Empowering A
Creative Approach
Hi there!
Inspiring creativity in therapists—both personally and professionally—starts with embracing the idea that you don’t need artistic skills to be creative. Creativity is about finding new ways to approach your work and your life, whether it’s through new interventions with clients or discovering fresh outlets for self-care and personal expression.
I believe that every therapist (and person!) has the ability to tap into their creative potential, and it’s not about artistic ability—it’s about bringing curiosity, innovation, and authenticity into everything you do. I love being able to explore how creativity can enrich your practice and your life in ways that feel natural and fulfilling!
Licensed professional counselor and board certified art therapist
I’m Allie Joy
Why is creativity important?
Supporting Personal Growth
By engaging in creative activities in our personal lives, it lets us tap into personal growth and self-awareness, which in turn enriches our professional practice. Creativity allows us to explore our own identity and passions, which can inspire more authentic connections with clients.
Fostering innovation
The client population we see is ever evolving, and our approaches to therapy need evolve, too. Not everyone can just sit and talk for an hour (although many can and that’s great, too!). It is our responsibility as therapists and providers to offer access to a safe space where clients can grow and heal in many different ways, and utilizing a creative approach can be helpful in that process.
enhancing problem-solving
Creativity encourages both therapists and clients to think outside the box when tackling personal and professional challenges. It helps us approach issues from new angles, fostering adaptability and innovation both in our own lives and in therapy sessions.
It took a lot of hard work but
look where we
are now.
My background as a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor allows me to have a clinical and creative approach to therapy and supervision/consultation. While I value Art Therapy and the field’s training and background, I also believe that all therapists can incorporate an appropriate level of creativity in the work they do as Therapeutic Art Making. It’s important to note that you don’t need to have any artistic skills to utilize a creative approach. A creative therapeutic approach encapsulates what some might call “out-of-the-box” techniques and thinking, but I consider them to be inclusive and open ideas to meet clients where they are at. Individual consultation is utilized on an as-needed basis if you are looking to consult on a specific case or to introduce some creative techniques into your therapeutic approach.
My background
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Ceramics from The University of Hartford and a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Springfield College
MY EDUCATION
important parts
of consultation
Therapy can be intimidating, classist, and not always inclusive to all clients. It is our responsibility to foster an inclusive and destigmatized environment for all individuals. Sometimes that includes being vulnerable and having difficult conversations with ourselves and others, and supervision and consultation is a great place for those things to be happening, especially through a creative lens.
I also strongly believe that every therapist in private practice should still be seeking supervision, it is not just for pre-licensed clinicians. We all need to discuss cases, trouble shoot, and discuss the work that we cannot freely share with others in our lives.
I started my career working in impoverished areas of Springfield, Massachusetts doing community outreach. I was in homes, schools, and many areas of the community providing therapy to underserved individuals. From there, I began a position as a school-based clinician in Connecticut. I learned valuable skills and knowledge about the 504 and IEP process, how to utilize therapy in a school setting, and the related challenges. I also worked in a school-based behavioral program that had many ups and downs that utilized my creative problem solving skills. I was able to start my private practice part -time while I worked in schools. Eventually I was seeing an increase in demand and referrals and made the leap to working for myself full time.
I started incorporating supervision and consultation into my business when I saw an increase in conversations about creativity, Art Therapy, and Therapeutic Art Making in the therapy room and haven’t looked back since!
MY Experience
Here for you, all the way
Whether you are looking for a specific case consultation, supervision, or ATR supervision I utilize a person centered approach to meet you where you are at. Our work together can include:
Clarifying with providers what art therapy is vs therapeutic art making
Helping clinicians who feel stuck or who need new interventions and creative approaches to treatment
Providing creative, uniquely tailored interventions and ideas in an ethical and license appropriate way
Helping providers to better serve clients and offer creative approaches to treatment, which will in turn help clients have access to non-standard approaches to therapy
Providing creative problem solving and education for building a private practice
Empowering clinicians to utilize different (license appropriate) interventions and feel comfortable straying from the typical therapy box and meeting clients where they are at
Helping clinicians explore new ways to best serve their clients but also stay in their scope of practice in a supportive and empowering way
Empowering clinicians understand when to make a referral to an art therapist vs when to introduce therapeutic art making and other creative approaches
And so much more!