Abby Ransom, LMHC, ATR
In person and telehealth
““Art therapy is for all, stick figures are welcomed anytime”
”
Hello, I’m Abby, an independently licensed mental health counselor and registered art therapist. I received a MA in Counseling and Art Therapy from Adler University in Chicago.
My passion and knowledge of creative mediums augment to the traditional counseling space by offering clients a unique perspective to their individual experiences. Art therapy is a form of communication that seeks to create meaning through the utilization of spoken and unspoken words. It is beneficial for individuals who may struggle to verbalize their experience due to developmental capacities or otherwise.
In my practice, I aim to enrich the lives of my clients and promote balance by encouraging the exploration and connection of mind, body, and creative processes. While art therapy is central to my work, I utilize a variety of other techniques and theories to best support an individual’s treatment goals and meet clients where they are presently. Some of these approaches include narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), somatic therapy, trauma-informed, and person-centered considerations.
I have 4 years of graduate and professional level experience providing mental health and art therapy services in a variety of mental health settings, including: outpatient, telehealth, intensive outpatient, partial-hospitalization, and inpatient programs both as individual and group care.
Why Abby?
Ages 5+
Adolescence
Young Adults
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Trauma
Specialities
My response to those who are apprehensive about art making is, “Creating is not a requirement of our sessions. I encourage clients to have a willingness to engage in a new experience that may take them pleasantly by surprise. Art therapy taps into our creative processes and helps to facilitate communication of underlying thoughts, feelings, and memories that we may have difficulty verbalizing. Art is not merely something pretty to be hung on the walls; it is reflective, therapeutic, hopeful, and meaningful. When we are here, we create in a safe space, free of judgment. There is no formal experience required as we focus on the process and purpose of creation over the final product. So do what you think is your “worst…” stick figures are welcomed anytime.”
Therapies offered: art and expressive therapy, somatic therapy, person-centered, trauma-informed care