After  majoring in English with a minor in Psychology,  I never imagined I would wind up as an Art Therapist. In fact, back in those days, I had never heard of such a career. In the mean time I remained in my current career as a florist. The creativity of floral arranging was enjoyable but after ten years I felt the need for a change.  A restauranteur friend asked me to join what’s formally known as the ‘food service industry’, aka, waitressing, bartending, managing.  While this experience confirmed my enjoyment of working with people it lacked the creative aspect I needed. 

I then pursued initial course work for Physical Therapy and stumbled upon the job description for Art Therapist. Once I read the prerequisite course work for the Art Therapy graduate programs, namely, psychology and studio art, I knew it was a perfect fit. I needed to go back and get my studio art credits (yea, drawing, paint, sculpting!)  I attended and graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New York.  Initially  I worked per diem in a number of group homes until finding a full time position with St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, NY. Here I worked on the inpatient addiction unit for nine years, providing Art Therapy as well as writing, music, and recreation  to patients from the five boroughs of New York and the tristate area. During this time I was given the opportunity to complete course work for what New York calls a ‘Certified Alcohol-Substance Abuse Counselor’ or CASAC.  Also, while working at SVH, I was able to become Board Certified with the Art Therapy Credentials Board, and licensed in New York as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist.

There was a point where I moved out of New York for the greener, woodsier (hello ticks!) environment of Connecticut and subsequently found employment with Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT. That was 15 years ago, and this remains my full time employment.  I am privileged to work in every unit of the hospital from inpatient, to residential and outpatient, as well as their assessment program. I have implemented Art Therapy groups and one-on-one sessions with patients covering the gamut of mental illness.  The patients range in age from adolescents to senior adults. And while I enjoy bringing art supplies and the experience of creating visual art to all the patients, I admit to a soft spot for the teenagers.

During the time I’ve been with Silver Hill Hospital, Connecticut has implemented the licensing for Art Therapists. I have also continued to maintain my certification as an addictions counselor, known in CT as CAC.

I met Tracey and Dr. Krasner while they were involved with the residential adolescent program at Silver Hill Hospital.  During this time Dr. Krasner generously expanded the Art Therapy program to include a weekly visit to Silvermine Art School, so that the adolescents could have a fuller, more in-depth art experience. Although Dr. Krasner has moved beyond Silver Hill, this weekly, off-campus experience is still part of the adolescent residential program.

In my spare time I enjoy drawing, painting, collaging, photography and traveling. My personal photo is a fairly recent venture to Venice with a site-seeing tour via kayak.