November 29, 2018
Susan Jacobsen ATR-BC, LPC, focuses on prenatal bonding, infant loss, and pregnancy after loss, in her private practice, Henry’s Heart Art Therapy, named after her son who died at birth due to HELLPS syndrome. “I love being an art therapist and love sharing the creative process with others,” says Jacobsen. She has found that art therapy is often effective when other types of therapies have failed, explaining, “The whole brain way in which art making works is invaluable in treating trauma, anxiety, and various other issues that arise.” Jacobsen values her AATA membership as “a useful source of professional information, connection, and clarity of the field.”
Jacobsen earned her master’s from Emporia State University in 1991 and has practiced art therapy in a variety of settings in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Before opening her practice in Colorado Springs in 2015, she worked in inpatient and outpatient settings with children, adults, and families and in a residential treatment center for people with traumatic brain injury. A Certified SoulCollage® facilitator and a Certified Level 2 Trauma Informed Art Therapist, Jacobsen has volunteered on Critical Incident Stress Management teams.
“A Mother’s Love” by Susan Jacobsen. Oil on canvas. 2016.
Artist’s statement: “This is a painting of me and my rainbow baby boy, Jens. It was a sweet moment between a mother and infant that I needed to preserve. He is our son who was born after losing our first baby, Henry and after 2 other miscarriages. I think this image also captures the essence of the reasons I started my business.”