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Kathleen earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and her M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Florida. She holds a Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. Kathleen is also a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant Educator and a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). Kathleen was on the Board of IEATA for many years, and is now serves as a Board Advisor.
A psychotherapist since 1988, Kathleen has had a private practice for 30 years and was a primary therapist and then Clinical Director of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program at the Child Protection Center of Sarasota, for 20 years in total.
Her transition into the Expressive Arts began when she co-founded the Visions of Hope Project of the Child Protection Center, in 1995. This innovative project brought art-making into therapy groups with children who had been victimized. The success and inspiration of this project led Kathleen to seek her certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy, and the expressive arts began to permeate her work, both at the Child Protection Center, and in her private practice.
In 1996, Kathleen moved her studio into the Towles Court Art Colony and began expanding her Expressive Arts offerings beyond the therapy setting by creating a variety of workshops bringing the healing aspects of creativity to the general public. In 2000, she and Victoria Domenichello-Anderson opened Inner Visions Studio and Gallery, and, in 2004 created the Art and Healing Certificate Program at Ringling College of Art and Design, Continuing Studies and Special Programs. In 2007, Kathleen, with Victoria Domenichello-Anderson, Elizabeth Bornstein, and Tamara Teeter Knapp, founded Expressive Arts Florida, LLC. In 2010, Expressive Arts Florida Institute was created as a vehicle to educate others to become Expressive Arts professionals.
Kathleen is fully dedicated to introducing others to the positive healing power of the Expressive Arts. She is a practicing visual artist, with a special interest in Mandalas and the Touch Drawing process. Her work is exhibited at Expressive Arts Florida, and also Cortes Island, B.C., where she spends her summers. She created the Art as a Healing Practice model, a combination of guided meditation, visual art, writing and sharing, and she teaches this regularly. Kathleen also teaches Mandala workshops, Expressive Arts Case Consultation for therapists, and Touch Drawing. She is a founder and core faculty of Expressive Arts Florida Institute Certificate Training Program. Kathleen offers supervision for therapists seeking registration as a REAT.
“I believe that the expression of our authentic creativity is a positive force for healing and peace, in individuals and in our world. Looking deep within to discover our inner visions, and learning the skills to bring these into form can be a profound experience for both artist and viewer. As an artist, teacher, therapist, and facilitator, my commitment is to stay honest in my own creative expression, and to assist others to do the same. This is a journey that can move us through our resistances, fears, and wounded places; a discovery process that allows our unique creative wisdom to be unearthed, honored, and witnessed. When we share ourselves from our most authentic creative place, we offer to the world our unique sacred vision.”