Photo by T Sit, teresajsit.com
Philosophy
My approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, encouraging the expression of the personal narrative to build understanding and awareness. Using mindfulness-based art therapy techniques, I assist clients in the use of art making as a grounding tool to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. My intention is to establish a collaborative space alongside clients that fosters bravery; where we can collect helpful tools as we work toward client goals together. I believe that personal healing and growth is a life-long commitment we make to ourselves. Developing a sense of community while addressing the effect of systemic constructs and ancestry on our identity is an essential part of the healing process. Clients are encouraged to have art supplies at-the-ready, however we may not make art during each session and clients do not need to have any previous experience with art-making in order to engage in art therapy. I encourage intentional, intuitive and spontaneous art-making, supporting clients as they build awareness of emotions and the creative process.
Education
Master of Arts in Art Therapy, 2017, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, 2002, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Licensure
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #180.014820
ATR - Registered Art Therapist #21-36
My approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, encouraging the expression of the personal narrative to build understanding and awareness. Using mindfulness-based art therapy techniques, I assist clients in the use of art making as a grounding tool to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. My intention is to establish a collaborative space alongside clients that fosters bravery; where we can collect helpful tools as we work toward client goals together. I believe that personal healing and growth is a life-long commitment we make to ourselves. Developing a sense of community while addressing the effect of systemic constructs and ancestry on our identity is an essential part of the healing process. Clients are encouraged to have art supplies at-the-ready, however we may not make art during each session and clients do not need to have any previous experience with art-making in order to engage in art therapy. I encourage intentional, intuitive and spontaneous art-making, supporting clients as they build awareness of emotions and the creative process.
Education
Master of Arts in Art Therapy, 2017, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, 2002, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Licensure
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #180.014820
ATR - Registered Art Therapist #21-36
Approaches
Attachment Based
Client-centered
Existentialist Theory
Expressive Arts
Family Systems
Feminist Theory
Humanistic Theory
LGBTQIA2s+ Affirming
Relational Cultural Theory
Spiritual/Religious
Trauma-informed
Experience
My experience is in community mental health, education, and hospital settings, working primarily with adult populations. In my former role as Art Therapist in hospice and palliative care, I used art-making as a method of communication between patients and caregivers, working with patients and families to create legacy pieces, preserve stories, in hopes of adding meaningful experiences to end-of-life care. I then transitioned to working as Art Therapist in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Wellness Center, working with students who were adjusting to changes in their environment, cultivating their relationship with creativity, and preparing for their future careers in art. As Confidential Advisor for the school, I worked closely with the Title IX office to connect students who had experienced sexual assault with available resources. In addition to working with the team at Bailey and Associates Counseling, I currently work as Creative Arts Therapist at Jesse Brown VA Medical center, supporting U.S. Military Veterans navigating a wide-range of mental health concerns and specializing in PTSD, mood disorder management and substance recovery.
My pronouns are she/her/hers and I identify as biracial, of Chinese and White heritage. Raised in Chicago’s south suburbs, I feel deeply connected to the neighborhoods, cultures, and people that make this community what it is today.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
2302 W North Ave. #1E Chicago, IL 60647
(312)869-4492
[email protected]
In the smallest of steps taken toward counteracting indigenous invisibility, we acknowledge that our office sits on land stolen from the people of the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, as well as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox.
This land does not belong to us.