Art, in some way or another, has always been an important part of Heather’s life. She initially began her artistic interest as a painter, which she used as a vehicle to explore the personal and social issues she wished to express as an artist. Although the stroke of the brush has been accompanied with the photographic exposure of light, Heather’s vision has matured from high school, to college, and into an accomplished artist. Heather now takes pleasure in helping others live an active, creative life as an Art Therapist.

Heather graduated from Adler Graduate School with a dual master’s in Art Therapy and Adlerian Psychotherapy in May of 2012. Heather is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) and a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist. Heather’s professional experience has helped her refine her world lens and self-perception as an artist and professional helper. Heather’s life-long interest in heritage, history, and cultural anthropology contributes to her therapeutic style.

Heather’s approach is to respectfully work at the unique pace of each client. The creative process, through visual art and storytelling, opens up the unconscious mind, cleansing emotional pain while sharing a common universal language. She helps others by offering a space that serves as a container or a witness to the client’s chronicles past and present. Helping to connect the behaviors that motivate us to balance our individual strengths and inherit capacity for good social interest is the cornerstone of Heather’s therapy approach.

Education, Trainings and Affiliations:

• Minnesota Art Therapy Association
• American Art Therapy Association
• EDMR Minnesota
• International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
• Member, Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Midwest Center for EMDR Training and Therapy
• Conflict Resolution Center – Civil Mediation Training
• Master of Arts, Psychotherapy, emphasis Art Therapy, Adler Graduate School
• Bachelor of Fine Arts, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN

Image Above, “Portrait of an Art Therapist,” Heather Matson 2010

“As an Art Therapist I feel that with every journey, whether that be my own or with a client, a new perception is brought back to my tree of knowledge. Like a crow attracted to lovely and shiny things to add to her nest. The more open I remain to learn, the more effective I become as a professional helper and artist.” – Heather

Profiles:

EMDR-MN                Psychology Today              Twin Cities Therapist              Minnesota Art Therapy Association             LinkedIn            Alternative Therapist Directory

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective