By Psychology Arts
Maggie Yowell Wilson, LMHC, RDT, REAT works at the intersection of creativity, psychology, spirituality and play to help clients heal from trauma, grief and loss, and to encourage transformation and growth in clients of all ages, from 4 to 104. Her practice is located in Kent, Washington. Prior to studying mental health counseling and drama therapy, Maggie was a lawyer for over 20 years.
What do you do? Who do you help?
I am a registered drama therapist (RDT), a registered expressive arts therapist (REAT), a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and a spiritual director. I work with all ages across the life span and am recognized by the state of Washington as a child mental health specialist (CMHS) and geriatric mental health specialist (GMHS).
I also provide clinical supervision to other mental health professionals and creative arts therapists as a Washington-approved clinical supervisor. I have worked in community mental health and inpatient settings. I am particularly drawn to working with trauma, grief and loss. Some of the evidence based practices that I utilize include cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), motivational interviewing (MI), and trauma focused CBT (TF-CBT).
I work with clients that struggle with general anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
List your favorite therapeutic tools.
As a drama and expressive arts therapist, some of my favorite tools are art supplies, puppets, scarves, masks, a sand tray, sand tray figures, story cards and SoulCollage cards.
I also love the power of imagination and play, where I can utilize an imaginary box, dig an imaginary hole, or otherwise create any scene in the moment.
What is a good course, website or book you would recommend and why?
Dr. Jane Goldberg's year long course in Expressive Arts Therapy was foundational for me. I also enjoyed her year long Advanced Expressive Arts Therapy course. I also loved my training in spiritual direction at the Haden Institute in North Carolina, particularly its emphasis on Jungian psychology and dream work.
What makes your practice unique?
I integrate drama and expressive arts therapies with evidence based practices.
What advice would you give to other
creative arts therapists?
Believe in what we do as creative arts therapists.
Advocate for our clients.
Practice self care.
Find a great supervisor.
Build your own creative life.
What is your self-care routine?
My favorite way to implement self care is to spend time with my family. I also love to swim, create art and perform in community theater or other theater productions.
List the products or items that are indispensable in your life.
I love creating little altars everywhere, so some of the things I especially love are rocks, feathers, candles, bowls of water, flowers, moss and other natural items. I also value my art supplies and my SoulCollage cards.
Who influences your work and why?
I wrote a paper about Carl Jung when I was in the 7th grade. His work inspired me to pursue a calling as a mental health counselor and creative arts therapist. I am also influenced by Francine Shapiro, Marsha Linehan, Carl Rogers, Jacob Moreno, Augusto Boal, Bobbi Kidder, Robert Landy, Pema Chodron, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine and my supervisors, peers and clients who have inspired me through the years with their wisdom and insight.
Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
Visit my website at www.maggieyowellwilson.com
Want to Get Interviewed?
We help Creative Arts Therapists build their practice, grow as professionals and provide essential resources AND publish Interviews and Blog Posts by Creative Arts Therapists just like YOU!
Build awareness
Drive traffic
Build trust
Gain attention
Get known
Reach another audience
Generate buzz
Boost your searchability (SEO)
