Finding My Creative Sanctuary with Tamara Laporte

I’ll admit it: when Tamara Laporte and I first decided to co‑host an art and therapy session over Zoom, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. We simply called it Creative Sanctuary, an experiment in blending our two worlds: hers as a vibrant mixed‑media artist and teacher, and mine as a therapist craving more paint splashes in my life.

Watch Tam & Me Art it Out in this Video!

Embracing the Virtual Studio

No white‑walled workshop here, just Tam and me with webcams framing messy desks full of watercolors, Posca pens, collage scraps and even a few pieces of candy. We began with a gentle reading from Circle of Stones, inviting everyone to explore their own “dark places,” then jumped into non‑dominant‑hand journaling. Writing with your off‑hand quickly brings out your inner child—wobbly letters and all.

Laughter, Vulnerability and Unexpected Insights

Between Tam’s whimsical collage‑girl sketches and my shaky mandala complete with protective petals and swirls of “source energy,” we discovered that therapists, too, need a space to play without pressure. As we let words flow onto the page, old self‑judgments surfaced, self‑compassion grew, and we even laughed at how fragile our adult brains feel when we scribble like kids.

Why Art + Therapy = Magic

Here’s the secret: art invites the unconscious to speak. When I journaled to my “big Jen” self, I realized I still chase excitement in unhelpful ways—like binge‑watching live bird cams—instead of nourishing creative projects that truly light me up. Tam’s bleeding‑tear portrait revealed the quiet, undermining voice of self‑judgment in her life. In real time we saw how art can turn down that inner critic, offering fresh clarity around deep‑rooted patterns.

What’s Next: A Live Series for Therapists and Clients

Because that first online meet was so powerful, Tam and I are launching Creative Sanctuary with Jen & Tam, a live series where we’ll:

• Art Journal and Chat: Bring your supplies and a comfy chair—no art degree needed.

• Explore Mental‑Health Themes: Each session focuses on topics like self‑judgment, anxiety or the inner critic.

• Blend Process and Insight: Watch us create, share “aha” moments and guide you through simple prompts to use between sessions.

Imagine carving out an hour each month to log in, let go and reconnect with your resilience through paint, collage and heartfelt conversation.

Your Invitation

Whether you’re a therapist craving new ways to de‑stress, a client curious about art therapy or simply someone who loves creative experiments, join us next time. Spread out your paper, grab your favorite pens and discover that online can still feel like a sanctuary—one brushstroke at a time. 🎨💖

— Jen, Therapist Sanctuary