Friday Night- November 1st, from 7-10pm I am hosting an Open Studio Painting Process group from 7-10pm at Art Therapy Studio Chicago Ltd located at 1579 N Milwaukee Ave #210. The group is a safe non-judgmental space for people to express themselves, explore their creativity and deepen their understanding of themselves. To read more about this visit my site at art-therapist.org The group is 3 hours for the low price of $25.00. Open to anyone who is willing to use art to know oneself. No previous art experience is necessary. Please have anyone interested RSVP to Mary Andrus at 773-922-1110.

This evening I had the opportunity to present on the topic of the ethical practice of working as a therapist and an artist- I met with a group of astute and curious students at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and we talked about finding balance in their work, defining their identity as emerging clinicians and how to navigate their private selves alongside their professional selves. I am honored to have had the opportunity to talk with them and appreciate their commitment to looking at this aspect of their development in their role as they step into the world as clinicians! Thanks to my colleague Shan for joining me in presenting.

As a part of growing as a clinician I have found that response art is a valuable tool in helping me work through transference and countertransference that occurs in my work as a clinician. Met with a group of professionals on Friday November 8th and had a enlightening discussion about how to incorporate making response art to clinical cases to deepen the work we do as clinicians and to build  rapport and understanding of the client's experience. 
This work is challenging but with creating response art I am able to deepen my understanding of the client and their experience and I am able to reflect more intentionally about how effective I am in my work.