A little bit about my past experience...

As a lifelong artist and creative thinker, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Delaware. My current artwork consists of paintings and collages made from recycled materials. I also have a passion for mural making and community art as well. I am a Board Certified Art Therapist, a Licensed Professional Counselor (PA) and my clinical work is informed by Attachment Based Family Therapy. Using this approach allows me to emphasize the importance of maintaining healthy communication with your loved ones and support systems. I also incorporate art making, journaling, & other creative coping skills designed to empower you beyond the therapy session.

I was drawn to the field of Art Therapy after seeing first hand that art not only can produce an aesthetically pleasing  finished product, but can also transform lives through its creation and display. Some things in life truly cannot be put into words.

In order to help others experience the healing power of art, I earned my Master of Arts in Art Therapy degree from Drexel University. I have worked in inner city school settings with children struggling with behavioral difficulties, neighborhood violence, learning disabilities, low self esteem, and family conflict. I have also worked in several inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings treating mental health diagnoses, substance use, and trauma. I have a passion for mural making and transformative community art, and have used community mural projects and patient art shows to engage individuals in their recoveries. I also contribute to the field of Art Therapy by providing clinical supervision to graduate level Art Therapy students, editing and sitting on the committee of students’ theses, and providing guest lectures for students. 

I have worked for BuildaBridge International  as both an Art Therapist and an Artist on Call. My experiences with BuildaBridge have included working with children experiencing trauma and homelessness throughout the Philadelphia area. Additionally, I collaborated  to pilot BuildaBridge's Refugee Mental Health Project, providing Art Therapy to Iraqi, Burmese, and Congolese women and children.
To each therapy session I bring with me over 10 years of experience in the helping professions, over 7 years of experience as an Art Therapist, and an earnest and hopeful desire to empower and educate  my clients to make positive change in their own lives.

Testimonials 

 "We're so happy that Natalie decided to take on the task of providing art therapy to our children and families! She has an ability to connect and make all constituents feel comfortable and open to exploring their feelings and concerns. Children of all ages, including teens, look forward to sessions with this talented art therapist. " 
~Rachel Falkove, Executive Director at NPIHN
"Natalie appears as a directed, confident and knowledgable art therapist. She exhibits excellent relationship building skills and cultural sensitivitity. She has a deep knowledge of a variety of art materials and corresponding art therapy tasks, designed to facilitate a variety of treatment goals." 
~ Denise Wolf, MA, BC Clinical Supervisor

Conferences and Trainings

  • BuildaBridge: International Relief Work Training–Phila., PA  2014
  • Motivational Interviewing–Phila., PA  2014
  • Arts and Health–Dublin, Ireland 2013
  • Delaware Art Therapy Association Annual Conference–Phila., PA 2009-2014
  • Trauma and Healing Through the Arts, Artwell, Sandra Bloom–Phila., PA 2012
  •  BuildaBridge Refugee/Resettlement Training–Phila., PA 2012
  •  Expressive Therapies Summit–New York, NY 2012
  •  BuildaBridge Trauma and Arts Training–Phila., PA 2010
  • BuildaBridge Classroom Training–Phila., PA 2010
  • Phototherapy Techniques Training Workshop, Judy Weiser–Phila., PA 2009

 Awards

Overall Scholarship and Achievement in Art Therapy from Drexel University
Outstanding Achievement in Art Therapy Research from Drexel University

Grants

Leeway Art and Change Grant 2010

Lectures & Professional Presentations

  • Annual Self-Care Health Professionals Workshop at Drexel University 2015
  • BuildaBridge 13th Annual Institute for Arts and Transformation: Refugee Lecture 2014
  • Drexel University Panel for Professional Practices in Art Therapy 2013; 2014
  • Drexel University Recent Graduate Panel 2011; 2012
  • BuildaBridge International Refugee Mental Health Lecture 2012

Research

My graduate thesis studied maternal attachment in children living in foster care. It was titled “The Experience of Insecure Attachment in Latency Age Foster Care Children as Communicated Through the Drawing of a Mother and Baby Animal in Conjunction with an In-depth Interview: A Phenomenological Study”. A portion of my findings can be found here.
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Thriveworks Counseling
1518 Walnut Street Suite 804 Philadelphia PA, 19102
http://thriveworks.com/philadelphia-counseling
215-399-9764