Inside the mind of an unconventional therapist.

I’ve never been a traditional therapist, and I’ve come to understand that I wasn’t meant to be one.

I’m an art therapist, which means the work I do doesn’t always fit the usual picture people have of therapy. It’s a different doorway into healing, a different language for understanding the mind. People are often curious about what that actually looks like, and I’ve learned to see this as an invitation rather than another moment of, “Wait… what even am I as a therapist?”

In grad school, I learned from the great psychology theorists and the pioneers of art therapy- the foundational thinkers who shaped how we understand the mind and the creative process. It felt like holding two treasures at once, the classical psychological frameworks and the expressive, imaginative lineage of art therapy. I wanted to absorb all of it. Every. Single. Thing.

But my brain didn’t absorb information the way textbooks expected it to.

The behind-the-scenes reality of ADHD and a learning disability wasn’t always pleasant. I wasn’t the student who could read a chapter once and quote it back. I was the one rereading the same paragraph ten times, trying not to let my mind wander into another portal of dreamworld. The comparisons came easily, especially when I was trying to understand why I couldn’t grasp anything the way others seemed to. And my inner critic was right there whispering that I wasn’t going to make it as a therapist.

It took time to understand that this wasn’t a flaw; it was simply my wiring.

I wasn’t the therapist who remembered every theory.

But I was the therapist who remembered people.

Connection.

I wanted to understand clients beyond their symptoms- their interests, strengths, and stories that have hidden meaning. Sitting with someone as their inner world unfolded felt natural in a way memorizing textbooks never did.

When people ask about my therapeutic approach, I can give the clinical answer:

narrative therapy, voice dialogue (similar to parts work), mindfulness, art experiential methods- all true and a very classic therapist response.

But what lives underneath that list?

My therapy brain is shaped by artists, musicians, filmmakers, and writers who talk about their process with raw honesty. I learn from how they navigate fear, inspiration, fragmentation, and flow. Their insights help me understand the emotional worlds my clients bring in, worlds I couldn’t always access through a textbook.

I pull inspiration from everywhere:

a lyric,

a film scene,

an interview,

a metaphor that shows up in artwork or dreams.

One of the beautiful things about art therapy is that it isn’t always about making art. It’s about noticing the subconscious sitting right in front of us, offering an entryway into the hidden parts of ourselves.

Over time, I learned that approaching therapy with a beginner’s mindset felt most authentic to me (this clicked for me during a Yo-Yo Ma Masterclass!). Not inexperienced- just open, curious, and grounded. Letting go of the pressure to be the 'expert' created space for real connection and growth, a quality that matters deeply in my work.

So, am I saying that textbooks aren’t helpful? No (Because they really are… says the person who keeps buying new ones at the bookstore that somehow never get opened).

It’s simply a reminder that for brains wired differently, textbooks are just the foundation. They help build the box. However, at some point, it’s time to step out of that box and follow curiosity.

If you are looking for a therapist or mentor to help navigate the complexity of ADHD, welcome to the club :)

JOIN THE WAITLIST