About Bo Hundley Assefa
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Seniors (65+)
Families
Adults (25-64)
Groups
Treatment approaches
Art Therapy
Culturally Sensitive
Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
Expressive Arts
Compassion Focused
Family / Marital
Identity
Gender
FemaleSexuality
StraightFaith
ChristianEthnicity
White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Bo Hundley Assefa
About Essential Guidance, LLC
Essential Guidance, LLC is a behavioral health organization committed to helping individuals, families, and communities heal, grow, and thrive. We believe that lasting change begins with addressing the emotional, social, and systemic challenges that impact overall well-being. Through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and holistic care, we provide individuals with the support, tools, and guidance needed to navigate life's difficulties and achieve meaningful personal growth.
Our services are designed to meet people where they are, recognizing that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. We offer individual, family, and group therapy, mindfulness and meditation practices, life skills development, psychoeducation, bibliotherapy, and community-based support to promote emotional wellness and resilience.
At Essential Guidance, we understand that trauma, systemic inequities, and life stressors can affect every aspect of a person's life. Our approach focuses on restoring dignity, strengthening self-worth, building healthy coping strategies, and empowering individuals to reclaim their voice and sense of purpose.
We are especially committed to supporting underserved and marginalized communities by creating safe, inclusive spaces where healing, self-discovery, and transformation can occur. As individuals heal, families become stronger, communities become more connected, and opportunities for lasting positive change emerge.
Our mission is to empower individuals affected by trauma and systemic barriers through compassionate, evidence-based care that fosters resilience, restoration, and hope. Through our work, we strive to create healthier individuals, stronger families, and more equitable communities.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Bo Hundley Assefa is a quirky, conscious, and seasoned Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist (LCPAT) who blends clinical expertise with a deep passion for creative expression.
With a strong foundation in creative justice and community healing, Bo built her career around supporting youth impacted by incarceration, systemic inequality, and trauma. She began her professional journey as an independent contractor, delivering art enrichment and therapeutic services to Title I schools, subsidized housing communities, and juvenile correctional facilities throughout Richmond, Virginia.
Her award winning graduate thesis focused on open studio art therapy with justice involved youth, an approach she later brought into practice during her five year tenure as an art therapist at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center. Her exceptional work with justice involved youth has been recognized in local news outlets, highlighting her impact and commitment to community centered care.
Bo provides individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults across inpatient psychiatric units, psycho educational programs, Baltimore City schools, the Department of Juvenile Justice, community programs, and court involved treatment settings. By integrating traditional therapeutic approaches with artistic expression, she creates dynamic, engaging, and deeply effective healing spaces that transform emotions into insight, growth, and meaningful self expression.
Beyond direct clinical work, Bo is a dedicated mentor and supervisor committed to shaping the next generation of trauma informed and culturally responsive clinicians. She has supervised graduate art therapy students in real world settings, guiding them in ethical practice, cultural awareness, and the use of creativity as a tool for healing.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to show up as their authentic selves. My process begins with building a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, curiosity, and collaboration. During our initial sessions, I take time to understand each client's unique experiences, strengths, challenges, cultural background, and goals for treatment.
As an art therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, I tailor therapy to the individual rather than expecting clients to fit into a specific model. Together, we explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and life experiences through both traditional talk therapy and creative expression when appropriate. No artistic experience is required—artmaking is simply another way to communicate, process emotions, and gain insight when words feel difficult or limiting.
I utilize a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach, integrating evidence-based therapeutic interventions with creative processes that support emotional regulation, self-awareness, problem-solving, and resilience. For children and adolescents, I often incorporate developmentally appropriate art activities, play-based interventions, and family collaboration to promote growth and healing. With adults, therapy may include reflective artmaking, mindfulness practices, cognitive and behavioral strategies, and exploration of life transitions, identity, relationships, or past experiences.
Throughout treatment, I work collaboratively with clients to identify meaningful goals, monitor progress, and adjust interventions as their needs evolve. My goal is to create a supportive, engaging, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore challenges, discover strengths, develop healthy coping skills, and move toward lasting personal growth and well-being.
Whether through conversation, creativity, or a combination of both, I strive to help clients transform difficult experiences into oppor
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In-network insurances
Bo Hundley Assefa, MA has 50+ in-network plans.
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Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $125 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $125 for 60 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
Office location
Bo Hundley Assefa, MA also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- The George Washington University, Master's in Art Therapy Counseling
NPI number
1871296020
How soon can I make an appointment with Bo Hundley Assefa?
Generally, Bo Hundley Assefa has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Bo Hundley Assefa's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Bo Hundley Assefa accepting new patients?
Bo Hundley Assefa generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Bo Hundley Assefa's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Bo Hundley Assefa accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Bo Hundley Assefa is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Bo Hundley Assefa online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Bo Hundley Assefa using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Bo Hundley Assefa work with?
Bo Hundley Assefa works with Essential Guidance, LLC.
Where is Bo Hundley Assefa's office located?
Bo Hundley Assefa has 2 office locations in Baltimore, view full addresses on Bo Hundley Assefa's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Bo Hundley Assefa?
Bo Hundley Assefa frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Psychotherapy, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Bo Hundley Assefa on their profile.
What languages does Bo Hundley Assefa speak?
Bo Hundley Assefa speaks English.