Meet The Therapist: Rebecca A. Perry, LMHC, ATR

Rebecca is a licensed mental health counselor who earned her Masters degree in Art Therapy from Lesley University in 2010 and has since worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings.  Being well versed in a multitude of art mediums, Rebecca is able to utilize a combination of approaches in her art therapy work that best meets the needs of the individual. 

Clinically, Rebecca is committed to supporting the individual from a holistic point and adapting to the needs of the client.  Having worked with individuals from a wide range of settings, she is mindful of the impact of one’s environment and circumstances on both the issues at hand and how best to address them.  This could range from working in the visual arts, to music, movement, play therapy, and a variety of other approaches.  In addition, she works to empower the person to gain a sense of agency over their own life and feel confident in addressing any issues or stressors that may arise.  She specializes in trauma-informed care, LGBTQ issues, women’s/girl’s issues, depression, anxiety, and self-identity development. Rebecca is also trained in DBT. 

Question: How did you get into this field?

I can actually remember the exact moment when I realized that I wanted to pursue Art Therapy as a career. It was like a light going off and seemed like the most obvious and natural thing in the world to me to combine the two things I love most into a way of helping those around me. I was actually a little confused as to why it was not more widely known or why EVERYONE wasn’t already expressive arts in therapy. I’ve always been fascinated with human psychology and understanding why humans do the things they do, while at the same time being drawn to art as a way of exploring and processing the world around me. And if I can find a way to share that love of creating while also supporting those in need… what more could be asked of a career?

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

I tend to be pretty open in terms of how I incorporate art into my practice. Sometimes I will come to a session with an idea for a project, or if the client has something they want to experiment with then we go with that. Often, the choice to use art will be somewhat spontaneous and dependent on what is being discussed or explored in the moment. I like to tell my clients that all art (especially the visual arts) is kind of like a secret, unknown language; you can tell an entire narrative in one piece, using all different colors and shapes and whatever, but until you decide decode or translate that story, it can stay private and personal, while still shared and experienced in a different way.

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

I would love to say that I make sure to carve out time each week or even each month to spend on making my own art, but the truth is for me, living an “artful life” is more about staying present with my clients, and observing the world around me as a way of staying inspired. I of course love making my own art, but I often find that channeling the inspiration I find for making art with my clients is as meaningful as anything I might make for/by myself.