a follow-up consultation ensures that families are involved and supported from start to finish.

Rainbowdance®: Building Connection & Emotional Regulation for Young Children

A Therapeutic Movement & Music Group for Ages 3–5

Rainbowdance® is a playful, movement-based therapeutic group designed to help young children strengthen emotional regulation skills through nurturing, attachment-focused activities. Using music, rhythm, storytelling, and gentle movement, children develop the ability to manage big feelings, connect with others, and feel safe and confident in new situations.

Led by a licensed expressive arts therapist, Rainbowdance® provides a predictable and supportive structure that helps children:

  • Strengthen secure attachment through positive, attuned interactions

  • Practice calming and self-regulation skills in a fun, engaging way

  • Build confidence, empathy, and cooperative play skills

  • Experience joy and connection through music, movement, and stories

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How the Program Works

Because this is a therapeutic group billed through your child’s health insurance, participation includes:

  1. An individual intake session with your child before the group begins, to get to know them and tailor support to their needs.

  2. Eight weekly group sessions (Tuesdays, Oct 28 – Dec 16, 3–4 PM) in our Salem dance room.

  3. A parent follow-up consultation after the group ends, to review your child’s progress, share strategies, and make recommendations for ongoing support.

Insurance & Billing

  • Every session—the intake, all eight group meetings, and the follow-up parent consultation—will be billed to your child’s health insurance as therapy sessions.

  • You will be responsible for any copays, coinsurance, or deductibles required by your plan.

  • If your child is not already a client at The Artful Life, you will complete a brief intake packet for insurance purposes before the first appointment.

Cancellation Policy

We require 48 hours’ notice for any cancellations.

  • If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice or do not attend a scheduled session, you will be personally responsible for the cost of that session.

  • For most insurance plans, the intake and follow-up consultation are billed at $110 each, and group sessions are billed at $40 each. These amounts may vary based on your coverage.

  • Insurance does not reimburse for missed or late-canceled sessions, so these charges would be billed directly to you.

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 Dates: Oct 28 and Nov 4, 11, 18, 25 and Dec 2, 9, 16

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 Location: The Artful Life Counseling Center & Studio – 142P Canal St, Salem MA
 Ages: 3–5

 Billed through your child’s health insurance

 Includes individual intake, 8 group sessions, and follow-up parent consultation

*Space is limited to keep the group small, safe, and supportive.

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Why Parents Love This Group

Parents value Rainbowdance® for its unique blend of clinical support and joyful play. Children leave with stronger self-regulation skills, a deeper sense of security in relationships, and positive experiences of connecting with others—all within a safe, welcoming environment.