Rebecca Irmen (She/Her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Board Certified Art Therapist. She entered the field of mental health after receiving her Master’s degree from Mount Mary University in 2007. Rebecca believes that the use of art in therapy can be a powerful tool to express thoughts and feelings that sometimes are difficult to verbalize, and help to make sense of your worries, sadness, and struggles while also exploring your visions, goals, and dreams.
Rebecca volunteered as an art therapist at the Depke Juvenile Complex Center in Lake County, IL, and worked extensively within the therapeutic school setting. She worked as an Art Therapist at New Connections Academy, a therapeutic day school for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, as well as at South Campus, a therapeutic school supporting children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. During her many years working in special education, Rebecca has provided counseling and art therapy services to individuals, facilitated many art therapy groups with children and adolescents, created public murals with the students to gain a feeling of connectedness within the community, and lead parent support groups to help introduce and incorporate expressive therapy into the home.
Rebecca has experience working with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Depression and those going through stressful life transitions. Rebecca was co-leader in a Saturday morning play therapy group and a girl’s group at her prior placement, New Transitions Counseling Center, promoting social skills and the development of positive peer relationships.
Rebecca’s approach emphasizes the use of art-making, along with Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to help change the thought patterns, emotions and behaviors. She helps her clients gain a better understanding of their behavior and motivations, and develops problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations. This cultivates a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities. She firmly believes in providing a safe, non-judgmental environment while allowing her clients to identify and develop their own strengths through art-based techniques. She works from a strengths-based, client centered approach, which allows for the freedom to grow and expand upon the positive areas in life.
To schedule a session with Rebecca please contact rebecca.irmen@artwelltherapycenter.com