Friday Feature: Tristan Ford-Hutchinson of Peachtree Art Therapy and Counseling

Tristan Ford-Hutchinson         
          Art Therapist
Peachtree Art Therapy &
            Counseling

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​It's time for another Friday Feature! I am thrilled to interview Art Therapist, Tristan Ford-Hutchinson. Art therapy is a unique way that youth can work through issues in their lives, deal with anxiety, and even develop social skills. Tristan explained that many people, youth especially, may find art therapy to be more beneficial than traditional talk therapy, because of the common ground it brings as a "natural language for young people." She works with an amazing group at Peachtree Art Therapy and Counseling. Her skill set is unique; in addition to art therapy, she also works in child-life therapy, where she guides children and teens through medical challenges. Tristan is passionate about her work and puts her clients as ease as they do fascinating art projects of all sorts, from drawing with pastels, to creating art inside of shoeboxes! I am honored to be able to be able to collaborate with her. She offers some excellent advice and insight for parents--enjoy!

Q: How do you serve the youth in our community?
A: I am an art therapist working in the Atlanta community at Peachtree Art Therapy and Counseling. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. I have been working as an art therapist with young people for the past 5 years and have enjoyed every minute of it! Children, adolescents, and young adults are an amazing group of people to work with. Youth is a time in life where there is great growth and many changes take place. So much self-discovery happens throughout our lives, but especially during the early years when our identity is still forming. As an art therapist I have the exciting job of using art making as a tool to help young people discover who they really are and help them explore some of their personal choices that affect outcomes in their life and in the lives of others.​

Q: For those who may not be familiar with art therapy, could you describe what it entails?
A: In the United States an art therapist is a master’s level mental healthcare professional who meets specific professional and educational requirements and is registered as an art therapist with the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Art therapists use therapeutic art making and the creative process to help clients in therapy explore their feelings, increase self-awareness, foster connections, reconcile emotional conflicts, manage behaviors, reduce anxiety, and develop social skills.  The overarching goal of art therapy is to help improve a person’s emotional functioning and increase their overall sense of well-being.

If you are interested in learning more about the profession of art therapy I encourage you to visit the American Art Therapy Association website.
 
Q: Could you describe your typical work day?
During a typical day I work with clients in individual, family, and group art therapy sessions. I work with clients face to face and I am also in contact with their parents and caregivers by phone and through email. I enjoy being connected with the community and raising awareness about art therapy as a profession. Because of this, I am a member of the Georgia Art Therapy Association and meet quarterly with other art therapists in the Atlanta area to discuss issues in art therapy and how we can continue to grow our field. I also attend regular meetings with other healthcare and mental healthcare providers to share ideas on how we can help our local community, each other, and share resources with community members.

Q: What advice do you have for parents?
A: My advice to parents and caregivers of adolescents is that even though raising your child during their adolescent years may seem difficult at times, remember that the adolescent years are a passing phase and this time is relatively short in the grand scheme of things. Adolescents may constantly push your boundaries and test limits that you set; these are normal developmental tasks during this time of life.  Adolescents are in an in between stage where they are not children anymore, but are also not full-fledged adults. Their brains are still developing and this is why some adolescents may experiment with risky behaviors.

​It is important to maintain an open dialogue and be honest with your teen even when communicating with them feels difficult. Even though adolescents may constantly test boundaries and limits it is important for parents and caregivers to set reasonable boundaries and limits for adolescents because even if they do not like it, setting reasonable boundaries and limits actually helps adolescents feel safe and cared for. If parents or caregivers start to feel overwhelmed while raising adolescents they should not hesitate to reach out for support. Parents and caregivers can start by talking with others in their community who are raising adolescents so that they can share common experiences. Becoming more involved in your adolescent’s school activities can also be a helpful way to maintain a healthy connection with your child and know what social activities and circles they are a part of. If parents and caregivers still feel overwhelmed and feel that they need outside support and a new perspective on their adolescent’s behavior seeking therapy for their adolescent and for themselves can be a good option. 

                                  You can learn more about Tristan Ford Hutchinson at http://www.tristanfordhutchinson.com and http://www.peachtreearttherapy.com or contact her directly by email.

Kathryn Boortz has a passion for working with youth and their families. ​She is the founder of Boortz Law, a law firm that focuses on juvenile defense.