Hi, my name is Scarlett, and I’m a student at the Bergen County Academies in New Jersey. My journey with art therapy began during my freshman year of high school, a time when I was quietly struggling with my mental health.
Entering a new and highly demanding academic environment, I found myself needing to adjust not only to rigorous coursework but also to an entirely new social setting. It was a space where I often felt out of place, and where subtle but constant negativity, people forming opinions about me without really knowing who I was, became difficult to ignore. At times, it felt like I was being defined by others’ perceptions rather than my own voice. Over time, this began to take a toll, leaving me feeling isolated and disconnected from my sense of identity. There were days when the weight of it all felt unbearable. I would find myself in tears at school, struggling to communicate with teachers and family, and turning to harmful ways of coping to get through.
Growing up, I was deeply captivated by chemistry and had always envisioned myself becoming a biochemist, so I never fully pursued my interest in art. During this difficult period, though, I found myself returning to art almost instinctively. It became more than just something I enjoyed; it became a space where I could finally be honest with myself. Through creating, I found moments of quiet, a way to process emotions I didn’t have words for, and a sense of control when everything else felt uncertain.
What I’ve come to realize is that this path still connects to my core passion: helping people. Art therapy offers a way to understand, support, and heal others, just through a different kind of language.
Art didn’t solve everything overnight, but it gave me something steady to hold onto. It helped me reconnect with myself and begin to rebuild a sense of identity that felt true and my own.