I am a Clinical Professional Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist who utilizes an embodied, relational, and creative approach to facilitate growth and resilience within a therapeutic relationship.
It started in
Fall 2012
I’m sitting outside the College of Architecture building with that familiar anxiety that marks the beginning of the semester. Temporary relief comes from the sun thawing out the effects of over-air conditioned buildings. The stillness of everyone in classes allows me to take a breath.
And then the churning feeling in my stomach begins. Do you know the one? That bodily sense of feeling lost…
I remind myself that I have always wanted to be an architect. That I should not disrupt the perfectly curated fall schedule.
Stick to the plan, Kayla.
You already have it all figured out.
Right??
Doubts and existential dread creep in until Google comes to my rescue. Phew.
Exact search terms aside, the search for fulfillment begins. My armor of achieving, performing, bull shitting, planning, competing, pleasing (things I would later learn to name as over-control) were failing. I had learned how to impress my professors, compete in the who-can-sleep-least game with my classmates, and earn good grades.
But when I considered how this pattern played out, it meant nothing without connection and vulnerability. Coffee runs at 2am with conversations about emotions, spirituality, and relationships were more meaningful to me than fine-tuning my review boards to get an “A.”
Fast forward
5 years after graduating, and I am still searching.
With my perfection-seeking inner critic as strong as ever, I find that any one religious group, job, or recreational pursuit doesn’t fit the bill.
My quest eventually leads me to discover…
ART THERAPY
ART THERAPY
A career that incorporates creativity and problem solving? It must be perfect! Puzzle pieces felt like they were finally fitting together, the picture becoming clearer. I found renewed motivation in pursuing a profession where I could support people in a tangible way.
March 2018
As a bright-eyed graduate student, I begin a program at Pratt Institute ready to master helping people. Jokes on me. The universe provides many opportunities to reinforce that I am not learning how to heal others -- art therapy is healing me.
All or nothing patterns get challenged with “trust the process.”
My critical thinking gets a break while I learn to access my body, sensations, nature.
“Art…most closely resembles what it is like to be human. To be alive. It is our nature to be imperfect. To have uncategorized feelings and emotions. To make or do things that don’t sometimes necessarily make sense. Art is all just perfectly imperfect.”
— Nicholas Wilton
Present Day
I’ve reached 100% wholeness and self-actualization. Rolls eyes at ridiculous expectations of self.
I’m still on the journey.
I come alongside others as a learner, with an intention to move towards flexibility for myself, and a hope that a compassionate and inviting presence is more powerful than any intervention.
I care deeply about practicing with a welcoming, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach. I believe our nervous system and bodies can be a powerful source of wisdom in a society where the written word reigns. I believe post-traumatic growth is possible.
“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.”
— John Steinbeck
Professional Experience, Training, Education
Art Therapy
Unblending the Parts: Integrating Internal Family Systems and Art Therapy (2023)
Art Therapy Supervision continuing education series (2023)
Mental Health Therapist at Active Resilience Counseling & Coaching (2020-2023)
American Art Therapy Association continuing education, topics in process painting, response art, human trafficking (2021)
Combating Isolation Through Creativity: The Benefits of Art Therapy in Virtual Treatment (2021)
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute (2020)
Trauma
NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) Therapist in Training - Level 2, Module 4 (2023)
Applications of SE: Neurodivergence, Trauma, and Somatic Experiencing (2023)
Practical Tools for Working with Youth: Somatic Experiencing Workshop (2022)
Training through the Embody Lab, topics in somatic embodiment, Internal Family Systems, trauma healing, attachment (2022)
Contract Group Therapist at BeLoved Atlanta (2021-2022), serving adult survivors of sexual violence and addiction
IFS and Polyvagal Theory: Healing Through Compassionate Connection (2021)
Affirming, Anti-Oppressive, and Culturally Responsive
Identity, Art Therapy, and Working with LGBTQIA+ Community (2024)
Gender Dysphoria in Adults: Moving Beyond Diagnosis and Toward Affirmative Practice (2024)
Intro to Disability Justice for Mental Health Providers Workshop (2022)
Reclaiming Natural Rhythms: Decolonizing Embodiment Practices (2022)
Grief
Contract Group Therapist at Kate's Club, providing art therapy for children and teens grieving the death of a parent, sibling or caregiver (2021-2023)
The Grief Summit: Grief Counseling and Treatment in a Pandemic of Loss (2021)
Chronic Pain
The Body as an Ally: A Somatic Treatment Approach to Chronic Pain (2024)