MA, LPCC, EMDR, EXAT
(she, her)Anna Queen
Pain from the past and uncertainty about the future can make it difficult to navigate life when you feel stuck. Trauma not only impacts our thoughts but also our lived experiences that are beyond words, creating heightened emotions, disturbances, and physical reactions. Therapy offers individuals the opportunity to tap into their inner strength and resilience. Drawing from a collaborative approach, clients and I work together to co-create treatment pathways that address their distinct mental health needs. The ultimate goal is to promote a holistic well-being that addresses multiple parts of healing as opposed to solely focusing on our thoughts.
I am a certified Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapist who is trained in EMDR. Often, I draw from an integrative approach to therapy. I work with clients from a safe space that promotes curiosity, exploration, and reflection, so clients can improve their daily lives. In addition, I believe the body is an important source of information that helps us raise awareness of our internal responses, process emotions, and explore relationships. Often, I use expressive arts and creativity as a modality to facilitate emotional expression through a mind-body connection.
My professional background includes advanced training and education in trauma recovery, expressive arts, and somatic practices. I received my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Heidelberg University. Before completing my counseling graduate degree, I graduated from the University of Toledo with a Master of Arts in Sociology. Earning a graduate degree in sociology has enormously informed my work as a therapist. I deeply appreciate that each of us has distinctive lived experiences. I completed my certification in expressive arts at Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute and trained at the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies for somatic practices.
It takes courage, and it is a powerful thing to take the first step in seeking therapy! If you are looking for a safe place to explore your feelings, behaviors, and relationships while developing a collaborative therapeutic relationship, I encourage you to reach out for a free phone consultation.
Client Focus
Age
(Adults, Elders 65+)
Participants
(Individuals)
Therapy Approaches
Below is a brief overview of the therapy approaches I commonly use in my work. This overview helps clarify what these methods involve and how they may support healing and personal growth.
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A: In short, EMDR therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based practice that supports individuals in processing trauma. Unlike traditional therapy, which often relies primarily on talking about issues and symptoms, EMDR uses rapid eye movements and/or bilateral tapping to help clients process their lived experiences in the present moment (EMDR International Association, 2020).
EMDR therapy supports clients in integrating fragmented parts of traumatic memories. One important component of EMDR is the processing of implicit memories, often referred to as “muscle memories” of trauma. With higher levels of trauma or complex trauma, individuals may not recall explicit details of an event; however, their bodies, emotions, and behaviors continue to hold these experiences (implicit memories). EMDR has been shown to be effective in processing these implicit memories (Cornil & Van Limbergen, 2025).
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A: Expressive arts therapy draws from a variety of techniques to help clients explore emotions, process trauma, and connect with both their inner and external experiences (GoodTherapy, 2024). These mediums may include music, movement, theater or improvisation, journaling, storytelling, painting, dancing, and drawing (Psychology Today, 2022).
There are several benefits to using expressive arts in trauma therapy. When trauma occurs, the left side of the brain—responsible for logic, language, and sequencing—often becomes less active, while the right side of the brain, which is responsible for emotional awareness, sensory processing, and creativity, becomes more active and stores trauma memories as sensory experiences. Expressive arts approaches engage the right side of the brain, allowing trauma memories to be accessed and processed on a sensory level rather than solely through verbal discussion (Malchiodi, 2013).
Expressive arts therapy supports the processing of implicit trauma memories and lived experiences, rather than relying only on talk-based approaches commonly used in traditional CBT therapy. I often incorporate right-brain, expressive activities into my trauma and EMDR work with clients. It is also important to note that clients do not need to have artistic ability or talent for expressive arts therapy to be effective.
References:
CorCornil, L., & Van Limbergen, O. (2025). Affect-focused EMDR: Clinical strategies for working with relational trauma. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 19(0013). https://doi.org/10.34133/jemdr.0013
GoodTherapy. (2024). Expressive arts therapy. https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/expressive-arts-therapy
EMDR International Association. (2020). About EMDR therapy. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
Malchiodi, C. (2013). Creative art therapy: Brain-wise approaches to violence. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/201310/creative-art-therapy-brain-wise-approaches-violence
Psychology Today. (2022). Expressive arts therapy. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/expressive-arts-therapy