Art Therapy: In Process

On this episode of Art Therapy in Process, Ann Hines and Matt Brooks get real about the emotional weight of parenting, motherhood, masking, and trying to raise emotionally healthy kids while managing their own mental health. From overstimulation and mom guilt to emotional regulation, burnout, and the pressure to “do it right,” they unpack the invisible labor parents carry every day.They talk honestly about how therapists aren’t immune to overwhelm, why so many parents feel like they’re constantly performing stability, and how healing ourselves impacts the way we show up for our children. The conversation is validating, funny, chaotic, and deeply human . A reminder that perfect parenting doesn’t exist, but connection, repair, and self awareness matter more than perfection ever could.

Ann & Matt are joined by special guest Ben Earnest LMHC for a real, honest conversation about why it matters for therapists to show up authentically on social media as actual humans, not just highlight reels. They dive into the importance of male therapists in the field, breaking stigma, and creating space for more voices in mental health.Of course… it wouldn’t be this podcast without a little ADHD chaos, life tangents, and some laughs along the way

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 life feels all over the place. Honest, relatable, and a little scattered in the best way, this one captures the heart of being a therapist and a human.

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 thoughts, tired brain tangents, and the kind of honest, slightly chaotic conversation that happens when therapists are very real humans at the end of it all.

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 childhood photos.And because no episode would be complete without it a little random chaos, Ann and Matt chat about why so many therapists love psychological thrillers and murder mysteries? Is it curiosity about human behavior, emotional processing after a long day, or something else entirely?Expect creativity, nostalgia, and a few laughs along the way

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 they cope with the demands of their profession. If you're a therapist or interested in mental health, this episode covers insights into the importance of connection and community in the counseling profession.

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 school-based work and touch on ethical considerations around art shows and the public display of client artwork.

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 the nervous system, support emotional expression, and build resilience when the world feels overwhelming.This episode is a reminder that steadiness is built and creativity is not extra, it’s essential.

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 done when your brain is not cooperating. Expect laughs, honesty, and a few takeaways you’ll want to try this week.

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 the role creativity plays in healing. We also dig into the differences between art therapy training, licensure, and professional identity in the UK versus the US highlighting what we can learn from each other as a global art therapy community.

Send us a textTherapists 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 textAnn and Matt sit down with their first guest, Christopher Morrison, a licensed professional counselor and board-certified music therapist, to talk about what it really means to “show up” as a therapist both online and offline.Together they dive into the realities of being a therapist on social media, finding the balance between public presence and personal privacy, and how our human side naturally shows up in the work we do every day.It’s an honest, thoughtful, and funny look at how therapists navigate connection, creativity, and authenticity in the digital age.Support the show