Louisa Gleichman (she/her/hers) is an art psychotherapist, who believes the therapeutic process is a partnership, and that the client is the only expert in their own lived experience. She treats people across the lifespan, and at all developmental levels, specializing in problematic substance use, anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, relational issues, trauma, self-esteem, grief and bereavement, and major life changes. She takes an intersectionality perspective, and a client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach in her work overall, while drawing from a variety of theoretical frameworks to meet each client’s individual needs.

As an art therapist, Louisa is trained not only in traditional psychotherapy techniques, assessment, and diagnosis, but also in utilizing and guiding clients through the creative process in support of mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being, self-expression, and -exploration. By integrating art-making into client care, with a focus on the process, not the product, she offers clients a way to transcend the limitations of language, should they choose to do so in their work. Louisa grounds her practice in empathy, authenticity, unconditional respect for every client, and multicultural consciousness, and is committed to cultivating therapeutic relationships that are rooted in trust, and an environment that is safe, supportive, containing, and non-judgmental—both of which she views as crucial to fostering client progress toward achieving their goals.

In addition to clinical care, Louisa is currently involved in research that focuses on exploring phantom penis sensation in TGNB people, to gain knowledge about the prevalence, and trajectory of these experiences, and their impact on the individual. The study is being carried out by a trans-led research team, and is IRB-approved. Louisa is an LGBTQIA2+ ally.

Education & Experience:

• Master of Professional Studies in Art Therapy from School of Visual Arts, NY
• Postbaccalaureate psychology education from Hunter College, NY
• Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Communication, and a Studio Art minor from Tulane University, LA
• Member of the American Art Therapy Association, and the New York Art Therapy Association
• Completed graduate research on the role of art therapy in helping adults with substance use disorder develop a learned capacity for affect self-regulation, while simultaneously addressing issues of poor early attachment

Presentations:

• Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, 2021
• Moving Trans History Forward conference, 2021

More About Louisa:

• Believes art comes in many forms, has many definitions, and doesn’t have to be ‘pretty’
• Finds great joy in dance and movement
• Had established careers in writing, and marketing before she learned of art therapy, and recognized her true calling