Art Therapy: In Process

This week, Ann and Matt are joined by Julia Toal for a real, grounded conversation about the weight of life, current events, the emotional load we all carry, and how it shows up for both therapists and clients. Together, they explore the creative tools they lean on in sessions and in their own lives to process, regulate, and stay connected when things feel overwhelming. And because no conversation...

Ann & Matt take a real life, unfiltered dive into what it actually looks like to be therapists navigating the same chaos as everyone else. From AI and how it’s shaping expectations, to parenting, divorce, and the very human need for control, this episode weaves through it all. Along the way, they explore how art becomes a powerful tool for grounding, expression, and shared connection even when...

In this episode Ann and Matt share the artwork and artists that inspire them, how being parents shapes the way they see creativity, and why superheroes resonate so deeply from a psychological lens. From identity and resilience to the stories we carry, it’s a mix of art, real life, and the meaning we find in both

In this episode, Ann and Matt unpack the gap between client expectations and the real, often messy process of therapy especially in a world shaped by AI and social media. From “quick fix” mindsets to curated online narratives, we explore how these influences show up in the therapy room and what it means for both clients and clinicians. Also… it’s been a long day. So you’ll get plenty of unfiltered...

We’re diving into all things community in this episode how it’s supported us, inspired us, and helped bring Moon Magic to life. We share our appreciation for the art therapy world and get real about building a private practice that feels authentic and sustainable. Tune in for ideas on networking, local partnerships, and creative ways to connect with the people you’re meant to serve.

In this episode, Ann and Matt share some of their goto art directives for both individual and group sessions, creative prompts they return to again and again because they help clients explore feelings, build insight, and express themselves in meaningful ways. They also talk about their own creative processes, what helps them reconnect with creativity, and take a little walk down memory lane with c...

In this episode, Ann and Matt talk about the balance between being human and maintaining strong professional boundaries as therapists. They explore how personality, lived experience, humor, and authenticity can actually strengthen therapeutic relationships when used thoughtfully. At the same time, they unpack the importance of staying grounded in ethical practice and clear boundaries so the work r...

Join Matt with special guest Emily Schlosberg and Medora Frazier as they discuss how therapists cope with professional isolation and the importance of peer support in mental health practice. In the world of therapy, counselors often face a unique set of challenges that can lead to feelings of isolation. Medora and Emily share their journeys into the field, the isolation they encounter, and how the...

Ann and Matt get painfully honest about the realities of being therapists navigating insurance panels, self-pay rates, and the constant mental math of survival in private practice. They talk burnout, boundaries, and the emotional toll of trying to do ethical, meaningful work in a broken system while also daydreaming about building a model magic castle and collectively screaming into the void. Equa...

Ann and Matt chat with guest Sophie Restall, ATR-P, AMFT, APCC, to unpack what it really looks like to introduce creative tools to other mental health professionals. This conversation focuses on scope of practice, ethical boundaries, and how art therapists can support creative expression by other therapists without misrepresenting or diluting the role of art therapy. We also swap stories from scho...

As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, we explore why therapy remains deeply and uniquely human. We talk openly about what’s helping us cope as therapists right now, how creativity supports regulation, and why human connection still matters. We also share the heart behind Moon Magic, our new children’s book, and how it grew from the same values that guide our clinical work.

In this episode, Ann and Matt explore what it means to be a therapist during a politically heavy and emotionally charged time. They talk honestly about the weight many clients are carrying, the impact on clinicians, and how to hold ethical, grounded, compassionate space without bypassing reality or burning out. The conversation highlights how creativity and art-based processes can help regulate th...

In this episode, Ann & Matt are  talking about unexpected coping skills, Pittsburgh comfort traditions, and what therapy can look like when it happens through a screen. They chat about video games as a surprisingly positive coping skill, the iconic Pittsburgh fish fry scene, and what Covid taught us about adapting personally and professionally.  Plus, they dive into a few mailbag questions, in...

In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Tara Saunders AT-R, LPC for a fun, real-life conversation about the ups, downs, and unexpected adventures of running a private practice. We talk boundaries, balancing the business side of therapy, and the very relatable struggle of staying on top of notes….plus Tara shares some hilarious (and actually helpful) therapist “tricks” for getting things don...

In this episode, Ann and Matt are a little all over the place because honestly, life is too. They dive into the invisible load carried by primary parents, the mental tabs that never seem to close, and what it’s like to hold everyone else while trying not to drop yourself. It’s a thoughtful, relatable conversation that mirrors real life: layered, imperfect, and grounded in shared experience.

In this episode of Art Therapy in Process, we’re joined by Lucy Baker, an art therapy student from the UK, for a thoughtful conversation on nature-based therapy, creative practice, and how art therapy looks both similar and different across the pond. Together, we explore Lucy’s work integrating nature and the outdoors into therapeutic practice, how environment shapes regulation and connection, and...

What happens when the therapy room meets real life? In this episode, we unpack the grey areas therapists navigate every day like gift giving, self-disclosure, running into clients in the wild, and what it’s actually like to date as a therapist. This episode goes a little off the rails….in the best way? It’s honest, reflective, funny, and deeply human. No perfect answers, just real talk about navig...

Send us a text This week on Art Therapy in Process , we’re talking therapists’ favorite things from fidgets we actually use, to art supplies we swear by, to comfort items that somehow regulate everyone in the room. Somewhere along the way…we may have accidentally created a holiday shopping list…. and exposed the underground Pittsburgh Plant Trade.  Support the show

Send us a text It’s that time of year when therapists are holding space, dodging holiday chaos, and apparently tracking full moon energy like weather reports. We talk about what it’s really like being a therapist around the holidays, the emotional weirdness of moon cycles, and the therapy animals who somehow keep us grounded. A little humor, a little magic, and a lot of real talk. Support the show

Send us a text In this “mailbag” episode, we attempt to answer your questions… but quickly detour into talking about Pittsburgh pride, childhood nostalgia, and of course Mr. Rogers. Consider this your cozy, hometown-flavored chat about community, kindness, creative roots, and why Pittsburgh just hits different. Support the show

Send us a text A candid conversation with Tracy Weitkamp, LCPAT on what art therapy really looks like across settings, and all the things grad school didn’t prepare us for. We unpack how therapists react (or don’t) in sessions and in life, and the very human side of doing this work. Support the show

Send us a text Navigating friendships as adults is…. an adventure. In this episode, we dive into how relationships shift over time, how boundaries deepen connection, and what friendship looks like for therapists in and out of the therapy room. Add in a little Gen X and millennial humor and some gentle chaos and you’ve got Art Therapy in Process at its finest. Support the show

Send us a text In this episode, Ann and Matt sit down with artist and art therapist Sara Roizen, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, to explore what happens when creative practice moves beyond the studio walls. From clinical work to community-based art groups, Sara shares insights on connection, process, and the power of group creativity. And yes, they also talk about Grape Nuts…. because nourishment comes in many...

Send us a text Therapists tell ghost stories…. kind of. Ann and Matt swap tales from inpatient units, share community mental health horrors, and find the humor in the haunting parts of the job. Therapy gets spooky (and silly) in this Halloween episode of Art Therapy in Process. Support the show

Send us a text This week, we dive into what it’s like to live inside a therapist’s brain: balancing parenting, creative expression, and emotional awareness all at once. Ann and Matt explore how personal art supports their growth as therapists and humans, the parallels between raising kids and holding space for clients, and why even the Muppets have something to teach us about emotional depth and h...