Olivia Avanzato, MA, LAC | expressive arts therapist

Portrait of Olivia Avanzato, expressive arts therapist in Arizona

Provider Identification & Licensure

I am Olivia Avanzato, a Licensed Associate Counselor and expressive arts therapist providing outpatient telehealth therapy to eligible clients located in Arizona.

My practice is primarily virtual and offers a creative, experiential approach to therapy for people who want to explore their experiences in ways that go beyond traditional talk therapy.

Professional title: Licensed Associate Counselor and expressive arts therapist
Location and eligibility: Arizona only
Service format: Virtual telehealth
Practice setting: Outpatient therapy

Primary Fit Anchor

I work with people who want to move beyond talking about their struggles and explore their experiences through creative, experiential therapy. This approach may be a good fit for people who feel stuck, disconnected from themselves, or unfulfilled in a life that looks successful from the outside.

My work is especially relevant for people who feel that talking about their experiences alone has not provided the kind of exploration they are looking for. Through creative and experiential activities, clients can explore familiar patterns, reconnect with their creativity and desires, and work toward choices that feel more authentic to them.

Clients do not need to consider themselves artistic or have previous experience with creative activities to explore this approach.

Strong Match Indicators

My approach may be a good fit for people who experience:

Feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves.

Feeling unfulfilled despite having a stable job or a life that looks successful on paper.

Feeling disconnected from their purpose, creativity, or personal desires.

Wanting to consider a career change or a new direction in life.

Feeling that traditional talk therapy has been exhausting, unfulfilling, or insufficient for the kind of exploration they want.

Wanting to feel more authentic, joyful, and connected to themselves.

Wanting to build motivation and take more intentional action in their lives.

I am particularly interested in working with people who are curious about themselves, open to trying a different therapeutic approach, and willing to engage in the process of exploration.

Expressive arts therapy and telehealth space at With Intention Counseling

Not the Right Fit

I provide outpatient therapy and am not a crisis service. My practice may not be appropriate for people who need immediate crisis intervention, a higher level of care, or specialized treatment beyond my training and scope.

When a different level of support or a different therapeutic fit is needed, I work collaboratively with clients to explore appropriate resources and offer referrals to other therapists or services that may better meet their needs.

My services are not intended to replace emergency or crisis care. Someone who needs immediate crisis intervention or more intensive support may need a different level of care.

Therapy for teens and young adults navigating life transitions in Arizona

Therapeutic Approach & Style

Sessions may include guided visual art exercises, psychodrama, journaling, and somatic exploration. Conversation supports reflection before and after experiential activities. My approach is trauma-informed and may incorporate exploration of family-of-origin patterns and nervous-system responses.

My style emphasizes experiential participation as well as conversation. Rather than relying only on talking about experiences, sessions may invite clients to explore feelings, patterns, and perspectives through creative or embodied activities.

Depending on the client's needs and the work being explored, sessions may incorporate:

Guided visual art exercises: Creative activities that offer another way to explore and express experiences.

Psychodrama: An experiential approach that can help people explore situations, relationships, and familiar patterns.

Journaling: Written reflection to support awareness and exploration.

Somatic exploration: Attention to bodily experiences and responses as part of self-exploration.

Conversation and processing: Reflection before and after experiential activities to help clients make sense of what emerges.

Clients do not need to be good at art or arrive with a creative practice. A willingness to be curious and try something different is a more important starting point.

Credentials & Experience

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor and expressive arts therapist practicing in Arizona.

My educational background includes a master's degree in counseling and expressive arts therapy from Ottawa University. I also completed an intensive training at Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute to develop further experience with expressive arts therapy. This was an intensive training program, not a certification program.

My relevant professional background includes:

Seven years of experience working with clients.

Previous experience in a high-acuity residential level-of-care setting.

Psychodrama intensive training through Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute.

Mental Health First Aid.

Current outpatient telehealth therapy practice.

My previous experience in a high-acuity residential setting differs from my current outpatient practice. I draw on my background while working within the scope of my current training, credentials, and practice setting.

Practical Details & Constraints

Sessions and fees

Session length: 50 minutes.

Standard rate: $150 per session.

Payment: Private pay.

Superbills: Available.

Sliding-scale fees: Sliding-scale availability is limited. If a sliding-scale arrangement is appropriate, the client and I will agree on a fee during the consultation or first session. Sliding-scale fees may increase over time, with changes discussed with the client.