Mary Attridge, CMHC, ATR-BC, ATCS, EMDRIA-CIT
Chief Clinical Officer
Mary Attridge, CMHC, ATR-BC, ATCS, EMDRIA-CIT
I love to make sense of the mess, no matter how big or small. I am trained as an Art Therapist and, in addition, I practice as a mental health counselor. If you are coming to me as an individual or as a relationship, I view the therapeutic process as an opportunity to learn to play and gain mastery over ideas and experiences that have previously been intimidating or more. I’m privileged to be a witness and support to individuals who are working on creating meaning in difficult circumstances. Clients often remark on being surprised at the satisfaction they gain from exploring their conundrums through the modality of art. I also work collaboratively with other clinicians to support the work they are doing with their clients through short-term art therapy to facilitate “unsticking.” I am a qualified clinical supervisor for other mental health professionals and enjoy supporting other clinicians' work with clients and facilitate deepening their clinical and ethical perspectives.
My theoretical framework for understanding you and your experiences is heavily grounded in attachment and object relations theories with an understanding of the current research about the brain and the creative process. I come from a place of non-judgement, the assumption that you are inherently valuable and good, and empathy. I consider that you are not a diagnosis but the symptoms (distressing behaviors, patterns, and feelings) you are experiencing are a result of experience(s) of feeling disconnected somehow and your desire to survive. Maybe those symptoms once helped you to survive for a short time and now you would like to find a different way that could be more effective for your long-term health and well-being. We can explore these things safely using both verbal and experiential practices.
AFFILIATIONS
Nationally Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist and Art Therapy Certified Supervisor
Diplomat in Art Based Supervision, BAAT, estimated completion summer 2023
Utah Art Therapy Association, Founding President, Past
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Trained (Externship & Core Skills)
Fogel Developmental Psychology Lab, Volunteer Research Assistant and Lab Coordinator, Mother-Infant Dyad Research (past)
Gina Ogden’s 4-D Wheel
Co-founder of the Inclusive Families Conference
Safe Zone Trained
EMDRIA Credentialed and Consultant in Training
Postpartum Support International 2-Day Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Trained
MEMBERSHIPS
British Association of Art Therapists
The Association of Women in Psychology, Utah Chapter
Utah Mental Health Counselors Association
LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapists Guild
EMDRIA Utah Art Therapy Association
Trauma Informed Care Network
Trauma Resiliency Coalition
EDUCATION
Pratt Institute; Brooklyn, NY
Masters of Professional Studies in Art Therapy & Creativity Development
Albion College; Albion, MI
BFA in Fine Arts & Psychology
Mary is currently licensed to treat clients in Utah, Connecticut, and Vermont.