Meet The Therapist: Madelene Pario, LMHC, ATR-BC

Madelene is a licensed mental health counselor, board-certified, registered art therapist, and artist with a Master's degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also works as an adjunct professor at Lesley University. In addition to children and families, Madelene also works with adolescents and adults with a diverse range of issues. Her areas of clinical expertise include: anxiety, depression, PTSD, racing thoughts, anger management, hyperactivity, bipolar disorder, group work and parenting support.

​Madelene is trained in cognitive behavioral trauma-focused therapy for children (TF-CBT), and is a Level One Certified Trauma-Informed Art Therapist. She is also trained in both DBT and EMDR, a treatment used to help with trauma and phobias.  She uses an eclectic approach, incorporating her skills in Art Therapy with Positive Psychology, Focusing, Mindfulness and DBT to treat a diverse range of issues. As an art therapist, Madelene is trained in using the arts (drawing, painting, collage, journaling, poetry, sculpture, etc) to help her clients access and express their thoughts and feelings. Often, using the creative arts can help unblock or express an issue that cannot be accessed through words, and can help a client progress in treatment. Art therapy has been proven to be especially helpful for those who have difficulty with verbal expression, and for those with a history of trauma or PTSD.

Question: How did you get into this field?

“I first heard about art therapy at a pool party! The summer before my senior year of college, I was looking ahead at getting my degree in studio art and wondering what I was going to do with it. At the party, someone mentioned that they were studying art therapy at Lesley in Boston and I was intrigued. A few days later I bought a book called "Introduction to Art Therapy by Cathy Malchiodi". It talked about the power of creative expression to heal and how sometimes "words are not enough". As an artist who personally had felt the therapeutic benefits of art-making, the book really resonated with me. I quickly started looking into graduate programs and the rest is history!”

Question: How do you incorporate the arts into your counseling practice?

“It really depends on the client! I usually start out with traditional materials like watercolor or drawing. We could also use collage, and mixed media, as well as larger, multimedia projects using art, video and music. Creative writing and poetry could also be incorporated. I try to feel out what kinds of art materials would be best for where each client is at. I use the arts to help my clients tell their story-- like a visual narrative. The arts can also be a great way for clients to look at themselves in a different way, explore the different sides of themselves and work through problems safely and creatively. It's all about using the art to stimulate the imagination, practice mindfulness and help clients to think outside the box!”

Question: What ways do you enjoy an 'artful life'?

“I think living an "artful life" is about having an open and curious mind about yourself and the world around you. It's about thinking outside of the box, and challenging yourself to learn and grow! I love enriching my time with my friends and family, trying experiences, food, and art. Nature is a place where I always feel alive and peaceful. I love to go hiking with my family, or run into the ocean nearby my house. Visiting the PEM is always a local treasure, and although I don't make gigantic paintings like I did in undergrad, I enjoy sketching at home with my two children, and creating small, mixed-media collages. Finding that perfect work/life balance isn't always easy but living artfully also means to enjoy the beauty of the present moment, and practicing self-compassion. It's a life-long journey!”