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Hi, I'm Catherine. I'm an Art Therapist with a passion for helping individuals facing major life transitions, such as grief and loss, pain and illness, professional burnout, and compassion fatigue. My practice is based in Nashville, and I work with clients both in person and virtually.

 

Since 2007, I have been helping clients engage in their own art making, creativity, and self-inquiry as a way to  find ease among life’s many challenges. My friends describe me as authentic, compassionate, and insightful and maybe one of the most organized people they've ever met. With these traits along with my knowledge of mental health and well-being, it is my aim to provide a welcoming, safe space for you, a place where you can be fully and completely heard as you tell your story and learn new ways to cope.

 

As a Board Certified Art Therapist and a Registered Yoga Teacher, I can guide you in art making, mindfulness, and yoga practices to help you learn simple and practical ways to: 

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• Relieve Stress

• Decrease Depression & Anxiety

• Manage Physical Pain

• Increase Self-Compassion

• Restore Energy

• Encourage Creativity

 

How do I know this? Because I have long witnessed the profound benefits of art therapy, mindfulness, and yoga for myself and others. From 2012 to 2019, I worked with Nashville’s Centennial Medical Center helping people admitted to the hospital’s services in oncology, pediatrics, bariatric and orthopedic surgery, and intensive outpatient mental health. 

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From my work at the hospital, 93% of patients reported a decrease in pain from just one session, and 95% of patients reported a decrease in their anxiety. 

 

These results come as no surprise, as I have experienced myself the benefits of creativity and a regular mindfulness and yoga practice when facing moments of grief and loss, chronic pain from surgeries, difficult life transitions, and burnout on the job. Because of this professional and personal experience, it is my mission to help you navigate this stressful time in your life and find the tools from within to leave you feeling, calm, capable, and confident in whatever situation you may be facing. 

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Credentials

ATR-BC - Board Certified Art Therapist Since 2011

RYT 200 - Registered Yoga Teacher Since 2019

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Education & Training 

MA in Art Therapy from The George Washington University 2007

Professional Training in Mindfulness with the Osher Center 2017

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Liberation Yoga 2019

Professional Training in Mindful Self-Compassion and Psychotherapy with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion 2021-2022

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Presentations & Areas of Interests

Harris, C. (2023). Connecting creativity & mindful self-compassion: An integrative approach to art therapy. AATA 2023 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, United States.

 

Harris, C. (2023). Embodying and modeling a compassionate presence: Art therapist art making in session. AATA 2023 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, United States.

 

Harris, C. & Scheinberg, P. (2022). We need mindful self-compassion: An integrative approach for therapists. AATA 2022 Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

 

Harris, C. (2021). An integrative approach to art therapy: Working with emotions using mindful self-compassion, art therapy, & yoga. TATA 2021 Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.

 

Harris, C. & Scheinberg, P. (2019). Building bridges & making connections: Road to licensure in TN. AATA 2019 Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, United States.

 

Harris, C. (2018). Art therapist art making in session: Embodying and modeling a mindful presence. TATA 2018 Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.

 

Harris, C. (2015). Mindfulness based art therapy for pain management. TATA 2015 Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.

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Publications

Harris, C. (2024). Working creatively and compassionately: Notes on starting a practice . . . and living life. In E. Mikel (ed.), The art of entreprenuership. (Expected publication 2024).

 

Scheinberg, P. & Harris, C. (2021, May 6). From art therapists to advocates: Achieving art therapy licensure in Tennessee. Art Therapy Today. https://arttherapy.org/blog-art-therapists-to-advocates-tennessee-licensure/  

 

Harris, C. (2013). The Innovative paths of trailblazers. In E. Mikel (Ed.), The art of business: A guide to creative arts therapists starting on a path to self-employment (pp. 152-154). Jessica Kingsley.

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Awards & Honors

TN Health Department, Chair of the

Inaugural Art Therapy Advisory Committee, 2022 - 2025

 

American Art Therapy Association (AATA),

Featured Member, April 2021

 

AATA, Nancy Schoebel Distinguished Legislative Service Award,

Winner 2021 & Nominee 2018

 

TN Art Therapy Association (TATA),

Governmental Affairs Co-Chair, 2017 - 2021

 

TATA, President, 2015-2016

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