art, writing, and therapeutic creative offerings
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events

The Artist's Way at Playhaus, Monday mornings
Feb
26
to May 20

The Artist's Way at Playhaus, Monday mornings

Join the community at Playhaus for a group experience walking week by week through Julia Cameron’s legendary The Artist’s Way. This thirteen-week group creates community around creative practice, inviting you into a process of discovering, healing, and transforming your relationship to your creativity and the weird, brilliant artist you know you are deep down.

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The Artist's Way @ Playhaus, EVENINGS!
Mar
13
to Jun 5

The Artist's Way @ Playhaus, EVENINGS!

By popular demand, we're excited to announce a second EVENING GROUP option, for the Artist’s Way with Carter Umhau, at Playhaus! Join the community at Playhaus for a group experience walking week by week through Julia Cameron’s legendary The Artist’s Way. This thirteen-week group creates community around creative practice, inviting you into a process of discovering, healing, and transforming your relationship to your creativity and the weird, brilliant artist you know you are deep down.

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Art Journaling for Self-Expression (hosted by Smithsonian Associates)
May
14
to Jun 4

Art Journaling for Self-Expression (hosted by Smithsonian Associates)

This art journaling course invites you to respond to self-exploring prompts via mixed media. At the start of class, you are guided through a variety of mindfulness activities that teach you to make embodied choices in art making, emphasizing process over product and play over perfection and preparing you to step into an improvisational take on creativity. Expect a class grounded in creative theory and therapeutic principles that deepen your relationship with yourself as both an artist and a person.

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Hot Girls Go to Therapy (at The Green Zone, DC!)
Jan
29
5:00 PM17:00

Hot Girls Go to Therapy (at The Green Zone, DC!)

“Stirred Up DC presents Hot Girls Go to Therapy, a pop-up centered around femme mental health and rethinking accessability through creativity. The event highlight will be a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Maria Bastasch, Disco Mary Collective founder; Erica Christian, Empowering the Diner founder; therapist Rachel Klebanov, LPC, LCPC; and therapist and artist Carter Umhau, MA, LMHC.

There will be a showing of art by DC locals Carter Umhau, Lauren Bessette, and Janelle Whisenant.

A cocktail menu highlighting zero proof drinks will be curated, created, and served by Maya Makin and Ashley Amado—beloved Green Zone bartenders.


A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to The Women’s Center.


Doors @ 5
Panel @ 6
Live Art Therapy @ 7
DJ unt.il @ 9

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New poetry on "The Appetite" podcast!
Mar
7
to Jun 14

New poetry on "The Appetite" podcast!

I host a podcast for Opal: Food + Body Wisdom, the eating disorder treatment program at which I've worked for the last three years. In this special bonus episode, I was asked to read five of my own poems and share my thoughts on the creative process and why writing has been so healing in my life...and, of course, what this has to do with therapy. Take a listen to this episode (and others) and let me know what you think!

(photo by Sharis Kevin)

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Performing new poetry at The Fremont Abbey's The Round #153
Feb
13
7:00 PM19:00

Performing new poetry at The Fremont Abbey's The Round #153

This Valentine's Eve, join me at the Fremont Abbey for THE ROUND Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver, Mike Edel of Mike Edel (wink wink), and Shay Carlucci of Maltby will be holding court on stage, playing songs one by one. I'll be joining the "round," performing five new poems. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, all poems reflect on relationship--relationship with myself. 

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Soul-Care for the Caretaker
Sep
23
9:00 AM09:00

Soul-Care for the Caretaker

For the caretakers, for the healers, for the story-keepers—for anyone needing to offer
themselves soul-care:

Enjoy a day-long retreat with Jenny Wade (psychotherapist, yoga therapist, and body
image expert) and Carter Umhau (psychotherapist, writer, and artist) for a day of reviving
your creativity and enlivening your body. Our soul longs to be embodied, to express, and
to connect to the sensuality of the world. This curated experience blends psychotherapy,
creative writing, yoga therapy, and delicious, intentional mealtimes in order to help you
come home to yourself more deeply.

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