C.R.E.A.T.E!

Steven Durost is the Founder and Director of C.R.E.A.T.E! The Center for Expressive Arts, Therapy and Education, P.L.L.C. and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.  CREATE! is about to move into its new home…a castle…on 141 Union St in Manchester, making it the first creative arts therapy centers of its kind in New Hampshire.  Among CREATE!’s services will be: cancer-specific support groups for cancer survivors and their caregivers, art therapy experiences, Continuing Education workshops for practitioners, and individual counseling.  With a deep concern for trauma resolution for people over 60, Steven’s research involves interviewing elders in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Israel and the United States to learn how elders talk about aging in different cultures.

“I believe everyone has strengths which can be called on to help him or her through his or her present situation. Together we will look at those strengths, as well as the whole person. We will create a plan to move towards the person's goals. Whether the person comes because of life transition issues, grief, recovery issues or persistant repetitive patterns, he or she will find me eager, thoughtful, collaborative, possessing humor, and deep concern. I can hold hope for someone, until he or she is able to hold it for his or herself. Together, we work to help the person take the next steps in his or her life.

"I am well-versed in a number of approaches which allow me to tailor the therapy to a person's particular needs. Besides depression and anxiety, my areas of expertise include trauma recovery, grief and loss, couples/relational counseling, art therapy, elder issues, and personal development.

"I am working on a Doctorate in Expressive Therapies which, combined with my Counseling and EMDR training, allow me to offer a wide range of complementary interventions which continue to strengthen my practice.”

CERTIFICATION/LISCENSURE

Present - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, State of New Hampshire

Present - Board Certified Professional Counselor by the American Psychotherapy Association/American Board of Professional Counselors.

Present - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained, currently able to practice EMDR and am in advanced training for an additional level of certification.

Present - Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, to be applied for Spring, 2008 through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

Present - Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Advanced Open Water Diver Certification.

Future - Certified Psychodramatist, 200 hours training towards certification.

EDUCATION

Present - Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy in Expressive Therapies, Lesley University, graduation pending May 2009.

05/03 - Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, Notre Dame College, Manchester, NH.

05/03 - Certificate in Health Sciences, University of New Hampshire - Manchester.

05/98 - B.A. English.  B.A. Religion, Atlantic Union College, South Lancaster, MA.

COUNSELING EXPERIENCE

11/06-Present - C.R.E.A.T.E!  The Center for Expressive Arts, Therapy and Education, P.L.L.C. - Owner, Director and Clinician Manchester, NH: Creative Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling private practice, counseling a wide range of children and adults with abuse and trauma survivors as well as other mental health issues.

9/02-Present - James Foster and Associates - Mental Health Counselor and Program Developer for Geriatric Outreach Manchester, NH: counseling a wide range of people with mental health issues.

07/04-08/04 - The Truama Center - Elder Trauma Treatment Counselor Intern, Capetown, South Africa: through Lesley University.

11/03-11/05 - Familystrength - Mental Health Counselor and Care Manager, Manchester, NH: home-based behavioral health solutions.

Contacting Steven

You can contact Steven to set up an appointment through the email addresses below.  All emails go through the intake coordinator who then either sets up the appointments for the clinicians or forwards the email for personal attention.

stevendurost@castlecreate.com