Therapeutic Art + Wellness for Whole-Person Healing
At First Light Therapeutic Art + Wellness, every service is thoughtfully designed to support your emotional, physical, and personal well-being through a holistic, trauma-informed lens. Whether you’re seeking space to process life’s challenges, reconnect with yourself, reduce stress, or cultivate healthier habits, you’ll find individualized care that honors your unique story and goals.
Services include Therapeutic Art, Holistic Health Coaching, Blue Mind Meditation, Postpartum Somatic Art Sessions, Wellness Walks, Surf & Talks, and Surfing Through Grief Sessions + Groups. Each offering integrates evidence-informed practices with the healing benefits of creativity, mindfulness, movement, and nature to foster resilience, self-awareness, and lasting wellness.
No matter where you are in your journey, First Light provides a compassionate space to pause, reflect, and move toward a life that feels more balanced, connected, and aligned with who you are.
Testimonials
“Courtney is a deeply compassionate and kind human being. Over the course of a few months, I had the opportunity to spend time in her care and I will be forever grateful. We worked together on an individual basis and I was lucky enough to attend some of her art therapy groups, and grief support as well. What is so beautiful about Courtney is that everyone who comes into her sphere feels seen, safe and supported. It is incredibly easy to open up to someone who shows up for you the way she does. The grief support group this fall was one of the most valuable experiences I have had since moving to Charleston. It was an exercise in the way that vulnerability is foremost a form of strength. That showing up for ourselves, and opening our heart to the experience of others, helps to build community and promote healing and growth. There is no doubt that Courtney will bring kindness, laughter, joy, gentleness and generosity to every situation, both professional and personal.”
— Catherine J.“I’ve had the privilege of participating in several wellness sessions that Courtney led through the Warrior Surf Foundation, including art therapy, grief support, and other wellness workshops.
Every session was thoughtfully planned and offered a safe space to slow down, reflect, and work through whatever we were carrying. During art therapy, we used different creative outlets like drawing and collage, along with journaling and mindfulness exercises, to process emotions in ways I never expected.
What stands out most about Courtney is her beautiful heart. She truly cares about the people she serves. Whether she’s on the beach, in the surf, or leading a wellness event, she has a way of making everyone feel welcome, supported, and understood. She meets people exactly where they are without judgment, and that kind of compassion is rare.
Courtney has made a lasting impact on so many veterans and family members, myself included. Her kindness, authenticity, and genuine desire to help others heal shine through in everything she does. I feel incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with her!”
— Lori B.“I didn't realize how much I needed to slow down until my sessions with Courtney. My favorite ones were our wellness walks. Being near the ocean and in nature made it easier to breathe, reflect, and talk about things that had been weighing on me. When Courtney taught me about the science behind blue mind and why being near the ocean helps, everything clicked and it helped me incorporate it in my everyday life. You would be surprised how much comes to the surface when you’re moving your body in nature. I will be forever grateful for our sessions.”
—Rene L.“Working with Courtney during one of the biggest transitions of my life made a world difference. After I moved from Connecticut to South Carolina, she created a space rooted in acceptance and kindness, which I needed more than I realized at the time. Her blended approach of coaching and art therapy helped me process the uncertainty of my situation while staying connected to a sense of hopeful progress. What could have felt overwhelming instead felt manageable, and I was able to move forward with more clarity and confidence. I am truly grateful for her support and for the way she shows up for the people she works with. Since my time working with her, she has become so much more than a coach. I now consider her one of my most trusted friends.
— Benjamin L.“I came to Warrior Surf with the intention of helping other veterans find peace and connection in the water. I never really expected to spend much time reflecting on my own life and wellness. Courtney understood my original intentions, but she also opened the door for me to explore anything I might personally need at the beginning of my own journey.
She helped guide me toward realizing that I still had some unresolved things in my life. More importantly, she helped me find a path forward and work through things I continued to struggle with at times. She never made me feel judged or pressured. Instead, she gave me the perspective, support, and tools to find my own solutions.
Beyond being an incredible wellness coach, Courtney has become an amazing friend. She is always willing to paddle out and surf alongside me, and she brings so much knowledge, positivity, and perspective into everything she does. I will never take for granted the time I’ve been able to spend with her or everything I’ve learned from her.
Courtney has played a big part in who I am today, and I know that if I ever needed anything, she would be just a phone call away.
She may surf better than me, but she would never make me feel like it.
All around, Courtney is one of the best wellness coaches—and one of the best friends—I’ve had the opportunity to know. I’m incredibly grateful that our paths crossed. ”
— Jace W.“I’ve had the pleasure of attending several art therapy group sessions with Courtney. Although each experience is unique, there is a consistency that makes every session safe and enjoyable. Her art therapy sessions foster creativity, self-awareness, healing, and incredible connections among participants. Courtney is able to read the energy and dynamics of a group and offer appropriate tools (meditations, free-movement time, prompts, etc.) for increased calm and inspiration. The thoughtful playlists are somehow magical and fitting every time. We all settle in and end up creating unique works of art that help us express and release emotions, thoughts, and ideas. The art-making itself is varied, always with plenty of fun materials and supplies to use/ try. It became the norm for me to leave the session with new realizations about how I look at myself & others and how I experience the world. Whether you consider yourself creative or not, art therapy sessions with Courtney show us we’re all capable of artistic expression, and we are all able to heal. Aside from that, she has a special way of listening and receiving each person with great care and love. Thank you! ”
— Patricia D.“Courtney has supported me through grief, major life transitions, and a season where I felt completely disconnected from myself. She helped me look at my health in a way that felt practical and personalized, especially when it came to supplements, and healing my cortisol levels after the devastating loss of my mother. Nothing felt forced or overwhelming; instead she listened, met me where I was at, and helped me make small changes that actually fit into my life. Her approach feels grounded, compassionate, and there wasn’t a moment I didn’t feel held in the process. She is a gift to all.”
— Nicole M.“I honestly can’t say enough amazing things about Courtney. From our very first conversation, I felt seen, heard, and supported without judgement. Her unique blend of holistic health coaching, therapeutic art, and mindfulness completely changed the way I care for myself. She helped me reconnect with who I am, build healthier routines, and find a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. Courtney has such a calming presence and an incredible ability to meet you exactly where you are while gently guiding you toward lasting change. I’m healthier, happier, and more confident because of our work together. I recommend her to anyone looking to truly transform their wellness from the inside out.”
— Beverly R.Services
Therapeutic Art
No artistic experience is needed- just a willingness to explore. These one-on-one therapeutic art sessions use creative expression as a tool for self-discovery, stress relief, emotional processing, and personal growth. Together we’ll create a safe space where art becomes a language for what words sometimes cannot express.
Holistic Wellness Coaching
Whole-person wellness goes beyond nutrition and exercise. Together we’ll explore the areas of your life that impact your well-being, including stress, hormones, sleep, movement, purpose, relationships, and daily habits. Through supportive coaching, you’ll develop realistic, sustainable practices that help you feel more balanced, energized, and connected to the life you want to create. Including walk & talks and surf & talks.
Surfing Through Grief
Grief is not something to “get over”, it is something to move with. Like the ocean, grief comes in waves: sometimes gentle, sometimes overwhelming, often unpredictable.
Surfing through grief sessions are available one-on-one or for small groups. These sessions combine the restorative qualities of the sea with reflective conversation, mindfulness, and gentle surf-instruction tailored to your comfort and experience level. Some experience is required, BYOboard, and surf is at your own risk.
Blue Mind Healing Meditation
Allow yourself to fully settle into the restorative rhythm of the sea. This extended Blue Mind meditation offers a deeper opportunity to regulate your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and access a profound sense of calm. Through guided visualization, breathwork, and mindful awareness, you’ll leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and renewed. Also available: postpartum womb cleansing meditation that uses blue mind techniques to help clear anything you are holding on to from conception to birth that is not serving you now on your postpartum journey.
Postpartum Somatic Art
Motherhood transforms every part of us. A postpartum somatic art session combines gentle Somatic practices with therapeutic art-making to help you reconnect with your body, process your birth and Postpartum experience, and create space for healing. Whether you’re navigating identity shifts, overwhelm, grief, joy, or simply longing to feel like yourself again, this experience honors your unique journey with compassion and care.