Hey! Glad you made it.
My name is Katrina Van Strien (LMHCA, ATR-P). I’m an artist, art therapist & counselor who is trained in EMDR. I work with tweens, teens, college-aged folks, and women both in Tacoma and all over Washington State with art therapy online.
About
As a biracial (Filipina/white) female and practicing Christian, I know firsthand what it’s like to navigate cultural and spiritual identity issues. My lived experience allows me to connect deeply with clients facing anxiety-inducing challenges and function as an ally. I understand that you have been shaped by countless influences and experiences, and I strive to honor the complexities of your story.
When I’m not trying to keep my plants alive, you can find me sketching or writing in a cute coffeeshop, talking about how great Priuses are with my spouse, or scouring library shelves for colorful graphic novels and Asian cookbooks.
Therapy style ✨
Both art therapy and walk-and-talk therapy begin by unpacking the distress-inducing experiences causing distress in your life. Understanding both your past and present is crucial, but we will also focus significantly on who you aspire to be and where you want to go. We will aim to enhance your self-awareness and develop practical skills tailored to your needs.
Through our collaboration, I hope you'll gain the confidence to take on future challenges like a champ and begin to see the world around you in vivid color.
Education & Training
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate #MC61540457
Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-Provisional) #24-338
Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy, Antioch University Seattle
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (double major: graphic design & illustration), Northwest College of Art & Design
Attachment styles & art therapy
Everyone has an “attachment style”, a deeply-embedded set of rules for love and connection.
We pick up limiting beliefs from childhood which impact the way we see ourselves and perceive the world around us. We form deep beliefs about who we are in relationships from a young age. Non-secure attachment style-related beliefs (e.g. “I must not be worthy”, “this all my fault”) extend far beyond family and romantic relationships, impacting our friendships, work, school, and even spending habits. The cool thing is, attachment styles are not engraved into our souls — we can recondition harmful patterns, heal, and become securely attached!
Listen to more on attachment styles here if you want to hear more.
Attachment Styles
Art therapy and Attachment are a match made in heaven.
With art therapy, you can draw/paint/sculpt your story in a way that is meaningful for you, even if others don’t understand. You don’t have to verbalize all your deepest traumas, art and images can often do the hard work of communication for you.
While making art in session opens a door (and a break for neurodivergent folks & anyone else who doesn’t enjoy locking eyes for long periods of time), using attachment theory as the framework can help individuals understand how their past impacted their present and could harm their future if they don’t begin to implement some new behaviors. Attachment is basically at the core of everything and anything relational—including the relationship you have with yourself. And that’s something I love about attachment styles, they can be changed. You’re not doomed to be “insecurely attached” forever. You *can* change and you can do it while having fun.
🎉 Art therapy can be a valuable tool for exploring emotions and experiences in a creative and engaging way. Through the use of various art materials and techniques, individuals can express themselves in a fun and non-verbal manner, promoting self-discovery and personal growth. If you're looking to add some excitement and enjoyment to your therapeutic journey, art therapy might be just what you need!