Meet The Therapist: Danielle Jacobs, MA

Danielle Jacobs, MA, is an Expressive Arts Therapist, Mental Health Counselor and 200-RYT Certified Yoga Instructor. She has been a yoga instructor for thirteen years and received a Master’s degree in Counseling with an Emphasis in Expressive Arts from William James College. Danielle has found yoga, mindfulness, journaling and art to be extremely healing forms of expression. Sharing her skills and guiding others into a safe space to explore, heal and grow is her intention.

Danielle works with people of all ages and is especially passionate about working with young children, teens and college aged clients. Her approach is person-centered implementing verbal therapy, CBT, mindfulness, expressive arts and yoga therapy. She has experience with addiction, eating disorders, bi polar disorder, attachment and adjustment disorders. Additional trainings include Reiki master, Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor, Yoga for Addiction and yoga for those recovering from cancer.

Question: How did you get into this field?

Answer: I have a BA in Graphic Arts from Simmons College and have been teaching yoga for thirteen years. As a yoga instructor I became curious about helping client's in a more emotionally therapeutic way. The desire to combine art, yoga and mindfulness to assists others in the ways that I have benefited from these modalities brought me to this field. In 2016, I received a master's degree from William James College in Expressive Arts Therapy. I recently completed a Yoga Therapy program that covered using postures, breathing exercises and other techniques to support those battling anxiety, depression of trauma. I continue to explore new and effective ways to help others heal and grow.

Question: How do you incorporate the arts into your counseling practice?

Answer: I try to meet clients where they are at. Everyday is different for each and every one of us. If someone is interested in exploring a medium I try to allow that to happen organically. Sometimes that is through art, journaling, play, yoga or visualization. Other times none of those modalities feels right and we may simply talk or just hold space. I like to listen and allow the client to sift through their process and offer suggestions where appropriate.

Question: What ways do you enjoy an 'artful life'?

Answer: I love art. I am always trying new methods and playing on my own or in classes, workshops or with friends. To me art does not always involve clay or a paint brush. Art can be cooking a meal or arranging flowers in a vase. I do love combining yoga, art and journaling by myself in in a class. I also love sea glass hunting and find it to be a form of meditation.

I love to hike, bike, stand-up paddle board, surf, kayak, run, swim, rock climb, ice climb, snowboard, do yoga and try other new sports to enjoy the outdoors, feel my heart beating and fill my lungs with fresh air.

I have been lucky to recently try the art of fly fishing and find it to be such an enjoyable practice to create and tie flies, wade out into the river and catch and release such beautiful fish. I find spiritual inspiration in nature and love to use natural items in my artwork or just simply appreciate their beauty. I have my own vegetable and flower gardens I tend to, and also love visiting farms and gardens of others. Culinary arts and dining is one of my favorite pleasures. I love to cook, bake and explore foods (especially of different cultures) as well as watch, appreciate and taste the dishes that others have prepared. Above all, I love sharing these experiences with family, friends and other people. Sharing the joy of an artful life is the best part of living one. “