Meet Jackie Laurian Long of TheraPaint Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Laurian Long

Hi Jackie Laurian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The idea for TheraPaint Studio was born over a few years when a series of life events left me with a feeling that was so cumbersome and messy that I just wanted to throw it out of my body. I realized that the words alone for these feelings didn’t seem to match up with what they really felt like and regular talk therapy and exercise weren’t totally fulfilling the need I had to process them. I craved a visual representation of my stress and anxiety so that I could better wrap my mind around it. I had heard of rage rooms and smash rooms where you go to break and smash things but those felt like they left more damage in their wake and the last thing I wanted when I was feeling this way was to cause destruction and waste. I needed healing and a productive and safe outlet so that I could truly begin to process everything and the only thing that felt like it would reach that messy feeling, was to get the mess out through throwing paint.

We decided to set up a makeshift paint-throwing studio in our garage to bring the idea to life. I still remember my first throwing session so clearly. Life had thrown so much at me, it felt so good to throw it back. I started Thera-Painting as a regular practice to relieve stress and process trauma. Pretty soon my husband and even my children started to do it too as their own method of release.

We started to invite friends who were going through their own life challenges into our garage for a throw and realized that this practice truly impacted so many lives in a positive way. Before we knew it we were outgrowing our garage studio. We decided that if we could ever find the right location, we’d love to bring TheraPaint Studio to life to serve a broader audience.

We found a 1920’s bungalow on the historic part Music Row in Nashville and after countless hours of business planning, thoughtful design, and renovations, we opened TheraPaint Studio in the Fall of 2024. We have been so lucky to be embraced by the Nashville Wellness Community and beyond and were even named one of the Top Wellness Gifts of 2024 by GOOP.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d say the biggest hurdle that we have faced is that we are introducing an entirely new realm of wellness practices to the community and the world. Because we have invented a brand new concept, there is no blueprint to follow and blazing the trail in this lane has definitely had it’s ups and downs.

One of the key elements of a TheraPaint experience is that each client walks into a clean and clear throwing room before they begin their session. That way when they are finished, they can see the whole scope of what they were personally carrying and have released through this process right in front of them on the canvas and room. The impact of that visual is so important because it validates the feelings and brings awareness and understanding to what people are going through. The tricky part is getting the rooms back to their pristine state between clients and it takes a lot of elbow grease to do that.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
TheraPaint Studio is a first-of-its-kind modern wellness studio focusing on mental health. When you first walk in you will be greeted by a team member and offered refreshments while we begin to get your supplies ready. You will select your colors of compostable milk-based paint and receive your full body protective throwing suit and gear and be led to your own sound-dampened pristine private throwing room.

Once in the room, you are invited to focus on whatever doesn’t serve you or whatever feeling you’d like to let go of and then dip the brush in the paint and throw that feeling at the wall, allowing it to fly out of you via paint onto the waiting canvas. You have to let go of any ideals of perfectionism or any expectations and just let it all fly out of you knowing that the end result will be composted to be used as fuel in our on-site garden. Pairing the visual result with the physical aspect of throwing feels cathartic, productive and proactive.

When you are done with your session, you may spend some time in our meditative zen den perusing our curated selection of books or enjoy some time in our peaceful garden to reflect on all the beauty that has grown from this process. Before you leave you are given a Polaroid of your creation to take with you along with a small TheraPaint gift and your throwing suit if you choose to take it to reuse for another time.

The TheraPaint approach is important because it provides a physical representation of what the most important lesson in therapy is: that it is often from the most difficult times in life that the most wisdom, understanding, gratitude, and beauty are grown.
The benefits I’ve noticed after a session are the feelings of relief, the recognition and validation of the way we hold something on the inside, and letting it come out in a safe, private, large-scale way. Feelings are more than just words, and this method resonates on a totally different level.
I also think that there is an element of discovery that happens during a session. Each client walks in to their own private spotless room and they have to cross that threshold within themselves to get it messy. It’s as though the blocked energy moves (or is thrown out) to make space for more clarity, understanding, and freedom as the session continues and the room goes from a pristine space to the exact opposite, a room full of dripping colors of paint splatter.

We spend so much of our time trying to stay organized, put things away, clean up, keep things in order, etc. This is a space where you get to forget all of that and step into your messiest feelings on purpose and then leave it all behind knowing that something beautiful is going to grow from it and you don’t have to clean it up.

We have four single-occupancy throwing rooms. Our throwing sessions are 45 minutes long so you should allow about 1 hour of time from start to finish. Individual sessions are $160 per person and we also have a TheraPaint for 2 option at $300. Throughout the year we also offer community events like sound baths, cold plunges, and yoga in addition to small group therapeutic sessions or intensives lead by licensed therapists. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter through our website www.therapaintstudio.com or follow us on Instagram for updates on our upcoming events. Our beautiful studio is also available to rent for private group events.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am filled with joy and gratitude each time a client comes out from their session feeling relief and peace. It makes me so happy to know that this crazy thing that I needed to do so badly in my garage when I was at my lowest point is meeting others’ needs in exactly the way that it is intended to. Seeing the client realize that their TheraPaint session was exactly the outlet that they needed makes my heart feel so full. Bringing TheraPaint Studio to life is a dream come true, I truly feel like I am walking in my purpose helping people heal from all that life has thrown at them.

Pricing:

• Single Paint Throwing Session – $160
• Paint Throwing for 2 – $300
• Founders Membership – $125/month for a monthly maintenance session
• Package of 3 Paint Throwing Sessions – $435
• Exclusive “Grow” Candle made in collaboration with Ranger Station – $45

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therapaintstudio.com
• Instagram: @therapaintstudio