Creative Instincts Counseling | Clare Wheeler, MA, LMHC, ATR-P

About Clare

Clare Wheeler, MA, LMHC, ATR-P

Hello! I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a Mental Health Counselor and Art Therapist with a private practice in Bellingham, Washington.

I feel privileged to say I have found my dream job, even though it was on accident.

In 2017 during a thru-hike of the PCT, a fellow hiker told me about Art Therapy. As a lifelong artist going through an existential crisis (hence hiking the PCT) I got excited about pursuing a career in Art Therapy. The following fall, I was accepted to Antioch University in Seattle, where I learned that I was in fact training to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in addition to an Art Therapist. I loved it immediately, and it made sense. Something clicked.

I love getting to know people and their stories, and find immense joy in seeing people uncover their true selves through our work together. I am a lover of learning, and am always taking classes or trainings, reading, and trying new things in the therapy field.

In addition to being a therapist, I am also a mother, artist, mountain biker, flower gazer, and nature lover. Originally from the Midwest, I made my way to Washington by way of Colorado 9 years ago.

How We’ll Work Together

Treatment Modalities

Art Therapy

The latest trauma research reveals that our core memories live where words can’t access, which means talking about our problems isn’t always effective in creating change. Luckily, neuroscience is now proving what some of us have known all along: art heals! My lifelong passion for art has led me to Art Therapy, which is a service I offer for clients of all ages, no art experience necessary.

EMDR

“A whole life can be shaped by an old trauma, remembered or not.”Lenore Terr

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, more commonly known as EMDR, is proven to reprogram our core memories that dictate our actions, thoughts and feelings each day. EMDR is a trauma-informed treatment involving eye movements while mentally recalling difficult events.

Lifespan Integration

Lifespan Integration (LI) involves the use of timelines to heal attachment wounds and clear past traumas. This process creates a coherent sense of self and offers new perspectives on your life by showing the passage of time. I know this sounds abstract, but I have seen it do amazing things.

Nature Based Therapy

We’ll meet on local trails and have our sessions in the great outdoors. Walking and being in nature allows topics to arise that may otherwise feel out of reach.

Appointments are 55 minutes at the rate of $160 per session. I accept United Healthcare and Premera Blue Cross insurances. For all other insurances, I can provide you with an invoice to submit for reimbursement.

My Philosophy

We all deserve to feel at home and safe in our bodies and minds, and it’s my passion to help others find this place. I believe it’s the relationship between my clients and I that is most effective for healing, so it’s important that we’re a good fit. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and am passionate about creating a safe, non-judgemental environment where you feel supported and accepted as you are.

I am a strong believer that large-scale societal forces that surround us, including oppression, affect us greatly; I view clients as individuals while recognizing the larger systems we are all a part of.

I look forward to joining you on your journey!

Crisis Support

In an emergency call 911

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1 (800) 273-8255 (TALK)

The Trevor Project

Suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth: 1 (866) 488-7386 or text “Trevor” to 1 (202) 304-1200