Creative Art for STEM Staff

The goal of creative arts therapy is not dependent on the outcome of the art. Creative arts therapy is about holding, healing and accepting, in order for one to move toward leading a more fulfilling life. Join your fellow STEM staff for this in-person class! Due to COVID restrictions only 8 spots will be available per class.

This class will be led by Amber Smith, LPC and Milissa Hicks, LPC of The Creative Arts Therapy Center of Denver. Please ready their bios below.

Amber Smith, LPC

Hello, I am Amber Smith! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist (EAT) with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling (2016) from Lesley University.

My study focused on expressive arts therapy and I am trained in traditional modalities, such as CBT and person-centered talk therapy which I integrate into the EAT process in a safe and non-judgmental way. EAT is beneficial for all ages and walks of life; and I have personally helped guide children, teens, couples, families and groups to positive outcomes. EAT provides an understanding that each individual is unique and holds the creative ability within themselves to heal. I believe through creative expression one can be led through a deeper understanding of one’s self while resolving conflicts, overcoming grief, increasing self-esteem and improving relationships. Everyone has different thinking and learning styles therefore different paths to recovery and enlightenment may be needed.

Milissa Hicks, LPC

I am an art therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor who has enjoyed living and practicing as a mental health therapist in the Denver area for almost 20 years. I love working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds around emotional health, in pursuit of a life that is balanced, healthy, peaceful and fruitful. We are confronted with so many challenges in our lives, and I believe that therapy can be an integral piece to achieving inner knowledge and growth to manage these challenges and to meet and, indeed, exceed our personal potential. While I am an experienced clinician who is well informed about traditional verbal modes of psychotherapy and assessment, I am passionate about utilizing the visual arts in therapy when it makes sense: art therapy.

I earned my masters degree in art therapy in 1995 from New York University and worked in the New York City area until 2000 with people of all ages and backgrounds, in a variety of medical and mental health settings. In Colorado, I have worked extensively in mental health and academic settings with young people and their families. I have also had the privilege to become more specialized in understanding and treating trauma and have worked with adults and children in the school system individually and in art therapy groups on these themes.

https://www.creativetherapyofdenver.com/

While the purpose of this event is to promote healing and wellness, there is always the potential for any presentation or material to unknowingly create a stressor that a participant may find overwhelming. This presentation is not intended to serve as crisis intervention or to replace formal mental health services. By registering for this event, you acknowledge that if you find yourself experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you will access one of the following resources immediately:

Colorado Crisis Services

Toll-free number 1-844-493-TALK (8255) to speak to a trained professional or text TALK to 38255

National Disaster Distress Helpline

800-985-5990 Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

En Espanol/TTY/Chat available