Dr. Larry Cohen, Therapist, and Life Coach in Voorhees NJ, Marlton NJ, and Cherry Hill NJ (856) 352-5428) Contact New Jersey Therapy and Life Coaching
Welcome to the Voorhees Office
If you’ve been to our Voorhees, NJ, therapist office, you can’t help but notice all of our art - from the huge mural in the entryway to the paintings on the walls, and the custom furniture scattered throughout.
Why do I bother? Well, I do love decorating, and art has a way of reaching people when words often can’t. In our work, we see this a lot. Clients can explain their thoughts clearly, logically, even insightfully—and still feel stuck. That’s because emotional healing isn’t just about talking. Art speaks to the parts of us that don’t operate in sentences, and that’s exactly why it can be such a powerful tool. In some ways, experiencing art is closer to how we really feel than words can convey.
Creating Art
When you create art, you are sharing your inner world. Emotions that feel overwhelming or confusing don’t have to stay trapped inside of you. Emotions can be expressed on paper, canvas, clay, or whatever works best for you. This expression of emotions alone can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a feeling, you can look at it, sit with it, and even begin to understand it differently.
New Jersey Therapy and Life Coaching Voorhees NJ Entryway and Waiting Area
Finding Calm
Art also forces us to slow down. Anxiety creates racing thoughts and sometimes confusion. If you are making art, it is inherently a slower process. From a psychological perspective, this kind of focused activity supports emotional regulation, often without your even realizing it’s happening. Being calm doesn’t have to be intentional. It can come from expressing yourself through the artistic process.
Art can also help restore a sense of control. Mental health challenges often bring feelings of helplessness. Creating art reminds you that you can make choices and complete something only you dreamed up. Art is unique. Although sometimes copied, original artwork is one-of-a-kind and expresses something only you feel. Creating art is all about participation, not perfection. Art can bring feelings of empowerment and peace.
Art also creates a sense of safety by providing a barrier between you and others. You are creating and sharing, not putting yourself out there with no protection. When an emotion or experience is visual, it becomes something that can be observed rather than something that completely defines you. This separation allows you to reflect at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed. It’s easier to explore a feeling through art. In therapy, expressing yourself visually often leads to insight and greater understanding.
The art in our office, when examined by a client, often starts a conversation about a memory or a feeling. It is a starting point for you to reflect on what the art is saying. Your perception is unique. This helps you understand yourself better and express yourself clearly in therapy.
One visit to our office will make it clear that I am a “maximist,” not a minimalist. One of my clients told me this just last week. I’d never heard the term “maximist” but I instantly knew what he meant - that I have a lot of stuff in my office!