Katherine Simones, ATR-BC, LCPC
Art Therapist- Registered, Board Certified
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Art Therapist for the
Motivational Achievement Center (MAC)
What is your Education
Background?
I
earned my undergraduate Degree at University of Missouri-St. Louis and my
Master’s Degree in Art Therapy at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
How long have you worked
for the Alton School District?
I
have been an art therapist with the Alton School District since August 1995,
working out of the Motivational Achievement Center (MAC).
What interested you in
becoming an art therapist?
I
had a friend who was in counseling and began seeing an art therapist. She talked about how using art as part of her
therapy really helped. I started looking
into the field and felt there was a strong need for art and other expressive
therapies in the counseling field.
What do you like about
your job?
It
is so enjoyable to see children get excited about art. I love working with children and helping them
be more successful in school. I am
constantly amazed by how creative and insightful they can be. I see them become calmer and more focus as
they become engaged in the art process and more confident as they master an art
technique. Seeing children learn to problem solve and come up with creative solutions to their own ideas is gratifying . It is especially rewarding,
when a concept that they have struggled with becomes clear when they experience it in their art making, such as learning from mistakes.
When you do your own
art, what do you do?
I
enjoy all types of art, but clay is my favorite art media to work with. I am able to ground and express myself best
when creating with clay. My brain and
body seem to communicate better when working with clay and it brings out my
creative talents. I also enjoy painting and get excited about the wonderful,
unpredictable transparencies that watercolors create as they flow and blend
together. Blending and mixing colors is
relaxing for me and creating contrasts with colors is pleasing.
What do you enjoy doing
when you are not at work?
I
enjoy being with my family, researching genealogy, singing in my church choir
and love working with the flowers in my yard.
I am a MIZZOU and Cardinal fan and love to tail-gate with family and
friends.
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