Leslie highlights the benefits and process of using Art Therapy in school settings. She starts by opening up about her process on writing and personal journey to finding art therapy. In the conversation, we explore the benefits of art therapy and how it can be used by professionals in the school setting.

Guest:
Leslie de Vera Arroyo. Leslie Arroyo (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a School Counseling Specialist for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She has been in the counseling and mental health field for more than 20 years. She has experience working in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities before serving as a school counselor in CPS elementary and high school settings for 14 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and went to DePaul University to obtain school counselor licensure.

In her current role, she supports school counselors in the implementation of ASCA-aligned comprehensive, data-driven, and student-centered school counseling programs. Also in this role, she is running a pilot program on the use of art therapy techniques in school counseling practices. The goal of the pilot program is to examine the impact on student learning and the development of academic and social/emotional skills that contribute to college and career readiness.

To learn more about Leslie, please visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-de-vera-arroyo-maat-lcpc-637a266/

3:40 - Concept - Writing in a Linear Process
6:50 - Quote - "Just Do The Thing"
7:15 - Concept - What's art therapy?
9:10 - Personal Story - How Leslie found art therapy
15:00 - Concept - Verbal and Other Methods for Expression and Meaning
16:30 - Research - Art Therapy for Psychosocial Problems in Children and Adolescents (Bosgraff et al., 2020)
17:55 - Research - Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making (Kaimal et al., 2016)
21:23 - Benefits of Art Therapy
21:50 - Concept - Getting Over Judgment
29:00 - Concept - De-Escalating and Accessing Emotions & Thoughts
32:20 - Concept - Benefits of Art Therapy
40:00 - Concept - Art Therapy for Retaining Professionals
49:30 - Strategy - Do What Brings You Joy
51:30 - Strategy - Utilize Your Senses
52:30 - Parent Strategy - Fostering Student Space for Exploration
56:00 - Parent Strategy - Encourage Healthy Risk Taking
61:00 - Personal Strategy - Art, Movement, Mindfulness


Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
G Mills: https://gmills.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast