The following is an Interview with Carol Olson of Richmond Virginia, She has been an Art Therapist since 1992. Carol currently practices at the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, in Fredericksburg, where she is the Executive and Clinical Director.

Q: What drew you to the field of art therapy and now that you are in it, what is something that you enjoy about being an art therapist?

A:I am an artist and enjoy working with people. I was directed to the field while I was in art school at Virginia Commonwealth University. I did an independent study in art therapy, interviewed art therapists and did an internship. After that, I was hooked and transferred to psychology to get the beginning credits I needed. I find the field of art therapy always fascinating and a wonderful way to work with individuals, families, children and adults.

Q: Tell us about your education and training, including the school(s) you attended.
A:I received a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a M.A. in Art Therapy from George Washington University, and a M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University. I have taken additional graduate classes at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Q: How would you describe your theoretical orientation?
A:I utilize more than one depending on the needs of the client. I often work with client centered and motivational therapy with people recovering from addiction. This practice combines aspects of cognitive behavioral therapies. I utilize trauma-informed practices that include narrative therapy, again client centered, some cognitive behavioral and some psychodynamic, also motivational enhancement therapy for those with domestic violence histories in long-term relationships) for those recovering from interpersonal violence. I utilize family systems therapy when working with families seeking reintegration following separation/divorce or combining families.

Q: What settings have you worked in over the course of your career? What expertise have you developed over your career in regards to population and/or psychological issues? Why did you choose to focus on this/these area(s) or did it choose you?
A: I initially started out in child/adolescent mental health (inpatient and outpatient) and medical trauma (survivors of cancer). I have also worked with adult mental health inpatient and outpatient clinics. I worked for several years with elderly with dementia in both community settings and residential settings. In both California and Virginia I worked extensively in addiction recovery (and co-occurring medical issues such as HIV, Hepatitis A,B,C, HPV, etc, and chronic mental illness). I also have worked extensively in sexually violent crimes with all ages. Sexual violence/abuse is my specialty area currently with co-occurring additive disorders and mental illness. This focus area appeared to chose me. It ran as a theme in all my work in different areas, always bringing me back to violence.

Q: What advice do you have for prospective students and new professionals?
A:Prepare to spend your time educating the community about art therapy, learn how to market yourself, learn how to incorporate art therapy into any location, always seek supervision, always seek opportunities to learn. I feel that doing this has helped me remain employed in very interesting settings, has helped me always grow in my work, and helped me improve my skills.

Q: How would you like to see the field or profession evolve in the coming years?
A: I believe we are a specialty of our own and would like to see more attention being paid to that instead of the drift of just being a clever trick of therapy.

Q: What is one challenge you have experienced or witnessed in being an art therapist?
A:The odd competition that seems to come from other mental health specialties is one challenge I have found. While I feel that is unnecessary, I have encountered many providers in other mental health specialties who seem to feel the need to “do art therapy” and I wonder why they just didn’t get a degree in art therapy then.

Q: Tell us about your self-care strategies or philosophy.
A: I have always done art in some form. I have a history of painting, visual journaling, bookmaking and clay work. Since 2006 I have taken up knitting and knit quite a bit now. I find knitting particularly helpful following stressful days, and keeps me connected to a group of friends for regular connection. I also do art days with some of my friends, always keeping creative energy as part of my life. I do wish I exercised more, the one thing I feel is lacking.

Q: Tell us your thoughts on professional identity of the field and whether or not art therapists should have our own state licensure or join in state licensure under other titles. Please also comment on the state of art therapy community in Virginia.

A:I do think that if we are going to pursue ourselves as a separate field than we should go for title protection and state licensure. I feel that my skills as an art therapist are unique enough to warrant a separate specialty and worth licensure.

Q: What would an ideal workshop or conference provide for you in regards to content, format, or experience?
A: I think a rotating focus on different specialties, populations, etc would be nice as art therapists work in so many different focus areas.

Q: What is one life motto that you value?

A: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”