ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Evie
And I'm a
board certified art therapist and
licensed mental health counselor.
My role here at The Everyday Creative is to be your guide for all things creativity. I teach creative mindset, skills, and techniques to access your innate creativity.
After years in the field as an art therapist and practicing creative skills with clients and in my own life, I understand the importance of authentic self-expression. I have had the privilege of sitting with individuals as they discover new things about themselves and the world through the creative process.
I’ve experienced the power of visual art in my own life as well. Creative expression through imagery and symbolism is a window into the subconscious mind. It is here where I discovered parts of myself hidden away - each with its lessons and guidance. I simply needed to listen, and apply the knowledge in my life.
While art making may seem insignificant, when observed, your creative practice becomes a microcosm of your existence that can be explored and extrapolated from. This discovery helped me increase my confidence, align with my values, and take control of my own life.
I stopped what I was doing, set necessary boundaries, and began a journey of creating a happy and fulfilling life. So, with the help from my sister, we put this information together to help other women do the same.
It took a while to get to this point. And by a while, I mean, YEARS.
How it all began...
Twenty(ish) years ago, my high school psychology teacher introduced our class to meditation and I was intrigued by the mystery of that experience, which I did not fully understand at the time. I was hooked and this set me down a path of learning about human behavior, human limitation, and human potential. I decided I was going to study psychology.
Although I have had a reputation of giving up on almost everything in my life, this is one thing that remained constant...through 10 years of on and off undergraduate studies, 4 colleges, 2 universities and finally 2 years at Florida State University, ultimately earning a masters degree in art therapy.
After graduation, I worked in a community mental health facility providing therapeutic services with a range of clientele; families, children, couples, and individual adults with a variety of mental and behavioral challenges, such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, relational stress, defiance, and addiction.
As a fledgling therapist, I had no idea what my therapeutic strengths and skills were, nor how to apply them. I stumbled through my first few years, doubting my abilities and trying to find my way, while doing what I could to help my clients. In the beginning it was really hard, but I stuck with it. I remember calling my mom after a long day of therapy sessions and saying…I don’t know if I can do this. During that time I oscillated between seeing potential in myself, my clients, and this career…and wanting to give up entirely.
Then I was given the opportunity to work in corrections and everything changed...
Since 2020, I have been working with adult men in prison. And everything started to make sense.
I was hired as an art therapist, so I had more time and space to focus on the creative process during sessions. I learned how to guide clients through the artmaking process and began to see the power of creative expression. I was often surprised and in awe at the knowledge and insights coming out of the work.
With each creation, the artist uncovers a piece of themselves. The finished product then provides a safe container that can be held at a distance and viewed from a different perspective revealing inner wisdom. In this way, the art then becomes a guide and a powerful catalyst for change.
I support this change process with evidenced-based approaches and theories such as of mindfulness based art therapy, research in human consciousness and human potential, positive psychology, and trauma-informed care all within a client-focused framework.
Now, with The Everyday Creative, I am turning my attention to women who want to make meaningful changes in their lives.
I believe that you are the expert on you…I’m just here to offer support in your creative process, and help cultivate an environment for authentic self-expression.
When I'm not doing the work,
you can find me...
At my local CrossFit gym…taking walks in nature…writing or drawing…spending time with my closest friends…finding water (beach, spring, river)...learning more about human existence…traveling!
