EXPERIENCE

I have worked as an art therapist in diverse settings: from psychiatric outpatient hospitalization programs to adolescent and youth services in non-profit organizations. Through the use of counseling and art making, I assist both adults and adolescents to develop the skills to resolve conflicts and problems, improve interpersonal skills, manage behavior and anxiety and build self-awareness. I will strive to understand which interventions can suit your unique and individual needs.

I have held a number of different clinical positions in which I have used both art therapy and the EAGALA model for Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy often times with clients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). While I have developed some highly specialized tools for PTS, I know that these tools can be adapted to help anyone coping with stress in their lives. I feel extremely privileged to be able to share these tools with clients here in the Hudson Valley.

I am currently a Registered and Board-Certified Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. In recent years, I developed curriculum for a number of different organizations introducing both art therapy and therapeutic work with horses. I still work as an independent contractor with different organizations, but I have also built my practice here since 2017.

I have over 20 years of experience with horses and I have been involved with EAGALA and the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship for almost ten years. Throughout the past five years, I have been invited to host a number of workshops connecting Equine Assisted Activities and Art Therapy. I have continuously searched for additional growth opportunities using experiential learning and psychotherapy and I have remained connected to the therapeutic equine industry and art therapy community throughout my varying job roles. 

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Registered Art Therapist, Board-Certificated (ATR-BC), Art Therapy Credentials Board, 2014

Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, New York State Dept. of Professions, 2014

Certified Master Practitioner in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, ART International, 2019

Certified Mental Health Practitioner and Equine Specialist, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association,  2012

Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, 2015

EDUCATION

MPS Art Therapy, School of Visual Arts New York, NY

BA American Studies with Studio Art Minor, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

RELATED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Alix Sugarman Art Therapy and Counseling Services, Brooklyn, NY, Red Hook, NY, Present

Psychotherapist in Private Practice

The Lone Survivor Foundation, Bolivar, TX, Part City, UT, Facilitator, May 2016 - Present, organization that restores, empowers, and                                                                   

renews hope for our wounded service members and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support, 

The Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Cold Spring, NY, 2015-16, Medicaid Program Director promoted to EAGALA and Development Director, Therapeutic center where individuals can overcome physical, psychological and emotional barriers through equine-assisted activities, both on horseback and on the ground.

Goodwill Industries STRIDES, Old Westbury, NY, 2013-15, Habilitation Specialist promoted to Program Supervisor, Off-Site Program at HorseAbility Center for Equine Facilitated Programming. Establishing Goodwill’s first Program using Horses and Art Therapy in Day Habilitation Services.

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Islandia, NY, 2011-13, Art Therapist and Equine Program Facilitator, Comprehensive therapeutic equine program that uses horses to facilitate growth learning and healing.        

ART THERAPY EXPERIENCE

The Family Center for Autism, Art Therapist, Garden City, NY, 2015.

Goodwill Industries PROS, Art Therapist, Astoria, NY, 2015. Comprehensive recovery oriented mental health program, licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health, for individuals 18 years and older with severe and persistent mental illness.

The Aaron School - Summer Program for Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, Assistant Teaching Artist, New York, NY, 2012

The Hudson Guild – General Education Diploma Program and After School Program, Art Therapy Intern, New York, NY, 2011-12

Kings Country Hospital Center – Project Access Outpatient Program, Art Therapy Intern, Brooklyn, NY, 2009-10

The Coalition for Hispanic Families – Arts and Literacy After School Program, Art Therapy Intern, Brooklyn, NY, 2009-10

WORkSHOPS and national presentations

The Horse Institute, Workshop Facilitator, Ancramdale, NY, 2018

EAGALA International Conference, Conference Presenter, Denver, CO, 2017

"Incorporating Creative Arts into your EAGALA Model Program” - Exploring case studies of veterans, couples, families and military sexual trauma survivors using art therapy and equine assisted psychotherapy

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Workshop Facilitator, Dover Plains, NY, 2016-17

EAGALA International Conference, Conference Presenter, Lexington, KY, 2016

"Introducing EAGALA Model Principles into Medicaid Funded Programming"

HorsePlay Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Workshop Facilitator, Kerhonkson, NY,  2016

Horses Healing Humans, Workshop Facilitator, Stonington, CT, 2015

SUNY Old Westbury Masters of Mental Health and Counseling Program, Old Westbury, NY, 2014

EAGALA Business Development Workshop, Workshop Attendee, Marion, NC, 2014

PATH Regional Conference, Conference Presenter, Brewster, NY, 2014

EAGALA International Conference, Conference Attendee, Mesquite, TX, 2014

EAGALA International Conference, Conference Attendee, Las Vegas, NV, 2012

The Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, OSIC, Vaulting Workshop, 2011, 2012

The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, Certified Mental Health And Equine Specialist in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Portland, ME 2012

Korben School of Holistic Horsemanship, Experiential Workshop for Therapists, The Healing Nature of Horses, Rochester, MA, 2011