What originally drew you to the field of art therapy? 

I was originally drawn to the field of art therapy when, as a teenager, an art teacher encouraged me to either "get an art therapist or become one"- I chose to do both.

Can you tell us about your academic journey? 

I went to undergraduate at a program that had a Bachelor’s level certificate in art therapy- kind of an intro to the field- under my mentor Dr. Roberta Victor. I was then able to attend graduate school at Antioch University in Seattle, where I chose to focus on art therapy and family systems. In that program I completed specialized coursework in the areas including trauma, loss, and grief. I was also able to provide art therapy services as an intern at a community mental health agency and a hospital supporting people across the lifespan from infancy to the aging. 

Can you talk about the power of art therapy in your life and your work?

I strongly believe that if I hadn’t had the focus and purpose of becoming an art therapist I would not have survived several points in my life. It was because of my love of caring for others through clinical work that I also learned to care for myself while working through my own mental health journey. Art therapy has been the foundation of many identities in my life, including as a professional and as a mother.

From your point of view, what is the most important thing to keep in mind when working as an art therapist?

I think that a term another mentor, Dani Baker, taught me always is relevant in our work: Trust the process, keep it simple, and do no harm. We send ripples of change out into the world in ways we may never fully see, but that doesn’t change the impact of processing life through art-making.

What are some important self-care practices you recommend or practice?

I encourage all therapists to do their own work. There is no shame in being in therapy, as we so often tell our clients, and it is ok to show ourselves that same level of compassion and grace. I also am a firm believer in the integrative approach to trauma-informed expressive arts therapies (shout out to Dr. Cathy Malchiodi for her awesome trainings) and feel that our self-care must focus on returning to center, returning to our foundations as humans, and incorporate various approaches rather than one specific practice. For me, that includes movement, breathwork, music and concerts, as well as visual art-making. I am also a person who thrives in community, connections, and creating opportunities for others. I also believe that “food is mood” and we must take better accountability for ensuring we are consuming healthy foods and drinking enough water.

Are you working on anything now that you’re really excited about?

Through my work at Children’s Hospital Colorado I have had so many phenomenal opportunities and privileges to expand my clinical lens. I am excited for future projects, that are still in the works, that will hopefully continue to expand accessibility for clients and their families, while working to improve diversity, health equity, and inclusion for all. As a member of the Captains of Inclusion program at Children’s I am still in the lifelong process of learning about how internal biases impact our existence as humans, as well as how we show up as clinicians. I am excited at the opportunities to challenge myself past where things feel comfortable so that others can learn and benefit in a meaningful way that is supportive for them. I also have been working on a curriculum designed to integrate frameworks that have been impactful to assist in better providing trauma-aware and healing centered treatment for our

patients.

How important is it to collaborate with your art therapy colleagues?

We are nothing without community. Although the definition of that may shift to best represent who we are and who we support, I truly feel that connections with art therapy colleagues have been sustaining and life-changing. If I had not been a member and consultation leader for COATA I would have missed the email from Katherine Reed, Program Manager of Ponzio Creative Arts Therapies at Children’s, that shifted and encourages my work.

How have your professional collaborations benefited your career?

My professional collaborations have expanded the opportunities that I have to do the work, shifted where I have been and what I do within the field of art therapy, and enabled me to support others through clinical supervision and consultation.

How would you like to see the field of art therapy evolve in the coming years?

I would like to see the field of art therapy evolve into a more diverse and equitable profession that is empowered to address the injustices faced by our membership, our clients, and our world. While change is slow, it is crucial to our survival. Maintaining status quo is complicity in a time when people are marginalized for living their lives. We have the potential to be better than that as a profession. We can expand the definition of what art-in-therapy and art-as-therapy truly looks like. We can incorporate and integrate multi-modal frameworks that are honoring to the cultural diversity of humanity. We can create a space where people are empowered, encouraged, and educated to live their healthiest lives.

Is there anything you would like to see happen to support and expand the Colorado art therapy community?

I would love for there to be more involvement of each art therapist. We are all carrying heavy weights right now, and existing can be overwhelming. But we remain stronger together.

How is/can art therapy or art used for social justice?

Art therapy is and must be used in the areas of social justice. Creative expression is a core part of our voices, and how we make meaning in the world.

Is there anything additional you would like to share about yourself or your experience as an art therapist or your art therapy practice?

I am looking forward to more opportunities to connect internationally with other clinicians, provide trainings and supervision to folks throughout their journeys as art therapists, and of course keep supporting clients through trauma-informed expressive arts therapies!