March 22, 2018
Anais Lugo-Axtmann, LGPC, ATR is an Early Childhood Clinical Specialist with the Healthy Futures Program at the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), where she incorporates her skills as an art therapist in her interactions with children, teachers, and parents. She also leads art therapy groups for the homeless at Charlie’s Place. A proud co-founder of the Puerto Rico Art Therapy Association (PRATA) chapter, she has worked at Mind Canvas, the first Art Therapy Clinic in the island. She also volunteered with art therapy groups of Hurricanes Irma and Maria survivors in collaboration with PRATA, the Florida Art Therapy Association (FATA), and Stars of Hope in January of this year.
Art has always been an important part of Lugo-Axtmann’s life. Born and raised in a creative family in Puerto Rico, she earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (psychology and art) from the University of Puerto Rico before moving to Washington D.C. to study art therapy at The George Washington University (GWU). As a student, she interned at the G.W.U. Hospital and at Children’s National Medical Center and was awarded the Kwiatkowska prize for her research study on art therapy and asthma. Since graduating in 2014, she has practiced art therapy in a variety of settings in D.C., including: schools, a domestic violence shelter, an eating disorders clinic, home-based, community crisis intervention, and a senior assisted living residence.
To Ms. Lugo-Axtmann, art therapy is effective “because it allows us to address areas of the complexity of the person that words alone cannot reach. It gives the participant an opportunity to explore the self as a whole, and allow the healing experience through visual expression and sensory stimulation in addition to the mind.” Topics within the profession of interest to her include research, accessibility, diversity, insurance reimbursement, licensure, and awareness of field. For the future of the profession, she hopes to see “licensure in every state and territory and art therapy covered by health insurance to reach people from all backgrounds.”
“Art therapist container” by Anais Lugo-Axtmann. 2014.
Artists’ statement: “This is in honor of powerful hands that serve as a safe containers for expression. Here are my hands as roots recognizing who I am and what I bring as the container.”