Welcome to Firefly & Phoenix's

Self-Paced Community!


A space for Creative Arts Therapists, Mental Health & Wellness Professionals, and Creative Individuals to feel engaged and supported.

"I'm so excited to expand into self-paced workshops so you can access the information and experiences you are looking for whenever you feel like it! These workshops are designed to help meet your professional needs and creative interests, so have a look around and see what might fit for you.

Be in touch anytime! ~ Emery




Continuing Education Information


CE hours are approved for credentials noted on that course (Most Common - NY LCATs, NJ LPATs and ATR/ATR-BC) Note* Many programs qualify for other credentials (MT-BC, BC-DMT, etc.)
Check your organizations Continguing Education guidelines
While Emery develops CE programs that are often accepted by other organizations, it is your responsibility to make sure what you attend is appropriate for your profession in case an organization has any specific rules around content that is or is not acceptable. We will do our best to be aware, but can only guarantee acceptance of CE credits for the credentials listed with each course. We can not offer refunds after registration is complete.
Firefly & Phoenix offers CE hours through Water & Stone
NY Approved Provider
Water & Stone, A Creative Arts Therapy PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0017.





"Emery's fearless yet pragmatic approach to pursuing professional goals and giving concrete form to pipe dreams is inspiring. She provides a safe space to explore hopes and fears, and empowers others to take risks and stay open to the process with trials and tribulations along the way. She is a force of nature and serves as a wise, compassionate guide for anyone on the path to figuring out what the "art of business" looks like for them."



~ Sharon Itkoff Nacache LCAT, ATR-BC, PMH-C





Spark Creativity!


Explore workshops and programs that speak to the amazing creativity we use in our work and in our lives. Explore a new technique or learn new ways to engage with clients!

Step Into Private Practice


Creatively explore the unique skills topics involved in private practice. How can you build something sustainable that leads to realizing your dreams of how you want to help in the world?

Find Community


Aside from enjoying these wonderful workshops and programs on your own, you can also tap into the Firefly & Phoenix community. Get in touch with Emery to explore how!




Hi, I’m Emery


After over 15 years in private practice, supervising, mentoring, teaching, and publishing I'm excited to expand onto this new platform, offering support to the community!

My hope is that this will create even more accessibility for creative arts therapists and wellness professionals who are looking for tools in their own practices, insight into their work, and creative ways to engage with people.


For those who don't know me:

Emery Mikel, ATR-BC, LCAT (NY), LPAT (NJ) is based in Brooklyn and is the founder & director of Water & Stone, a Creative Arts Therapy PLLC (a contemplative creative arts therapy group practice) and Firefly & Phoenix LLC (a company offering support for professionals interested in entrepreneurial adventures). Both companies grew out of her experiences living and working in Colorado, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Long Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. She is the author of The Art of Business: A Guide for Creative Arts Therapists Starting on a Path to Self-Employment (JKP, 2013) which focuses on contracting with organizations and business basics. Currently, she is working on her second book focused more specifically on private practice. Along with these pursuits she mentors other therapists, offers continuing education workshops, supervises interns, guest lectures at George Washington University and is adjunct faculty at Nazareth University. She received her MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.



Current Courses

The Ethical Therapist - What is Scary About Ethics

In this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of why ethical decision-making can sometimes feel overwhelming while learning practical ways to navigate challenges using ethical principles.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$87.50

The Ethical Therapist - Navigating the Gray Areas in Ethics: Using an EDMM

In this workshop, we’ll focus on practical steps to help you navigate ethical decision-making. Rarely is a situation clear and we often sit in uncertainty and "gray" areas looking for a path to follow.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$70

The Ethical Therapist - Suicidal Ideation and Other Challenging Topics in Private Practice

What challenges you when it comes to clients in private practice? In this workshop, we will dive into complex and sensitive issues such as suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, and more.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$87.50

Dreaming (1)- What Is Your Dream?

In this course, participants will learn to identify at least one population or issue they can support within their community. They will also gain insight into their personal strengths by naming two key qualities they bring to their work with clients.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$90

Dreaming (2)- How Do You Want to Work?

This course is designed to help participants expand their approach to working with clients, empowering them to explore new ways of offering services.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$90

Dreaming (4)- Financial Wisdom

Learn how pricing impacts both your private practice and client relationships. This course explores the psychology of pricing, highlighting how undervaluing services can create challenges for therapists and clients. You’ll uncover benefits of appropriate pricing, design strategies to diversify your weekly schedule, and address common fears around setting fees. By the end, you’ll gain actionable insights to align your pricing with your practice goals and client needs.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$90

Dreaming (3) Your First Client

Participants will In this workshop, participants can expect to gain a foundational understanding of essential aspects of private practice.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$90

Dreaming (5)- Marketing

Participants will learn how to effectively communicate their professional identity by crafting a concise three-sentence introduction to share with potential clients.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$90

Developing Metaphors in Therapy

In this engaging and interactive course, participants will explore the power of metaphors and symbols as tools for helping clients gain perspective and connect more deeply to their therapeutic work. Participants will develop a clear understanding of metaphors and similes, identify meaningful topics and themes that can inspire metaphor development, and discover the therapeutic benefits of using metaphors to illuminate client experiences. Through guided exploration, participants will learn practical ways to incorporate metaphors and symbols into therapy sessions, helping clients create their own unique representations of their experiences. This creative approach offers an opportunity for clients to uncover new insights, gain clarity, and connect more fully to their healing journey.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$25

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Experience the grounding power of progressive muscle relaxation and learn how to use it effectively in sessions. You’ll practice creating and leading a mini relaxation exercise focused on a single part of the body, using simple, clear language. Discover the benefits of this technique for promoting sensory awareness and supporting clients through various challenges. You’ll also explore how and why this method can be an ideal way to begin a group or session, setting a calming and focused tone.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$25

Guided Visualizations and Art Responses

This workshop offers an opportunity to explore how guided visualization can help clients connect with themselves and process their experiences through creative responses like art or writing. We’ll discuss the benefits of using guided visualizations in therapy, compare experiences with external and internal visualizations, and identify practical ways to integrate these techniques into your work. You’ll also learn how art-making or writing can enhance a client’s understanding and engagement with the process. Perfect for therapists looking to incorporate creative, reflective approaches into their practice.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$25

Doodles, Structure, and Curiosity

Rediscover the joy of doodling and its potential to spark creativity and free your mind. In this workshop, you’ll explore how to move past judgments that block creative expression and learn ways to create boundaries on the page that support artistic freedom. You’ll also uncover the therapeutic benefits of doodling, whether as a personal practice or a warm-up tool for clients, and discover techniques to add depth and detail to your designs. With a curious mindset, doodling becomes more than just drawing—it’s a gateway to inspiration and emotional expression.

Emery Mikel

Emery Mikel

$25