On Art Therapy, Change & Healing Racism: An Interview with Salina Cobbin, LMFT

The following interview was conducted in early December 2020.

Maria Elena Marquez: What inspired you to become an art therapist?

“I guess when I went into the field, I knew I would be facing lots of trauma and lots of other things to deal with. But for some reason, it never crossed my mind that I’d also be dealing with politics and how that will intersect. ”

Salina Cobbin: I was taking a creative writing course at UCLA Extension. At the time, I was interested in writing and exploring that. We would get assignments and with every assignment we did, although it was all fiction, I would see a piece of myself in my writing or a part in the story even though it wasn’t my intention [to insert myself]. I started to realize that writing truly is a form of art — and in every form of art is a piece of you. Whether you’re intending to or not, whatever you create ends up being a representation of your self — it is still a representation of your self. Soon I started to think about how cool it would be to have a studio where people are creating art and then there’s a professional that comes around to help guide you and support you. I thought I invented art therapy (laughs). And then I started Googling things and found out that it is a real practice; a real, existing profession. (laughs). I looked into it further, and I went to various orientations for grad programs. The school that I ended up going to was less than 7 minutes away from my house at the time. I thought it was all meant to be. Meant to be. That is kinda how I landed in art therapy.

Maria Elena: I love your story! So, through the creative writing process, you felt like you really could see parts of yourself. Through that viewing of your self, you were able to imagine things and you thought of a studio where people could engage in their own creative processes. 

Salina: Yeah, a place where people could express themselves freely and create art. I imagined someone trained a bit more in psychology who could guide people through self-discovery and art-making. I thought about the importance of it being a community space. I wasn’t initially thinking ‘a therapist’ necessarily…I thought I could figure this out and do it myself. But then I discovered art therapy and it clicked — “Oh, this is a real thing!”

Maria Elena: What about that initial dream of creating a community space for self-discovery do you feel like you presently hold on to?

Salina: I guess I’ve distanced myself from that idea of a community space right now because I’m looking at my goals that are right in front of my face. While working in agencies and in my own private practice, I’ve been trying to fine tuning the demographic that I want to work with… which I do feel like I’ve been able to do. Because I’m such a methodical person, once that is off the list, then I can work towards something that feels like an even bigger vision.

Maria Elena: So, you’re fine-tuning your understanding of the population that you’re most able to serve…the population that you really enjoy working with…so what does that look like — what is that population? 

Salina: In the beginning of my career, I went into it thinking that I wanted to work predominantly with at-risk youth. But I’ve learned that I work better with adults. I really like working with people of color and working on how all these different parts of your life shape your identity…whether it’s past traumas, your ethnic background, or different experiences. I think it’s this whole idea of identity that I’m noticing I gravitate towards. I think because I’m bi-racial identity has always been a topic in my life. It’s something that I really love. But also I think it’s important to understand what kind of things shape us and how they impact our relationships to others…and how you see where you fit in and where you don’t fit in.

Maria Elena: Yes, I can see parallels between what you’re saying and how I enjoy working with single Latina women who are searching for their sense of self in their careers,  their sense of self in romantic relationships, or their sense of self or adulthood with their parents. Often there’s trauma or intergenerational trauma involved. When you find that population that is such a match for your personal and professional experience, it kinda feels like home.

Salina: It’s comforting and it’s also inspiring. I feel like when I’m with the clients that are such a great match, it’s really inspiring. 

Maria Elena: Yes! Okay, let’s shift gears. How have you been taking care of yourself during this time of the COVID pandemic? I know in the beginning, I was shocked. I was terrified…it was hard to grapple with taking care of my self while also being a therapist. And I felt so isolated from my friends and family that I normally lean on for love and support. But now I’m feeling more settled. I’m wondering how that process has been for you…maybe because you’re a planner it was less of a struggle…How was it? And now how are you doing with it all compared to the beginning?

Salina: Right, yeah. In the beginning, it was very shocking. All of a sudden, we had to pick up our things and go home. We didn’t have a lot of time to plan, which, yes, planning is kinda my thing. I mostly went into a mode of trying to be very structured. Structure is comforting for me. I did find that because I was so focused on setting up new structures that I wasn’t really addressing the underlying stress and other emotions that were coming up. Instead I was focused on the structure. And when I wasn’t or couldn’t stick to the structure, then I’d get upset. I realized a lot about myself — with all this change that happens (and change that isn’t coming from myself), that it causes me a lot of stress. I’m learning a lot more about just letting things be….and learning to stop fighting against the change. It stills comes up but this stance has helped decrease some of the stress. In the beginning, it was all change, change, change…work structure change, changing work policies, going virtual. I was just like “I don’t wanna do that!” But my resistance to change was making me even more upset. Also trying to work it out first…and then it if doesn’t work, complain later. This has been a big one for me. And also trying to connect with some people…mostly with family and with one of my cousins in particular. It’s been very different though just staying at home. Learning to be bored and being okay with being bored. That’s also been big in helping me cope. I try to do exercises here and there…a little inconsistently. And accept that things are a bit of a mess right now. That was a long answer!

Salina Cobbin, LMFT

Maria Elena: What are some things that you accomplished this year that you’re proud of? I know that 2020 has been a difficult year and it’s tough to think of the good when things are so challenging and when things we had in mind for ourselves have slowed down or been interrupted…but yeah, what are you proud of?  

Salina: Becoming licensed. That was a big accomplish this year! It’s true that I don’t really focus on the good as much. On a self-care, I’ve been mindful of eating and sleeping — and regulating that stuff…and finding ways to put self-care at the forefront. I think I’m doing much better with that. Hmm..I think also trying to figure what direction I’m going into, career-wise. I was confused for awhile. And now I know what to move more and more into private practice. 

Maria Elena: I would also like us to talk about politics given that 2020 was so marked by social, cultural, and political change and upheaval. I wonder what the white person reading this might better understand from the clients (people of color) that you work with — that your clients might be hurting and yet also proud to be who they are. This feels really important. I’m not sure where to begin but what are your thoughts? 

Salina: Yeah, it does feel important. There’s a lot to say. I guess I’ll start here…I have been reading this book recently and the topic is related to the current social climate and specifically with racial injustices and the Black Lives Matter movement. It talks about this whole idea of racism and how a lot of people who don’t understand are like ”Okay we get it, just move on…Why are you still reacting this way? Why are you still hurt? Why are you continually bringing up racism?”…this idea that slavery and therefore, racism is in the past. This book was talking about how in this country, it has never really been acknowledged…it has always been something swept under the rug, which differs from Germany. In Germany, they have actually acknowledged what happened to the Jewish people during the Nazi regime. The country has taken down statues that are offensive from that era. In America, they just don’t. It feels like it’s offensive in the US to even bring up taking down a confederate statue. There was a reference in the book that spoke to therapy…when you go to therapy, a therapist isn’t gonna tell you “Forget about the past.” No - we need to address what’s happened in the past in order to make changes. You would really do some damage as a therapist if you were to deny that past for someone. I think that is happening for a lot of people. The denial is damaging — it translates to “You’re not hearing me, you’re not understanding me, and you don’t care.” It does bring up a lot of feelings for people [of color]. That’s the first thing I wanted to say.

Maria Elena: What’s the title of the book that you’ve been reading? 

Salina: It’s called Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Along with it, I was listening to the podcast that Oprah did with her. It’s very informative. 

“We need to address what’s happened in the past in order to make changes. You would really do some damage as a therapist if you were to deny that past [full of racial injustices] for someone. I think that is happening for a lot of people. The denial is damaging — it translates to ‘You’re not hearing me, you’re not understanding me, and you don’t care.’ It does bring up a lot of feelings for people [of color]. ”

Maria Elena: That’s so powerful - to give a space of healing to your clients and to allow them a space to say “My pain hasn’t been acknowledged. My ancestors’ pain hasn’t been acknowledged…and that’s why it’s still deeply embedded in me. And this country that I love and that should be free for all of us hasn’t acknowledged that.” It’s such a difficult time in our history to be a therapist but also what an honor. That’s so powerful. 

Salina: Right, absolutely. I guess when I went into the field, I knew I would be facing lots of trauma and lots of other things to deal with. But for some reason, it never crossed my mind that I’d also be dealing with politics and how that will intersect. Like you said, it is an honor. I also feel like I’m learning along with my clients. It’s nice to know that “Wow, this person feels safe enough to express this and also, thank goodness, because there aren’t many safe spaces, unfortunately, for all people without being invalidated or told that ‘Okay, we get it but….’” 

Maria Elena: Right, and sometimes even unintentionally a white therapist might feel uncomfortable and then quickly change the subject about race…and then the invalidation or denial is happening again and now with the person that I’ve told my deepest, darkest thoughts to. So, it’s amazing to see you…a woman who is an art therapist and a licensed marriage and family therapist, a woman who is bi-racial in this field. You can hold that and someone can say and be like “me too.” It might not even be said, but it is felt.

Salina: Clients will comment “I don’t have to change the way that I speak when I’m in the session with you…because it’s not coming off as threatening or slang…it’s just the way that I speak with you.” It’s pretty cool.

Maria Elena: You’re amazing! Thank you so much for talking with me today. 

---

Salina Cobbin, LMFT, is an art therapist with a private practice in Studio City. She has personal and professional experience working with identity issues that arise for multi-ethnic/multi-cultural individuals, families, and single parents. 

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual (Spanish-English) Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Brittany Kiko Reimann, LMFT. As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive arts.

Home: Mi Pulgita

This November, MHT is participating in the Miry’s List Friendsgiving Fundraising Drive. The money goes to programs that support refugee families that have been resettled in the United States. In tandem with these efforts, our clinicians are writing posts reflecting on what home means to them.

“ Aside from loving my Salvadorian heritage, my sense of home was in holding her arms and being guided by her, being reassured by her, and by the way she would so proudly introduce me as her Nieta De Los Estados Unidos to her dearest friends.”

When I was a child (from age 2 to 15), I would travel every summer to Santa Tecla in El Salvador, also known as “El Pulgarcito de Centro America” (The smallest country of Central America), to visit my maternal grandparents and extended family.

Some of my fondest memories of “Mi Pulgita” revolve around going to a local farmers market with my grandmother, Mama Elena. At the market there were various pupuseria stands and local art vendors selling crafts, handmade jewelry, and aromatic soaps. Mama Elena was an elegant woman who never left the home without earrings and lipstick, and she always showed interest in the jewelry stands. As a little foodie, I was enticed by all the delectable snacks. But nothing could compare to the delight we took in holding each other’s hands. My grandmother would smile every time my face would light up after getting my favorite treats and then sharing my gratitude in Spanglish.

I would hold onto her arm as we would walk down the long, uneven, and noisy streets of Mi Pulgarcito — these images have forever imprinted a sense of love, warmth, adventure, being seen, and home. Aside from loving my Salvadorian heritage, my sense of home was in holding her arms and being guided by her, being reassured by her, and by the way she would so proudly introduce me as her Nieta De Los Estados Unidos to her dearest friends.

For me, El Salvador evokes a sense of home and hospitality. During my stays, there was always a neighbor that I had never met before who would stop by with some warm sweet bread, delicious dish, or kind gift. The neighbor would come with open arms as if they had met me before — this feeling of being connected and cared for by a complete stranger was so powerful. I am forever grateful for all those memories of love and acceptance from neighbors, family, and family friends.

Home is where you are seen, cared for, and made to feel special.

---

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN FRIENDSGIVING WITH US:

Give! Visit our Miry’s List campaign page and make a donation. It's that simple and no sum is too small. Truly.

Follow! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and our blog throughout the month of November. We will be reflecting on what it means to be welcomed, received, and known.

Share!  Help us spread the word. You can do this by sharing our social media posts or links to our Miry’s List Friendsgiving Fundraiser page.

******

A little about Miry’s List:
Refugee families come to the United States seeking a safe haven from violence and persecution in their home countries. They leave behind family and friends, as well as virtually everything they own. Many Americans, seeing these families in their communities, wonder: What can I do to help? Miry's List provides a mechanism for people to directly help new arrival refugee families with the things that they need to get started in their new lives – from diapers to beds to cleaning supplies and toiletries. To learn more, visit miryslist.org.

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual (Spanish-English) Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Gabrielle Taylor, PhD. As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive arts.

Mi Madre: Una Mujer Valiente

Mi Madre representa Seguridad, Amor y Fuerza. 

Su Amor tiene textura como un bordado familiar.

Es tan Bella, como las Flores de su jardín. 

Mi Madre es una mujer VALIENTE, porque llego a los Estados Unidos para realizar una nueva oportunidad. Apesar de la dificultad de ser lejos de su país, familia y cultura. 

Mi Madre mantuvo su dulzura como una cocada pegada al paladar. Siempre me hace sonreír y me devuelve a mi infancia.

Mi Madre es una mujer que admiro, que aprecio, y es la relación mas compleja y estresante; aun todavía, lo mas precioso que tengo en La Vida. 

Mi Madre represents security, love and strength.

Her love has texture like my family’s embroidered blankets.

She is beautiful like her flowers blooming in the garden.

Mi Madre is a strong woman for leaving her county, culture, and family for new opportunities in the United States.

Mi Madre’s remained sweet like a Coconut Macaroon, which brings a smile to my face and sticks to the roof of my mouth. And takes me back to my childhood.

Mi Madre, is a woman I admire; am inspired by - and ours is the most complex and stressful, and yet most precious relationship that I will ever have with another human being.

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual Spanish-English Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Gabrielle Taylor, PhD. As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive arts.

Women are Victorious

“I am Victorious because I chose MYSELF and listened to my inner voice. I am a Warrior because I am fighting against the status quo. And I am Brave because I seek help when I need it.”

Photo by Even Keel Imagery - Miriam Brummel

When thinking of the phrase, Women Are Victorious, I look to my amazing tribe of friends — strong individuals who have protected me, shaped me, and helped me rise above adversity, pain, and trauma. These women (and one man) have displayed courage, inspiration, and wisdom — and that to me shows Victoriousness. I wanted to celebrate them in this piece as well as share some of my own thoughts.

You know that feeling when you get goosebumps because something resonates with you so deeply? Yep, that’s what happened to me as I was compiling these vignettes from my friends. My heart felt raw with emotion as I was filled up by their inspiring words.

*****************************************************************
Shared by Lorena: 

I smile because

I have survived everything

the world has thrown at me. 

I smile because 

when I was knocked down 

I got back up.

             -Anonymous. 

"My life has changed dramatically from broken to repaired. It took a lot of work but I did it and I'm so damn proud of myself. A year ago today, I wanted to find the nearest hole and crawl into it. The despair I felt was unbearable, the embarrassment from the betrayal on so many levels was too much to take. A year later my life is so different and it feels Fabulous!"

*****************************************************************
Shared by Taz:

"My mom is a victorious woman! I know it's cliche but she truly has turned obstacles into opportunities. And that has been inspiring to me when I've felt defeated." 
*****************************************************************
Shared by "She":

“I've suffered from the age of 4 when my father died in an accident. Soon after that tragedy, despair and sexual abuse caused great horrifying pain in my life. I found faith in Jesus, which has really kept me going, I would copy Bible verses and memorize them during that time. My teachers would help me too even though they never knew what I was going through. There were sturdy figures and their consistency helped ground me. Later in life, I found therapy to be of great help. My first therapist was an angel! She saved me in many ways I cannot put into words. I've had many therapists since, and I value the personal and spiritual growth that comes with going to therapy regularly.”

*****************************************************************
Shared by Marcos:

As I think of Victorious Women in my life, I think of two important women: 1. My little sister 2. My mother. 

My sister surpassed what many people expected, including doctors, due to her medical diagnosis. Living with fibromatosis she has shown me repeatedly how strong she is and how she does not feel defeated. Now she is a mother of a healthy baby boy. She was told she would have a complicated pregnancy and the baby would have high chances of having the illness, but what a miracle to see her and the baby thriving. When I think of her I think Warrior!! Undefeated!!

My mother - her whole life has always been tough in one way or another. But it is safe to say she's overcome - her father passing at a young age, her bad luck with husbands , and the struggles of being a single mother of three in a foreign country. She has taught me many things in life, such as integrity, hard working ethics, self-respect, and family values. To me, she means the WORLD! She reminds me of a mosaic: broken into many pieces, but a beautiful masterpiece when the light shines through and you take a step back and admire the edges, light, and color. I love her. 

****************************************************************
Shared by Nina:

I feel honored to be included.

I have had my share of struggles, including abusive relationships and being brainwashed into believing I was worthless as a Woman. Anger, resentment, and hatred used to plague me. What I have learned from my life of anger was to forgive and extend Grace on those who have hurt me including myself. I found out God loved me regardless of what I had done or what had been done to me. The security of feeling I was completely forgiven of ALL my sins give me a sense of internal freedom and rejoiced in my Christianity. 

****************************************************************

Shared by Author - Maria Elena:

What led me down this long, windy path of becoming a therapist is Victoriousness. Throughout my life, I have collapsed and have felt insecure about my sense of worth, and yet have continually chosen to stay true to myself. One such crossroad emerged in my life when I thought I had found love, but it was actually abusive, dishonest, and destructive.

Guess what I chose?

That’s right — my self, my self-respect, my dignity and my ability to rise above the falsity of that love. I was brokenhearted for 5 years after the dissolution of that relationship, but that hurt ultimately took me down a path of curiosity which ultimately helped me discover my calling.

I sought out understanding about the nature of relationships. I wondered: How do relationships last? How does one become aware of relationship ed flags? How does one heal from childhood trauma? And how do I become the best version of myself as a Latina woman? 

My mother has been my rock, my safety, my reality checker, and along the way I found other amazing women to encourage, inspire, and hold me in making the decision to start a new career. I immersed myself in my studies about relationship dynamics and connected to grow my own capacity for love. I am now an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who loves to challenge couples, individuals, and families to tune inward, to express their fears and remain curious about their rules, roles and contradictions. I am healing as my clients are healing. I am Victorious because I chose MYSELF and listened to my inner voice. I am a Warrior because I am fighting against the status quo. And I am Brave because I seek help when I need it.

Women are Victorious. As the women and man featured in this post have shown, Victoriousness is all around us. If we can face our fears with courage, reflection, or a sacred space of surrender, then often we can find a sense of freedom, pride, and creativity on the other side of adversity.

Finally, I would like to leave you with this: 

Shared by Beatriz:

Women are victorious when we unite, commune, invite, and remain curious despite fear of rejection or pain - and choosing a different path, changing the rigid holdings of the mind and allowing light to enter and creating positivity.

Shared by Rebecca:

Just like Esther, you were born for such a time as this, you came at the right time, you are not an accident, God knew you were coming and He prepared for you. Your life is for a divine purpose.  -Esther 4:14

---

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN DRESSEMBER WITH US:

Give! Visit our Dressember page and make a donation. It's that simple and no sum is too small. Truly.

Follow! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and our blog throughout the month of December. We will be documenting our fierce fashion choices but our deepest intention is to empower and educate.

Share!  Help us spread the word. You can do this by sharing our social media posts or links to our Dressember fundraising campaign page.

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual Spanish-English Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Gabrielle Taylor, PhD. As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive arts.

Slowness

“Slowness to me is the quality of pausing from deep within.”

This poetic piece is about the author's experience at a yoga and reiki sound bath. Its structure and tone is intended to parallel the sense of slowness that she is describing.

Slowness to me is the quality of pausing from deep within.

The slowness in my life comes from deep breathing, grounding and connecting to my senses through smell, sound, touch and feeling my thoughts float away as I move through postures and become enveloped in the reverberation from the singing bowls.

As my instructor leads us through a meditative practice, I find a kind voice within myself that honors the stillness in my busy day, and I begin to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to the universe.

As sage fills the air and my feet hit the mat, I take a deep breath. I let go of the day's struggles and release the tightness in my body. I notice the heat in the air and the smells in the room as more and more tension is released. I have a sense of slowing down and oneness. When my instructor guides us through a chant of gratitude, my heart swells and my feet feel firmly planted once again.

Yoga,

sound,

and meditation

bring slowness to my being. 

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual Spanish-English Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Michelle Harwell, PsyD, LMFT.  As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive art.

Humans of MHT: An Interview with Abby Wambaugh

Maria Elena: Hey Abby—how are you?

Abby: I’m good, how are you?

ME: I’m good. So, I’m interviewing you today….what does humanness mean to you?

Abby: I’ve been thinking about this in anticipation of our talk today, and after hearing what everyone else has said…I just really want to think about what does humanness mean to me specifically. And as I was thinking about it, I saw that it has two meanings for me. One is that it’s a reminder of my own work with perfectionism and that I am a human…with flaws, with things that I’m working on, and with things that I want to do differently. In some ways, it allows me to have self-compassion - to remember my own humanness and come into contact with it. And I was also thinking part of humanness is resiliency for me…that we as humans are capable of handling much more than we think we can. There’s something really beautiful about the fact that we are both flawed and imperfect…and yet sometimes even stronger than we could imagine. So, I think some combination of this self-compassion and this resiliency is what humanness means to me. 

ME: Wow, thank you so much for sharing. I feel inspired right now. So, you chose humor to represent your humanness. What does humor mean to you?

Abby: Humor has always been a way to connect with people…and in some ways a way to connect with myself. I remember when I was a kid… at the dinner table….I had this impression that I did of one of my teachers at school and my family use to request that I do the impression. And it would make everybody laugh. So, I have these really rich and vivid childhood memories of humor being a way that I could connect with people that I love and a way that I could let go of some of the stress that would carry throughout the day. And as an adult, it still continued to show up for me. I did a comedy standup set one time, and realized that I like to be more in the audience than the one up front, but it was part of this way of me engaging with humor and engaging with how much it takes a weight off of you. I think sometimes about some of the difficult things we talk about in the therapy room…and sometimes you just have to bring some humor in there. Some of the most amazing parts of sessions for me are the ones where you have these really intense moments and you also get to laugh with your client. And so I think that same type of connection and relief that humor brings is not only important to me as a human but it’s also really important to be as a therapist, and it’s something that I try to utilize a lot in the therapy room.

ME: Wow, have there been any shining moments as a clinician where you use your humor since you already said you use it clinically?

Abby: One moment that comes to mind for me was with a teenager that I used to work with who was particularly resistant to therapy, as most teenagers are (laughs). Who was really having trouble engaging with the things that she wanted to work on and with even what it meant to her to be in therapy. We started…I don’t even really remember how it started…but we started doing voices together. We would start our sessions with accents. We kinda had our “go-to” accents. Mine, because I’m from Texas originally…I like to do a good Southern accent. Sometimes we would switches into British accents. And we would have different accents that we would do. It was a way of breaking ice and way of us connecting at the beginning of the session to remind her that yes, I was her therapist, but I was also somebody sitting with her…wanting to connect with her and care about her and help make what was not going well for her better and help her find healing. That’s one silly thing that I don’t do all the time, but that definitely comes to mind for me when I think about how I’ve used humor in the past with clients.

ME: Wow, I really enjoy your spin on humor and how it helps facilitate hard conversations or even just helps to bring the human in the room. And say like, “Hey, we can laugh together, cry together, and heal together.”

Abby: What’s tricky about humor…I think I even mentioned this to you…is that it can definitely be a form of avoidance. I think we see that a lot as therapists…that someone will come in contact with a hard part of their story and will deflect with humor. I’ve definitely been guilty of that before, too. It’s one of those ways to care for self and to connect. But I’m also aware there’s a shadow side to humor…where you can use it to try to escape moments of intimacy with people. I try not to use humor in that way and I think It’s helpful to even be aware of that because it’s something that we all do sometimes. 

ME: Yeah, yes. It was really great interviewing you. I feel a little more inspired. I feel a little looser to use humor in the room with clients instead of being so serious…us art therapist are just so serious. Just kidding. (laughs).

Abby: Yes, exactly. (Laughs).

ME: Well, thank you.

Abby: Thank you. 

---

Abigail (Abby) Wambaugh, M.S., is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #94231, working under the professional supervision of Michelle Harwell, Psy.D., MFT 50732. She specializes in treating relationship difficulties, trauma, and sexual issues.

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual Spanish-English Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Michelle Harwell, PsyD, LMFT.  As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive art.

Women of Style: Frida Kahlo

“Kahlo remained curious about herself; often magically constructing her life with a brush”

Frida Kahlo is an icon. For me, she’s the embodiment of a powerful, fearless woman. Her unique self-portraits and works that depicted national struggle in Mexico have captivated audiences across the world. She was unafraid to mix fantasy and reality – and to express her vulnerability as a human being through her art.

Kahlo has profoundly affected so many threads of my life, including my own artistic expression and understanding of personal struggle. When I was a teenager, Kahlo’s surrealist style first spoke to me. I was enthralled by the paintings of her dreams, and I imagined how much courage it took for her to bring the unconscious to the surface. To this day, I am inspired by her open stance toward a full range of emotional experience.

Kahlo has also influenced my ideas about what it means to be a woman. She personified confidence and sensuality - not with nudity; rather by her strength and state of being “in between” femininity and masculinity. She modeled how one could live authentically and not conform to societal pressures.

As a “Woman of Style,” Kahlo often wore European and indigenous Mexican dresses, the details of which appeared in her artwork. The cultural dualism running through her own life experience is what made her an unforgettable artist.

Finally, Kahlo remained curious about herself; often magically constructing her life with a brush. As a Latina art therapist, I have learned how powerful it can be to stay in the metaphor of life and self expression through color, texture, fantasy, and culture. And I have learned that pain is a subjective reality in us all. She is my muse in so many ways – inspiring me to push the boundaries of self identity in a culturally dynamic and colorful way.

---

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN DRESSEMBER WITH US:

Give! Visit our Dressember page and make a donation. It's that simple and no sum is too small. Truly.

Follow! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and our blog throughout the month of December. 

Share!  Help us spread the word. You can do this by sharing our social media posts or links to our Dressember fundraising page.

---

Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual Spanish-English Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Michelle Harwell, PsyD, LMFT.  As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive art.