“If we want to live delish, full lives, we need to be considering our art…
Creativity is the missing pillar of self-development…
Creativity is our power to enact change and bring order to the chaos we are currently experiencing.”
—Amie McNee
Rediscover the Magic of Play…
Create to Regulate, Rest and Recover
There is good evidence as to why engaging in more play-filled and creative practices are helpful, and there is a common misconception that engaging in play-based activities as an adult is childish or frivolous. What we call “leisure” activities, actually serve vitally important functions to your body’s ability to rest and recover, regain our nervous system’s and our body’s healthy balance, and has significant cognitive and emotional benefits for all stages of life.
Self Care and Personal Development
Taking time for yourself to engage in enjoyable, deeply engaging and meaningful activities is an important part of self care. We support our mental and emotional health and well-being when we spend time in play-filled, creative, or restful and enjoyable activities, such as art, hiking, baking, or engaging in a fun but challenging sport or game. Even work activities can have some benefits to our mental or emotional health if they are rewarding, creative, empowering, the just right amount of challenging and interesting, or fulfilling in some way. These types of activities can be a buffer to stress and enhances mood, which leads to improved memory and learning or increased productivity. We are able to be more open to learning, discovering new insights and challenging ourselves in ways we might not have otherwise when we are experiencing the benefits of engaging in activities that light up our hearts and that are engaging and interesting to us.
Antidote to Stress
There are many good reasons to explore how to build in more play-filled, or intrinsically rewarding experiences into your daily life. I would consider it the antidote to worry, frustration, multiple “adulting” obligations, stress and negativity! I would also advocate that similar to physical exercise in its role in having a beneficial function in our long-term health and quality of life, so also does engaging in activities that ignite the mind, body and spirit.
“Art is the language of your soul. It will guide you to your purpose.”
—Michelle Baker, MA
Art For Your Heart
Create More Art and Bee Your Bee-you-tiful Self
Inviting you to blossom into a healthier, more joy-filled, and more balanced you—through the power of community, connection and creativity. Engaging in art is more than just creating; it's a pathway to self-awareness, balance, and ultimately, a richer, more fulfilling and beautiful life.
The world needs you and your creativity! Embrace the process, and let your creativity be the light that guides you and reveals your beautiful self on this transformative journey on BEE-coming you!
Welcome!
I believe art is a powerful process of playful engagement in self-discovery, learning to listen more deeply to, and following our hearts. It becomes a two way interaction where we bring a part of ourselves, and our life experience, to the artwork, and in return, it reflects back to us a piece of our unique essence, and who we are, or what we are feeling in that moment in time.
Hello, I’m Teresa, and I’m an artist and a life coach. I am also an occupational therapist, with over a 20 years of experience—a field that supports people to engage in meaningful occupation in their daily lives—work and play.
I’ve learned that the time we spend engaging in “play-filled” discovery and exploration is important for the health of our minds, hearts and bodies. Creating art, in its purest form, is a form of play—an activity done for its own sake and enjoyment. It’s when we engage in the challenges that are intrinsically enjoyable and the just right fit of easy and hard, learning and growth happens—and that is what participating in creative activities can do for us. This is as true for adults as it is for children.
Cultivating Curiosity
Engaging in the process of making art also involves facing our fears and being curious enough to move through them, making a mess and building confidence in ourselves as we travel beyond the “messy middle”. We can keep in mind that that when we do allow ourselves to come from a curious and growth mindset, we can be more flexible and open with the process. That’s when the magic starts to unfold.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing.”
-George Bernard Shaw
Connection and Community:
In addition to supporting play-based occupation to support health and well-being, my goal is to create a safe space for people to learn, connect and grow together in all areas of life—personally and professionally. We are always stronger, and our growth is accelerated, when we can tap into collective knowledge and wisdom through coming together and supporting one another as a community. When you sign up for in person group-based classes or workshops, you will join a group of people who, like you, share this passion and are on a similar journey as you. We all come with different perspectives and experiences, and that enriches your learning experience. You’ll easily be able to exchange ideas, tips, challenges or inspiration as you work together in real time, rather than in a virtual or in a pre-recorded class. You will be with people who are sharing a journey of self-discovery, growth or simply having fun and relaxing, the same as you!
If you feel out of step with the hustle and noise of the world and seek to “rebalance” your life—you are welcome here. I offer gentle, individualized support rooted in compassion, creativity, and the belief that we all deserve to feel whole, seen, and balanced.
Here’s what I provide:
Creative Wellness Classes or Individual Support: Care You Can Expect
Creative Experiences for Expression and Calm
Including guided art-making, mixed-media classes, and playful practices that support emotional expression, sensory exploration, and nervous system care.A Neurodiversity-Affirming Space
Where you’re free to unmask, take breaks, ask for clarity, and show up exactly as you are—without judgment or pressure to conform.Support for Planning, Organization, and Burnout Recovery
Gentle structure, sustainable routines, and tools to navigate energy, overwhelm, and self-compassion—especially for those living with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent traits.Mindful Practices for Reconnection
Slowing down, listening inward, and making space for your intuition, values, and inner voice.Safe, Flexible Support for Self-Care and Growth
Whether through one-on-one coaching, group experiences, or creative retreats, you'll find options that adapt to your pace and comfort level.Community and Connection
Opportunities to share space with others in meaningful, low-pressure ways—fostering belonging without forcing interaction.
This is a place to rest, reconnect, and remember who you are beneath the noise.
For Workplaces and Organizations
Creative Wellness isn’t just for individuals—it can transform teams and workplaces too. I offer team-building experiences, wellness and creativity sessions designed to support your staff’s mental health, morale, and sense of connection. If your team includes individuals navigating stress, change, or burnout, my services offer a refreshing and inclusive way to recharge.
What I can bring to your team:
Creative sessions that support stress relief, play, and team connection
Neurodiversity-affirming approaches that foster inclusion and psychological safety
Mindfulness-based activities that promote self-awareness, focus, and well-being
An uplifting experience that invites authenticity, laughter and renewed energy
Perfect for staff retreats, wellness days, professional development, or burnout prevention—perfect for small groups.
A well-supported team is a resilient team. Let’s create a workplace culture where creativity, compassion and balance thrive.
If this sounds like what you need right now, I'd love for you to reach out today!
Bee Balanced by Teresa offers a variety of services, all rooted in the idea that:
We are ALL creative beings and need to experience a balance of work and play in our lives, we ALL grow and learn more in a supportive community, and we ALL desire to live a life that is more true and more beautiful for ourselves.
You may have questions…
Q: How do I find the time? A: Research suggests that even brief, regular experiences of flow or play experiences can have a meaningful impact on well-being. I support you in finding the work-life balance you need to find the time. Sometimes it’s just about building in a new routine or adapting an existing one.
Q: I am so tired and feeling burned out—how could this help me? A: The cumulative effect over time of engaging in flow or play experiences is what builds resilience, reduces stress and supports mental rejuvenation. Think of taking time for either play or flow experiences as emotional or psychological fitness.
Q: I lost my spirit of play years ago. I don’t even know what I am interested in any longer. How could your services help? A: I can help with sorting out your interests and passions, and what lights up your heart. Don’t you deserve to live a more joy-filled life?
Q: Why should I make time for me—I have so many responsibilities? A: The primary reason is that you deserve to be happy and experience joy and beauty in your life. There are many physical and mental health reasons to take the time for yourself to learn how to engage in more flow experiences. The list is long. Pleases refer to the “about” page. Also, when you take care of yourself, you have more ability to take care of, and give to others.
Q: I have lost my sense of purpose in life—can you help with that? A: The short answer is: yes. I can support you in rediscovering what makes your heart light up, and doing more of that—there you will find your purpose.
Q: I don’t even know where to start…don’t I need a plan before talking with you? A: No, just having a sense that something is off, your life isn’t bringing you joy anymore, or you need someone to support you in problem solving a new direction in your life—I can explore a direction with you, and what your goals might be. I will not '‘fix” what is broken, rather, I will support you in discovering your own inner wisdom and knowing to find the solutions for yourself. You know yourself best, after all.
Q: I am not an “artist”. Why would your creative classes be a fit for me? A: Engaging in play or flow experiences is not just about creating a finished piece of “art,” it is about the process of creating and what it does for us. If painting, drawing or layering papers brings you joy and contentment, then it doesn’t matter what the outcome is. I can guarantee you though—because it is coming from your heart, it will be beautiful.
In addition, like with any new skill, we start as a beginner before becoming a master, and by embracing and enjoying the process, rather than worrying about the outcome, we can benefit from the joy of being in the present moment and tapping into our innate creativity and intuition.
Q: Flow versus play, what is the difference? A: They have many similarities in their benefits and in their value to humans, including involving deep engagement and enjoyment, help with reducing stress and promoting positive emotions. Both can be creative, exploratory and energizing. Play can be more spontaneous, open ended and flexible. Flow can be more structured and a balance of challenge and skill. Play doesn’t’ always require full focus or challenge; flow requires deep focus and typically a sense of progress or mastery. Play can have a focus on fun and exploration, whereas flow can emphasize absorption and alignment with personal strengths. Engaging in creative pursuits can involve both, and play can lead to flow.