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
LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #178.013750
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
LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #178.013750
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, medical, and higher education settings, working primarily with adult populations. I completed my art therapy training at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, offering individual and group counseling to military Veterans. During that time, I created arts therapy programming tailored for female-identified Veterans and offered digital photography groups, as well as co-facilitating programming throughout the medical center focusing on topics ranging from moral injury to military sexual trauma. Following my work at the VA, I worked in hospice and palliative care, providing art therapy and counseling to patients throughout the Chicago area. Using visual art as a method of communication between patients and caregivers, I worked with patients, families, and friends to create legacy pieces, preserve stories, and add creative, meaningful experiences to end of life care. I currently work at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as the Art Therapist in Counseling Services, and support students as they adjust to the school environment, cultivate their relationship with art, and prepare for their future careers.
I identify as female (she/her pronouns) and 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 city what it is today.
Pronouns: she/her/hers