Genevieve Savage, LCSW
St. Petersburg Therapist Specializing in Art & Teen therapy
Family-centered approach emphasizing caregiver involvement and healthy communication within family systems
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
About Genevieve
Genevieve works with children, young adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and family systems. She has experience helping individuals navigate the effects of trauma, anxiety, and day-to-day stressors. Genevieve enjoys helping clients find a sense of individuality, develop a positive self-image, and identify existing strengths within themselves or their family systems. She creates a safe space where clients feel confident and supported through non-judgmental communication. Genevieve meets clients where they are and empowers them to make positive changes that work best in their lives.
Credentials & Education
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — Florida | License #SW25537
M.S.W. from the University of South Florida
Trained in Art & Creative Therapy
Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children
Who Genevieve Supports
Genevieve works with:
Children navigating trauma, anxiety, or emotional challenges — using art and play therapy to help young people express feelings they may not have words for yet
Teens developing individuality and positive self-image — supporting identity exploration, confidence building, and emotional independence
LGBTQ+ youth seeking accepting support — providing a non-judgmental environment to explore identity, navigate family dynamics, and build emotional resilience
Kids and teens with behavioral challenges — addressing oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, or emotional regulation difficulties
Children on the autism spectrum — providing developmentally-appropriate support for emotional expression and social skills
Children and teens experiencing anxiety and depression — managing worry, fear, low mood, and stress through creative and evidence-based approaches
Families navigating crisis — providing structured support during difficult transitions or acute challenges
St. Petersburg families value Genevieve's creative, engaging approach and her commitment to involving caregivers in the therapeutic process to promote healthy communication and emotional expression at home.
Genevieve’s Approach to Therapy
Genevieve blends art therapy, play therapy, and evidence-based modalities with a family-centered, strengths-based approach. Her sessions are creative, interactive, and tailored to each child's developmental stage.
She focuses on:
Using art therapy — drawing, painting, and other creative mediums to help children and teens explore emotions, regulate stress, and build resilience when words aren't enough
Engaging in play therapy — providing a safe, interactive space for children to express feelings through therapeutic play, fostering emotional growth and problem-solving
Applying CBT for kids — helping children identify unhelpful thought patterns, manage emotions, and build coping skills using kid-friendly techniques
Involving caregivers and families — emphasizing full family services and caregiver involvement to promote healthy communication and emotional expression
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth — creating an affirming, non-judgmental environment where young people can explore identity and build emotional independence
Identifying strengths — helping individuals and family systems recognize existing strengths and build on them
Genevieve's sessions often involve art-based activities like LEGOs, drawing, painting, or games, creating a therapeutic environment that feels natural and engaging for children and teens.
What Genevieve Helps Clients With
Genevieve supports St. Petersburg children, teens, and families experiencing:
Trauma and PTSD
Depression and major depressive disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
LGBTQ+ identity exploration and family acceptance
School-related stress and behavioral concerns
Genevieve’s Background & Experience
Genevieve's clinical experience includes:
Working with children and families across multiple settings
Supporting at-risk youth and families facing complex challenges
Specializing in school concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma, and crisis management
Her professional experience includes:
Art therapy using creative mediums to facilitate emotional expression and healing
Play therapy providing safe, developmentally-appropriate spaces for children
Family therapy emphasizing caregiver involvement and healthy communication
Supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in affirming, accepting environments
Working with children diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, GAD, MDD, and autism spectrum disorder
A Message From Genevieve
"Every child and young person has strengths, creativity, and the capacity for growth. My job is to create a space where they can express themselves—whether through art, play, or conversation—and help families build the communication and connection that supports lasting change."
Ready to work with Genevieve?
We invite you to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us to begin your healing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is art therapy and how does it help children?
Art therapy uses creative mediums like drawing, painting, and sculpting, to help children and teens explore emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills when words aren't enough. Many young people struggle to verbalize what they're feeling, but art provides a natural outlet for expression. Through the creative process, children can externalize difficult emotions, gain insight into their experiences, and develop emotional regulation skills. Art therapy is particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, and situations where traditional talk therapy feels overwhelming or inaccessible.
How is play therapy different from regular play?
Play therapy is structured, intentional, and therapeutic, not just free play. While it may look like a child is "just playing," a trained play therapist is observing patterns, facilitating emotional expression, and guiding the child toward healing and growth. Play therapy gives children a safe space to work through difficult experiences, practice social skills, express emotions they can't verbalize, and develop problem-solving abilities. The therapeutic playroom and the therapist's responses are designed to promote emotional growth in ways that feel natural and non-threatening to children.
Do you provide LGBTQ+ affirming therapy for teens?
Yes. Genevieve creates a non-judgmental, affirming environment where LGBTQ+ youth can explore identity, navigate family dynamics, address internalized stigma, and build emotional independence. Therapy focuses on supporting young people as they develop authentic self-expression, process challenges related to coming out or identity exploration, and build resilience in environments that may not feel safe or accepting. The goal is to help LGBTQ+ youth feel seen, valued, and empowered.
How involved will I be as a parent in my child's therapy?
Ideally, parents are very involved. Genevieve emphasizes a team based approach, and caregiver involvement because lasting change happens when parents have tools to support their child between sessions. Depending on your child's age and needs, this might include regular parent check-ins, family sessions, or learning specific techniques to use at home. You're an essential partner in the therapeutic process, not just someone dropping your child off for treatment.
Can therapy help children with autism spectrum disorder?
Yes. Genevieve has experience working with children on the autism spectrum, providing developmentally-appropriate support for emotional expression, social skills, anxiety management, and behavioral challenges. Therapy is tailored to each child's unique presentation, communication style, and needs—using creative approaches like art and play to facilitate growth in ways that honor neurodivergent ways of being.
What does CBT for kids look like?
CBT for kids adapts traditional cognitive behavioral therapy into developmentally appropriate, kid-friendly techniques. This might include games, visual aids, creative activities, and concrete examples to help children identify unhelpful thoughts, understand the connection between thoughts and feelings, and develop practical coping skills. Rather than abstract discussions, CBT for kids uses hands-on, engaging methods that make sense for younger minds while building confidence, reducing anxiety, and improving emotional regulation.