Meet & Greet Your Peers: March Art Therapist Spotlight!

Getting to know ANDREW ELMAN, our art therapist in the spotlight for March, 2017!

Name: Andrew Elman

When and where did you receive your degree?
I received a master’s in psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Chatsworth, CA in 2005. This is a dual program of Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy.

What drew you to the field?
I was an elementary school teacher in my previous career. That turned into specializing in art and I taught art for several years. I really enjoyed working with children and their families. Eventually I decided to combine my interests of working with families and making art.

What kind of work are you doing currently? (location, type of client, etc)
I am a counselor at the North Carolina Central University Student Health and Counseling Center. I am also in private practice in Chapel Hill where I see individuals, couples, and families addressing all client’s needs in psychotherapy. I am trained in EMDR and DBT. I often incorporate art therapy and DBT with my clients. I am hoping to start a Creative Mindfulness group soon. This group will focus on DBT skills and expressive therapy.

I have been able to start an expressive therapy group at NCCU. This group meets weekly and we hold our meetings in the Fine Arts building on campus. We enjoy addressing different topics and issues and expressing ideas through art.

Are you creating your own art? Favorite media? Inspiration?
I do enjoy landscape painting but I have gotten away from my painting practice. I would like to get back to it someday. The Blue Ridge Mountains are true source of inspiration. We visit Asheville often and I like to see the local artists work there.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I have 2 children, ages 1 and 7. They are quite a joy and we have no problem filling our free time with things to enrich their lives.

What are your hopes for art therapy in North Carolina?
I would love for there to be an Art Therapy program at one of the universities in the Triangle. There is certainly a need.

Andrew Elman LPC ATR
http://www.therapyessential.com/
919.641.9660