October 12, 2017
Katie Veys, MA, PLPC graduated in 2016 from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville and is currently working towards her ATR and LPC under supervision. Through her position with St. Louis City and County for Family Forward, she provides in-home art therapy for individuals and families facing barriers preventing them from moving forward to self-sufficiency and sustainability. She also works part-time with other organizations that support individuals with developmental disabilities to identify and develop their creative voices. Ms. Veys is a member of the Missouri chapter and hopes to serve as treasurer in the upcoming year.
Before graduate school, Ms. Veys worked with AmeriCorps for three years, one of which she spent along the Gulf Coast during the recovery of Hurricane Katrina. She recalls, “While there, I was able to volunteer alongside art therapists and witness the impact and healing power that art had on individuals who had experienced intense trauma.” Veys continues, “From that point on, I knew that art therapy was a powerful and innovative field for growth and healing, and I wanted to contribute to it.”
In the future, Veys hopes to see increased accessibility to services and diversity within the field. She says, “The future of art therapy should include the exploration of new techniques that challenge traditional concepts of ability and normativity, creating more opportunities for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds access to the discipline.”
What Dignity Looks Like From Here” by Katie Veys. 2015. Mixed media.