Anna Richards, LMHC, ATR
“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.”
― Mary Oliver, Wild Geese
Anna Richards, LMHC, ATR graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009 and is a registered art therapist. If you don’t consider yourself an artist or don’t like making art: That’s OK! She has an eclectic approach to therapy. She has experience in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution focused therapy, attachment theory, and uses mindfulness strategies as well. She practices a client centered approach and honors each individuals unique life experiences as they navigate change and healing. She is committed to a therapeutic process that enhances each persons’ creative potential and problem solving abilities. She believes that within safe, caring, empathic and empowering relationships adults and children have the capacity to become agents of their own healing and growth.
Specializations: trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, domestic violence, sexual abuse, PTSD, family change, and relationship issues
Insurance accepted: Wellmark BCBS, Amerigroup, Iowa Total Care, United Health Care/Optum/UMR, Aetna
At this time she is accepting new clients age 18 and up. If interested in setting up an appointment call 563-468-8341 or email at anna@bluetreecounseling.org
Anna Richards, LMHC, ATR
Professional Memberships:
American Counseling Association
American Art Therapy Association
Iowa Art Therapy Association
Art + Therapy Workshop
If you are a social worker or therapist working in the helping profession chances are you’ve used art in your clinical practice. Making art can be a natural form of self-expression for kids, teens and adults. This workshop is designed to help clinicians better understand how to intentionally use art as intervention for healing. I offer full and half day trainings and am happy to tailor this training to your needs.
Objectives:
Understand how trauma impacts the brain
Learn how art making can help with self-regulation·
Learn specific creative art-based tools to use in therapy with clients
Learn how to assess the stages of child development through art making
Develop an understanding of art media and materials
Learn the language of visual art and how to assess client art
Better understand the use of metaphor in art making
Develop a client centered approach to viewing and talking about art
Understand how art can be used to heal trauma
Understand directive and non-directive approaches
Cultivate a series of directives that you will feel comfortable using in session
For more information about art therapy trainings please call 563-468-8341 or email anna@bluetreecounseling.org