ART THERAPY

For centuries, art has served as a powerful form of expression and storytelling across cultures, offering a way to make meaning, process experiences, and communicate what words often cannot. Art therapy honors this universal language, supporting individuals of all ages, especially children and nonverbal populations, by focusing on the process of creating rather than the final product. Unlike art instruction, art therapy is not about skill or technique. No artistic experience is needed to benefit from this work. Many individuals find healing simply by making marks, exploring materials, and connecting with their inner world in new and gentle ways.

​Ethical, evidence-based art therapy should be provided by professionals credentialed through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). While many artists, educators, and community members offer meaningful creative practices, Registered Art Therapists (ATR) complete a master level graduate program focused specifically on art therapy theory, clinical art-based assessment, and supervised practicum experiences. Many art therapists also hold dual licensure as professional counselors, social workers, psychologists, or marriage and family therapists.​

Registered Art Therapists are uniquely trained to use art as a primary mode of therapy, integrating verbal processing with creative exploration. They are equipped to recognize developmental stages of art making, hold space for what emerges in the process, and help individuals navigate powerful emotions or repressed trauma that may surface through the art. This work is both gentle and deep and is done in a way that centers safety, consent, and inclusion.​

Kari L. de Boer has presented her research and clinical experience at national conferences, including the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Midwest Child Life Conference, regional medical conferences, and for local hospitals, schools, and nonprofits. Kari is committed to staying current with evidence-based practices and ongoing professional development, ensuring that her work remains grounded, ethical, and responsive to the evolving needs of her clients and community.