Artist: Sherri Jacobs, MS, LMFT, MA, ATR

I am an art therapist, marriage and family therapist, and mediator. My practice, Heartland Art Therapy, is housed at InterUrban ArtHouse. I have worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. As the only clinical person in the mix of artists at InterUrban, I  am thrilled to offer mental health services in such a unique and creative setting.

People are often surprised to learn that a field such as “art therapy” is a real thing, curious about what it is, how it can be helpful, and who might benefit from it. Art therapy simply unites the creative process with psychotherapy, offering participants enhanced avenues to truly express themselves.

As we learn more about the brain and more about trauma, the ability to describe/explore/process traumatic events often cannot be accessed through verbal dialogue due to how and where unprocessed trauma is stored in the brain.  A creative intervention such as a simple art directive can help elicit understanding, and bring closure to difficult events in a person’s life. Art Therapy is a dynamic approach to truly help people heal from past trauma, current life cycle transitions, and other issues preventing them from being their best selves.

I received a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Friends University, and a master’s degree in art therapy from The University of Illinois at Chicago. I have worked for many years in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, residential treatment facilities, drug and alcohol rehab, hospitals, and many other settings. I am also a trained mediator in Johnson County, approved by the Supreme Court of Kansas.

I am a past president of the Kansas Art Therapy Association, founder/license holder of TEDxOverlandPark, cofounder of the ARTicipation program at the Epsten Gallery, and head the Art Heals program at InterUrban ArtHouse. I have served in leadership roles for many organizations in Kansas City. I am the 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the American Art Therapy Association.

Contact Information: heartlandarttherapy@gmail.com or call 913-485-2367