Rebecca Irmen 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 cannot be verbalized and help you 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 and since, 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. Rebecca joined the private practice sector at New Transitions Counseling Center, where she conducted individual therapy sessions and lead a Saturday morning expressive therapy group, promoting social skills and the development of positive peer relationships.
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 enduring grief and loss.
Rebecca’s approach emphasizes the use of artmaking, along with 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; therefore, 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 client centered approach, which allows the client to lead the way towards their freedom to grow and expand upon the positive areas in life.