Jamie Peters

was born and raised in Palm Coast, Florida, and later attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting. Growing up in a creative household, I found early on that art was more than a passion—it was a form of self-care and emotional expression. As I explored ways to merge creativity with purpose, I discovered art therapy and was immediately drawn to its healing potential. This led me to pursue a dual Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy in the San Francisco Bay Area. Credentials & Certifications Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Certified Sandplay Therapist EMDR Trained Healing Through Art: My Journey Into Therapy My path to becoming a therapist was deeply personal. In 2013, I survived a serious car accident that left me navigating PTSD, anxiety, and amaxophobia. Art became my lifeline during this time—it allowed me to process trauma, access healing, and regain my sense of self. Through these experiences, I also discovered Medical Family Therapy, as my medical challenges affected not only me but my loved ones as well. This inspired a deep commitment to helping others whose mental health is impacted by physical health crises in themselves or their families. Clinical Experience & Areas of Expertise Over the past eight years, I’ve worked in intensive inpatient hospital settings and outpatient programs across the Bay Area and North Carolina, supporting individuals of all ages through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Using a blend of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I’ve provided both individual and group therapy focused on crisis stabilization, early intervention, and deeper emotional processing. I’ve also worked closely with families, offering psychoeducation and space to process their experiences. During my final year in California, I helped develop an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) where I led the Art Therapy department for transitional-aged youth and young adults. It was there that I discovered my passion for helping individuals struggling with identity, purpose, and life transitions. My areas of focus include: Anxiety & Depression Bipolar & Mood Disorders PTSD & Trauma ADHD Grief & Bereavement Women’s Mental Health Identity Development Life Transitions EMDR Art Therapy My Counseling Philosophy: Client-Led, Compassion-Focused My therapeutic style is client-centered, warm, and grounded in trust. I believe in creating a safe, judgment-free space where clients can take the lead—while I offer support, insight, and healthy challenges when needed. Therapy doesn’t stop at the session. I encourage my clients to integrate self-care into their daily lives and often recommend tools like DBT workbooks or journaling to reinforce progress outside of our work together. I currently offer teletherapy sessions to accommodate all lifestyles. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are often ideal in the beginning, with flexibility as we go. Mindfulness & Creative Expression in Practice I deeply value the healing power of artistic expression. Whether it’s painting, collage, photography, or sandplay (especially with children), art allows us to access emotions and insights that words sometimes can’t reach. I regularly incorporate mindfulness techniques, music, outdoor sessions, and traditional talk therapy—tailoring each approach to meet the unique needs of the individual. I believe that healing doesn’t always have to come through conversation. Sometimes, the most profound growth happens through visual and sensory exploration—uncovering the unconscious and promoting emotional clarity.