May 20, 2025
The American Art Therapy Association represents a diversity of professionals, students, and organizations across the nation. We recognize and celebrate the work of our members at all levels through our Featured Member series.
What excites you most about your job right now?
What excites me about my work is witnessing the profound, non-verbal power of art therapy across various populations, including those who are grieving, incarcerated youth, and individuals recovering from addiction. Art therapy enables the expression of emotions that might be too overwhelming or painful to verbalize, and it teaches new coping strategies and methods to manage stress, anger, and frustration.
Has working with a particular client group shaped your professional focus or specialty? What have you learned from working with these clients?
Working with grief groups has profoundly shaped my professional journey, leading me to specialize in grief support. As an art therapist, I initially encountered the profound and varied impacts of grief on individuals, highlighting the need for tailored support mechanisms. As my work evolved, I recognized the potential of innovative approaches to enhance therapeutic outcomes, which led me to explore virtual reality (VR) as a powerful tool in the therapeutic landscape for art therapists.
Virtual Reality’s Google Tilt Brush
What are your hopes for the future of the art therapy profession?
My hope is to see art therapy grow and expand its repertoire, not only for working with clients but also for self-care. I envision art therapists embracing research and innovative approaches, such as virtual reality art therapy, to engage tech-savvy clients and enhance therapeutic outcomes.
About Lidice Cohen, PhD(c), MPS, ATR, RCAT
Lidice Cohen is a registered art therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association and a member of the American Art Therapy Association. She holds a Master’s in Professional Studies in art therapy and Creative Development and is currently a PhD candidate in Expressive Therapies. Additionally, she is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals.
Lidice is a passionate advocate for art therapy, facilitating workshops and speaking at conferences on integrating spirituality and art therapy and the benefits of expressive therapies and trauma, both locally and internationally. Currently, her diverse clientele consists of trauma-exposed individuals, grief and loss, and youth within the correctional system, as well as neurodivergent individuals. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions to meet diverse needs.
As a published researcher, Lidice is actively involved in studying virtual reality as a medium for art therapy, contributing valuable insights to the field.
You can learn more about Lidice on her website here: www.expressionbylee.com.