Expressive art Therapy

Hiking, biking, exploring the outdoors! Adventure and creating a sense of hope and belonging is my passion. As a kid, I would spend most of my time outside on a hunt for special rocks with unique features to join my special collection, this carried on into my adulthood. I enjoy finding unique and special features/ characteristics in all I do and in all the paths I cross.  

I received my bachelor’s degree in art therapy and psychology from Edgewood College in Madison and currently pursuing my Master's in Art Therapy at Mount Mary University. I am driven to practice in a holistic person-centered approach because I believe the client should be the driver of their mental health journey. My passion for the arts and its ability to help us cope and connect with our feelings has grown over the years. The positive effects art has had on me throughout my life has given me the passion to work with children and enhanced my awareness of the power of art, as I truly believe early intervention is key to the development of a strong foundation.  I think children have a lot of interesting and important perspectives that we may miss, and I hope to be the ears that hear them. 

I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Creative Forces Therapy team and look forward to serving the Dane County community. 

I have been creating and experimenting with art material since I was a kid. Not only did I use traditional art supplies such as paints or colored pencils to make my creations, but I also experimented creatively using recycled materials and found objects such as torn-up blue jeans, pieces of broken mirrors, and bottle caps. I took art classes throughout my schooling, but one year in high school I was unable to fit an art class into my schedule. During that time I was also involved in sports and other clubs, and therefore I didn't have time to make as much art as I would have liked. Not having an art class that semester showed me how beneficial art was to my mental health and well-being. Without time to make art, I was more worried and anxious than usual. It was then that I realized I would need to prioritize art-making in my life.

Going into college, I became more fascinated with art history and learning about techniques I had never tried. I took many painting, printmaking, and ceramics courses that helped fine-tune my skills. In 2020, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Art from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. I currently am pursuing my Master's degree in Art Therapy at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. My previous clinical experience involved working with adults who were in substance use recovery and supporting their families. Additionally, I have experience working with survivors and their children in a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter. At the shelter, I often engaged in play with the children to help promote wellness and community. I also have experience teaching art in a few capacities. I was in 4-H growing up and when I was in high school, I conducted several art demonstrations for other members. These demonstrations included how to draw in different contemporary styles, such as cartoons, and how to increase photo quality when shooting action photography, such as sports photography. I believe anyone can learn how to use art-making to bring wellness to their life! 

As an only child, I needed to be creative to keep myself busy.  I spent a lot of time drawing my toys and enrolled in as many art classes as my school offered.  I also spent a lot of time during the summer with my grandma, who taught me how to knit and crochet.  I earned my bachelor’s degree in art education from UW Milwaukee.  I enjoyed the experience and wide variety of art media I had the opportunity to explore but did not feel that teaching was where I belonged.  When I began my family I was fortunate to be a stay at home mom until my sons began school and then I volunteered weekly in the classrooms and school library.  

As my sons are becoming more independent, I am earning my master’s degree in art therapy from Mount Mary University.  I have always felt that using my creative side has helped me through life’s difficulties and I find it easier to talk about difficult issues if I am also using my hands to make something.  Leaning on my undergrad experience and my experience as a parent, art therapy has become a passion and I hope to help clients improve their lives, if even in small ways.

I believe the client is the expert on themselves.  My job is to help them explore what this means using different art methods.  Therapeutic change relies on a strong relationship, which is my first focus with a new client.  I want my clients to know that they are in a safe place and that I am a support for them.  As we begin exploring different art media, I follow what the client shows interest in and allow them to lead the process.