Therapists
“Ms. Lepke has proven to be professional, empathic and creative. Her compassion and warmth have seen her make powerful transformative connections with her patients.”
“With Jennifer’s guidance our students (clients) were able to express their grief through art. The students loved working with her, her professionalism, patience, and compassion were evident in her interactions.”
“Jennifer has an energetic manner and a caring attitude that are conducive to a positive therapeutic environment. I believe that her experiences give her the ability to connect with people of diverse cultural backgrounds on a level that is deeper than most. Her love of the honest, unaffected and imaginative nature of expressive art that has always been at the forefront of her philosophy.”
Jennifer R. Lepke, MPS, LCAT, CLAT, ATR-BC
Art Psychotherapist & The Art Therapy Nest Founder
It is my belief that the creative process combined with compassionate guidance has the ability to reflect, transform and heal matters of the body, mind and spirit. In the therapeutic space we will integrate traditional talk therapy with art-making, movement, somatic awareness and meditation. My role is to help clients to explore and express themselves authentically. Therapy is a personal journey nurtured in a non-judgmental and supportive environment. The therapeutic space offers insight to the inner world revealing emotions, memories and experiences, with this increased insight personal growth and transformation occurs, offering relief from overwhelming emotions, crisis or trauma. Our process together will be organic as we begin to explore what your personal needs and challenges are with the goal of maintaining wellness while living an empowered life.
Jennifer Lepke received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Fine arts and went on to receive her Master's in Creative Arts Therapy from Pratt Institute. Lepke is fully licensed to practice art therapy and psychotherapy and is trained in the assessment, evaluation, and the therapeutic intervention and treatment of mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders. She has over 15 years of clinical experience and began her work as a crisis counselor at a women’s center in 2003, she continued to develop her clinical skills while creating art-based therapeutic programs in schools and non-profit organizations while also working in psychiatric and medical settings. Her experience includes work with children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, trauma and loss.
Lepke has presented her 6-week methodology for survivors of sexual trauma at the Nonviolence Organization of The United Nations and Arts, Creativity, and the Global Crisis: Reimagining Identity, Otherness and the Possible conference. She has also presented her work on creating virtual therapeutic spaces and somatic art therapy at the annual Water & Stone conference. Lepke strongly believes in community based accessible mental health care; during the pandemic she created a Virtual Collective that offered virtual, live and interactive groups and workshops. She has had the honor of offering her therapeutic groups as a guest facilitator at MINKA Brooklyn and New Women Space, Brooklyn, NYC. As a continuum of her healing and eco-art workshops, Jennifer created and co-facilitated Roots and Stardust a 3-day immersive Eco-Art retreat at the Empty Center in Vermont. Lepke, is also an on-site clinical supervisor for Pratt Institute’s Creative Art Therapy program.
Ornellia K. Cole, MA, LCAT-LP, ATR
Art Psychotherapist
Ornellia K. Cole earned her Masters Degree in 2015 in Art Therapy from The School of Visual Arts. Prior to her masters she received her Bachelors degree in 2011 in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from St. John’s University. She has always had a strong interest in mental health and the psychology of society.
Ornellia is an advocate for POC and BIPOC mental health, she believes culture and environment influence an individual’s development and coping skills. She has worked in a myriad of settings with various populations and ages from community based programs, youth in the education system, adults experiencing homelessness, addictions, grief, and hospital care.
She takes a client centered approach to therapy combining traditional forms of talk therapy, holistic healing practices and the creative arts to guide clients through the healing process. She believes in meeting a client where they are and encourages a collaborative journey as they work together in a judgment free, safe space that cultivates introspection, connection and exploration through the creative process.