Lisa Brown

I have a BA in Art Education (K-12) from William Paterson University. I taught in public school for 5 years. From there I moved into the corporate world working as a trainer/developer for the publishing industry. After having children, I entered Rutgers University completing a Masters Degree in Creative Arts Education. I have Continuing Education credits in Art Therapy, Art for at Risk Children, Creative Writing, and Educating the Creative Mind. Along with this I studied Art Therapy for 6 years and continually practice my art.

        During a long illness I found art to be so rewarding and comforting that I wanted to share it with others. I hope to direct others towards renewing their spirituality, capturing their imagination and channeling their feelings into creative endeavors. I believe that art is therapeutic and helps overcome adversity and pain.

        In 1996 I created "Art as Therapy" programs in which I direct experiences with a variety of media and methods to help students explore art by expanding their visions. I offer an extensive variety of workshops including a host of journaling with art workshops, watercolors, drawing, mixed media, pottery, photography and sculpture for adults and teach a few children’s classes.

        My first opportunity to work with cancer patients was the most enriching experience of my life and I have continued to help support patients and their families by giving them the joy of art, the benefit of my expertise and a sense of self that they can rejoice in. I lead workshops that incorporate themes specific to my support group clientele which include cancer survivors, bereavement, the brain injured groups as well as the general public. I have facilitated workshops for Pathways and Interweave in Summit along with the special programs for the Women’s Resource Center, The Wellness Center, Friends Health Connections, UMDNJ, Hunderton Medical Center and at other local hospitals and support groups. Along with creating the art work, my students have had the opportunity to display their work in “Live On Through Art” a show I curated for them.

        In 2001 I obtained a training certification in CJEA (Creative Journal Expressive Arts) in association with Lucia Capacchione, A.T.R., Ph.D. author of 13 books on Art Therapy/Journaling. Her method of using your dominant and non-dominate hand for journaling and drawing are innovative and unique and are a method that I truly believe taps into our intuition. Since then I have and continue to facilitate many programs teaching Dr. Capacchione’s methods. I am a  mentor for her programs, supervise her East Coast trainees and run regional meetings. I am an Assistant Supervisor for this program. I facilitate many workshops using Lucia’s techniques integrating my artistic flair, developing a program for her “Awakening Your Artistic Sense (Scents)” in which scents are used to provoke memories inspiring visual images. In 2010 I ran Continuing Education courses in Texas teaching Dr. Capacchione’s methods to teachers and social workers and have just completed a workbook for those who have studied Lucia’s methods which integrates my creative ideas with her exercises.

        I am also an accomplished artist mixing materials which allows me to put my emotions into a form that expresses natures beauty. I have shown and sold work in galleries in NY & NJ. I exhibited in the Surtex 2008 and 09 show for home décor licensing as well as both Overlook Hospital and Morristown Memorial.

        I am currently working on a book “Play with me” which is a combination of projects that are geared for grandparents and parents to establish new traditions with the children in their lives for closer relationships and lasting memories.

          Email: lisa@art-as-therapy.com