Anna Richards, LMHC, ATR

Art is a way to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. Art is a way of loving.

Anna Richards, LMHC, ATR graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009 and is a registered art therapist. She works with kids, teens and adults. She has an eclectic approach to therapy and uses many modalities. If you don’t consider yourself an artist or don’t like making art: That’s OK! She has experience in Adlerian play therapy, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution focused therapy, attachment theory, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), 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

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 with kids and adolescents 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:

  1. Understand how trauma impacts the brain

  2. Learn how art making can help with self-regulation·     

  3. Learn specific creative art-based tools to use in therapy with clients

  4. Learn how to assess the stages of child development through art making

  5. Develop an understanding of art media and materials

  6. Learn the language of visual art and how to assess client art

  7. Better understand the use of metaphor in art making

  8. Develop a client centered approach to viewing and talking about art

  9. Understand how art can be used to heal trauma

  10. Understand directive and non-directive approaches

  11. Cultivate a series of directives that you will feel comfortable using in session

For more information about art therapy trainings please call 563-46-8341 or email anna@bluetreecounseling.org