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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 has been on the Board of IEATA for many years and now serves as a Board Advisor. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 IEATA Shining Star Award and is an elder and a leader in the global field of Expressive Arts.
A psychotherapist since 1988, Kathleen 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.
Her transition into the Expressive Arts began when she co-founded the Visions of Hope Project of the Child Protection Center, in 1995, with Ruth Shapiro, LCSW. This innovative project brought artmaking into therapy groups with children who had been sexually abused. 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 they co-created the Art and Healing Certificate Program at Ringling College of Art and Design. 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 and Tamara Teeter Knapp are now co-owners and core faculty of EAFI.
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. Her work has been exhibited in various venues, including Cortes Island, B.C., where she spends her summers. Kathleen created the Art as a Healing Practice model, a combination of guided meditation, nature-based practice, visual art, intermodal explorations, writing, and witnessing. As a co-founder and core faculty of Expressive Arts Florida Institute Certificate Training Program, Kathleen co-teaches, with Tamara Knapp, all the core courses in the training. She also offers regular Open Studios, both online and in-person, and a variety of expressive arts workshops and conference presentations.
“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 creative wisdom, and learning the skills to make this visible 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.”