Q&A with Gaia Center Therapist Kaitlyn King

For folks who know little to nothing about art therapy, how would you describe what it is?

Art therapy is a broad umbrella— but my approach is really about using visual media and creativity as an access route to deeper insights and healing that are often not as accessible through the "thinking/talking" part of our brain. So in addition to the conscious mind that we can access in those ways, we can also get to more of the subconscious via art therapy, often through metaphor and symbolism. 

Many of the most impactful or transformative moments I've seen with my clients have come when they didn't start off with an intention to create any particular thing, but were able to just follow a prompt, allow something to emerge on the page, and explore its meaning together.

What kinds of people or mental health challenges benefit the most from art therapy?

I believe that pretty much anyone can benefit from art therapy, regardless of their identity or clinical issue, and certainly regardless of whether they have any experience or "skill" with art. I would say that the folks who tend to really love it are ones who have found talk therapy alone to be insufficient in getting where they want to be— and people who have a curious mind and enjoy exploring their internal world. While I work with a wide variety of people and clinical issues, some of the areas I'm particularly passionate about working with include LGBTQIA+, religious/spiritual trauma, depression, anxiety, and identity.

If someone already has a therapist, or another therapist is working with a client they think could benefit from art therapy as adjunct/complementary to their "primary therapy," what would that collaboration process with you look like?

I work with clients both as their primary therapist and sometimes in that complementary style in cases where someone or their existing therapist thinks they could really benefit from art therapy in addition to the work they are already doing. In those cases, I would communicate with the referring/primary therapist or other provider to really take a collaborative approach. In those sessions, we'll often use a mindfulness practice as a jumping off point for creating a responsive art piece, and then explore that together. I really enjoy collaborating with other clinicians.

Do you offer kinds of therapy for clients who aren't interested in art therapy?

Yes! In addition to my Masters in Art Therapy, I also have a Masters in Couples & Family Therapy, so I offer individual therapy for teens and young adults, couples therapy, and family therapy. While I will always be aware of opportunities to potentially weave in art or creative approaches, I also know that not everyone is open to that, and that's okay. Generally speaking, I work from a systemic lens, love IFS, and will be training in EMDR later this year.

Anything else we should know about you?

I'm a pop culture junkie AND also love to unplug and get out into nature (dialectical thinking, anyone?) Especially as someone new to Nashville, I love getting recommendations from folks on what to check out around town. Feel free to send them my way at kaitlyn@gaiacenter.co!