Kierstyn Mao

Hello! I am Kierstyn Mao, a licensed mental health counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist. I have extensive experience working with both youth and adults in community mental health. My goal is to provide an inclusive and anti-oppressive experience that puts the client in control of their treatment. I use a collaborative and eclectic approach to address themes of relational trauma, depression, identity, self-esteem, and anxiety. Please reach out if this feels like a good therapeutic fit for you!

If you thrive with transparency, creativity, and structured directives, my eclectic approach may be for you. I specialize in trauma-informed Expressive Arts Therapy, in which I guide clients through visual intermodal art-making to promote reintegration of trauma and self-exploration. Alongside Expressive Arts Therapy, I ensure that clients build their therapeutic vocabulary by connecting themes that emerge within the art to evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, ACT and DBT.

People I serve can expect to reconnect with their self-expression through active art-making and play. Expressive Art Therapy creates a third partner in the therapeutic alliance that can hold space for and reintegrate traumatic experiences in a safe way. My hope is for clients to experience more clarity and power in their healing journey within just a few sessions. Clients will learn real, accessible and effective tools that they will be empowered to use on their own.