April 25, 2019
Kortney Malone, MPS, LMHC, is a Creative Arts Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Otis R. Bowen Center in Syracuse, Indiana, a community mental health center, and is pursuing her ATR credential. She works with people of all ages, often presenting with trauma and substance use. In collaboration the with the Elkhart Art League and the Elkhart County Victim’s Assistance Division at the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office, Malone developed Survive to Thrive, a series of six workshops to support those affected by sexual harassment or violence. Malone says she chose to keep the Survive to Thrive program separate from her employment so that she can “be more open and relate with others about my own personal experiences with sexual assault in my early and mid-20’s, while in undergrad and shortly after I graduated.”
Malone earned her master’s from Pratt Institute in 2013 and recalls, “Being a member of AATA in graduate school provided me with resources for support with seeking out art therapy supervisors and insurance for malpractice while being an intern.” In her practice with survivors of trauma, she combines the Expressive Therapies Continuum and sensory integration theory and witnesses how “art therapy can gainfully provide ease of mind and body when healing from trauma.”
“Ruby” from nursing home portrait series by Kortney Malone. Pastel on paper. 2004.
Artist’s statement: “As an artist, my creativity is my voice. It sustains me mentally and emotionally in my best and worst moments. Growing up and in my adulthood, I often find art is my free space in life where I can recharge and gain self-awareness, have a window into myself where I choose to be at ease or be challenged, but ultimately art making for me is a place of change to use to connect with others.”