The call to the inner world beckoned me at an early age for here images and solace came easily. As I grew, these delightful visitors soon became valuable guiding forces. My continual engagement with this inner landscape led to the development of a private practice I now refer to as CREATE A STORY. The overall theme of my work at the STUDIO is to nurture deep roots and build strong foundations through energy awareness, the creative arts and their ancient practices.

As a Transpersonal Educator and registered Expressive Art Therapist, I hold certifications in Massage, Polarity, Infant Massage Instruction, Expressive Art, as well as a Masters in both Transpersonal Studies and Art Therapy. For over thirty years I have offered programs that serve the imaginal needs of children. At the STUDIO, the techniques of art making, journeywork, and story have become some of the essential rituals in my daily spiritual practice, and I deeply enjoy serving others, assisting their process of growth and integration using these imaginal tools. I believe such ancient practices can prove helpful as we find ourselves in states of transition and change, or become challenged at any of the important universal marking points of life. Personally coming face to face with loss and change, I have entered these imaginal landscapes, and believe they can often offer profound avenues for growth. In my view they are truly mythic doorways. Courage most certainly is required when dealing with seemingly unknown forces that invite deep psychic dialogue and transformation. I believe the indigenous wisdoms and their ancient practices, especially art and story making, can offer much in the way of balance and healing at such opportune times. The Expressive Arts have a mission, and can offer a very real and practical means of helping all people integrate and heal during times of growth, transition and deep transformation, no matter what age. I also believe when caring for our souls, it may be essential to supplement this need for inner work with regular energetic and nurturing touch.

Future Goals

My goals for the future are to bring the expressive arts (especially the ancient practice of art making and story), journeywork, and energetic awareness to people of all ages in as many ways as possible, therefore contributing to a peaceful world vision.

Create·A·Story: A Four-Fold Mission

1. Help people of all ages find their roots and grow their wings through play, myth, story, art making, and the expressive arts.
2. Enhance this process with journeying, nurturing touch and energetic awareness.
3. Provide opportunities to nurture the imagination and the power to envision.
4. Through journeying, art and energy contribute to a peaceful world vision.

 

CLAUDIA ANN RAPHAEL
Director & Teacher of Create·A·Story
Expressive Artist
Art Therapist, REAT
MA Transpersonal Studies
LMT, RPP, CIMI