“Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk but no flowers grow.”

— Vincent van Gogh

I believe the participant is the expert on themselves.  My job is to help them explore what this means using different art methods.  Therapeutic change relies on a strong relationship, which is my first focus with a someone new. I want participants to know that they are in a safe place and that I am a support for them.  As we begin exploring different art media, I follow what the participant shows interest in and allow them to lead the process. It is important to be playful while making art and this playfulness helps in working through big feelings and difficult situations.

For participants, I hope to be a partner, advocate, guide, non-judgmental listener, coach, cheerleader, educator and more. My focus is on the needs of those I am present with in the moment.

Jamie Crayne

MS, ATR-P, LPC-IT (QTT)

Art Therapist & Licensed Professional Counselor

Growing up, I enjoyed creative activities.  I spent a lot of time drawing and making crafts and enrolled in as many art classes as my school offered.  I also spent a lot of time during the summer with my grandma, who taught me how to knit and crochet.  I earned my bachelor’s degree in art education from UW Milwaukee.  I enjoyed the experience and the wide variety of art media I had the opportunity to explore but did not feel that teaching was where I belonged.  When I began my family I was fortunate to be a stay at home mom until my sons began school.  As my sons are older and more independent, I began a new journey and attended Mount Mary University, earning a graduate degree in art therapy.

I have always felt that using my creative side has helped me through life’s difficulties and I find it easier to talk about difficult issues if I am also using my hands to make something.  Leaning on my undergrad experience and my experience as a parent, art therapy has become a passion and I hope to help others improve their lives, if even in small ways.