My Journey to Becoming a Psychotherapist
My journey to being a licensed marriage and family therapist and art therapist did not happen overnight or right out of my undergraduate work. I worked in healthcare for many years before pursuing a career as an art therapist. I have been an artist all of my life and I understand the therapeutic and joyful value of having an art practice. The art I am talking about is not based on product, but rather the process of creating art. I write more about this in my section on art therapy.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist and art therapist, I believe in the creative process to promote well being, self-awareness and joy in the healing process. I also believe we are all here to discover the answers to our BIG questions, such as what makes me happy? Should I or shouldn't I get married and/or have children?What do I want to do with my life? Who am I when I take my masks off? I bring both my varied background in working in healthcare for many years, and my love of creative expression to my work with individuals and groups. I am a trained art therapist from Phillip's Graduate Institute and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California.
I specialize in working with women who seek to feel more empowered in their lives and who would like to feel greater acceptance and trust within themselves. Whether it is anxiety, depression, career dilemmas, mid-life transitions or chronic illness, we can work together to find a place of balance and trust.
Most of all, I will help you develop a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can go out into the world with a secure sense of self rather than a doubt. It is not about being perfect, but feeling WHOLE.
Feel free to email me for more information about how I work, my workshops and my use of creative self-expression.
Victoria@arttherapyla.com
Have you told yourself you value and trust yourself today?
In peace,
Victoria
Education and Training
I have a BA in creative writing from Antioch University and an MA in psychology from Phillip's Graduate Institute with an emphasis in art therapy. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Art Therapist in private practice in West Los Angeles. I am a writer, artist, animal advocate and a workshop leader. I completed a two-year postgraduate training in art therapy at Thalian's Child and Family Outpatient Mental Health Clinic at Cedar's Sinai Medical Center. I trained in Outpatient Substance abuse counseling, domestic violence and facilitate mandala, paper collage and various creative-expression workshops. My focus today is working with women, who seek healing from emotional abuse, chronic illness, self-esteem issues and relational challenges.
Interview with Shelley Klammer
Recently, I was interviewed by Shelley Klammer for her Expressive Art Workshop site and newsletter. Shelley is located in Vancouver and offers many different types of creativity programs online. Our interview can be found here: Creativity and Art.
You can also go to this site to see all that Shelley offers and all the amazing work she does.
