By Psychology Arts
Laura Clay, LCPC, ATR is a therapist that believes all of her clients are powerful, creative and fully able to be their best selves with some guidance and help. All of the providers at Forward Emotion are strong advocates for empowering people, especially women to heal through the use of a variety of healing methods such as art therapy, EMDR, IFS, ACT, DBT and CBT, as well as alternative methods such as Reiki and Life Coaching.
What do you do? Who do you help?
I specialize in helping people with anxiety, depression and trauma related symptoms. I also focus on women’s issues such as low self-esteem, poor body image, and stress related to life transitions such as marriage, divorce, Empty Nest Syndrome, caring for aging parents, changing relationships, sexuality, and balancing career with family. I help people work toward finding their true self, something that can get lost or feel unclear. It seems that women especially, tend to lose themselves in relationships, while raising children, or in careers. Unfortunately, our culture also imposes unhealthy expectations on women, starting at a very young age which can make us feel that we are never good enough. Another focus of mine is working with the LGBTQ+ community and also working with people who have survived an abusive relationship with a narcissist. It is a passion of mine to help my clients get back to feeling good and being happy in their own bodies and with themselves.
List your favorite therapeutic tools.
I often use the "Your Life as a Road" drawing when first starting out with my clients. This is a great way to get to know what is going on in someone's life, understand their perspective and determine goals for our work together. I like to end with the same drawing to see how much things have changed and to remind my clients how far they have come. I also use art and visualizations for clients to create coping tools such as their 'happy' or 'safe' place and a 'container' exercise. This really helps in regulating thoughts and emotions. Techniques using EMDR are my go-to as well as principles of Internal Family Systems which nicely meshes with art therapy and EMDR. Understanding symbolism and metaphor is also huge in my practice. I love to find various interpretations of images and symbols throughout a variety of sources such as Jungian Archetypes, American Indian traditions, Ancient Mythology, Dream Interpretations, worldly religions and even Tarot.
What is a good course, website or book you would recommend and why?
I really love Tamara LaPorte and her art courses because she has a fun style but also incorporates wellness and self enrichment ideas into her art.
I also love Effy Bird and her writing and courses. I like her because she is down to earth and also focused on using art to heal.
Another source I appreciate is Notes from the Universe. I like this because it focuses on positive thinking, reminding us that we are powerful human beings (something many of us need to be reminded of).
What makes your practice unique?
I believe that my practice is unique because of how I incorporate art therapy, EMDR, and IFS together, focusing on women's issues with a goal of empowerment. My practice is also an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. I also have an added focus of helping female survivors of narcissistic abuse. I believe that my personal experiences in life have helped me become a stronger therapist and that this helps to make more of an impact with those that I work with. I have dealt with many of the issues I help my clients with by experiencing art therapy, EMDR and IFS when sitting on the other side of the couch.
"I strongly believe in these approaches, not only because I was trained in them but because I was healed by them."
I feel that this makes a difference when I interact with my clients. I also strive to help my clients know that they are the experts in their own lives and I am a guide along their journey. This power shift makes a huge difference in the work I do. My group practice also offers additional types of healing, besides what I personally have to offer. Sabrina Washington practices at Forward Emotion as a Holistic Life Coach and Reiki Energy Healer who is also trained as a Dance Movement Therapist. Erica Sokol also practices at Forward Emotion as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in women's issues, eating disorders and anxiety. She is highly trained in ACT, DBT and CBT. All of Forward Emotion providers are driven to help women feel empowered.
What advice would you give to other creative arts therapists?
Keep educating others and telling people what you do. Don't be surprised if you need to repeat yourself. Better yet, show them. I think people understand more about creative art therapy when they are able to experience it firsthand. Also, be prepared to hear 'I am not creative' by many of your clients. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how much creativity they possess until they are in a safe place where they are free to express themselves.
What is your self-care routine?
Setting boundaries for myself around time is very important in order for me to allow for any kind of self-care routine. I use 'time-blocking' to work on my business. If I don't do this, I might work too much and not leave enough time for self-care. Since I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and struggle with pain quite often, I allow myself to use technology to make life easier and I try to delegate some tasks to other people that can help. I also make sure to rest and love taking naps. I spend time with my family and friends, watching TV or playing games. When I really need to re-set, I like to be alone with my cats and daydream. I create art (of course!) as another form of self-care.
List the products or items that are indispensable in your life.
Inner Active Cards for working with parts in Internal Family Systems is very helpful in understanding what parts are. I love my day planner from Freedom Mastery, based on the Law of Attraction to help me stay organized and remain focused on my goals. I also love my Rocket Book with Frixion pens which allows me to easily take notes, write to-do lists or doodle and then send it to a file online. Most of my art is made with found objects and various materials but my favorite is using broken jewelry within my pieces.
Who influences your work and why?
I was first influenced by art and psychology when I found Susan Seddon Boulet in grade school. There was something about her artwork that drew me in. I loved how she created images within images. When I was older and looked further into her work, I found out she had studied Jungian Psychology and was incorporating some of that into what she created. I see now that it connects with Internal Family Systems as well. I have often talked in 'parts' like IFS does and use this approach with clients in art therapy. As I learn more and more about IFS, I am very inspired by Richard Schwartz. With EMDR, I have done several advanced trainings with Deany Laliotis who is an amazing educator and therapist. She has taught me so many things that can be done with EMDR when there is complex trauma and a need for thinking outside of the box. She has inspired me to incorporate all of my skills together which has been very powerful in the outcomes with my clients.
Where can readers learn more about you?
Website: www.forwardemotion.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/forwardemotion/
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