Callen (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. A lifelong artist, Callen’s creative journey began at a young age when she discovered the profound sense of safety and self-expression that art and dance provided her. Growing up, she often found words to be insufficient for expressing her internal experiences. It was through artistic expression that she felt truly seen, both by herself and by others. In her creative space, judgments and labels seemed to fade away, allowing her to feel she could embrace the parts of her she often tried to hide. 

Callen’s passion for understanding the human experience led her to pursue psychology in school, but she quickly realized that the field alone lacked a crucial element—creativity. This realization sparked her discovery of Art Therapy, where she found a perfect balance between her two passions. Using art became a way of bending traditional psychology in order to create spaces that challenged those pre-existing systems. 

As an artist, Callen integrates printmaking and pen and ink techniques into her work, drawing much of her inspiration from nature. She believes that the natural world holds unique wisdom, and that if we take the time to listen, we can respond back with the intention it offers to us humans. In her artwork, she uses plants and flowers as representation of care, human form, and nurturance. Callen reflects on the influence of her grandmother, an artist and avid gardener. Nature serves as a way for Callen to process grief, while also connecting back to her grandma, Anita. Through her art, Callen hopes to provide others with a sense of calm and a call back to caring for both the natural world and the people around us.