Meet our Team
Amy Barr, (lp) LCAT
Clinician, Therapist
Creative & Expressive Arts Therapist
Utilizing art therapy techniques and psychotherapeutic insight, Amy helps clients address and explore an array of challenges, from trauma, emotional problems, and relationship difficulties to chronic illness, the end of life, or even the prospect of incarceration. She has worked at Rikers Island, Alzheimer’s treatment centers, and everywhere in between.
Amy believes in the transformative power of art, especially when joined with empathetic insight and conversation. On her therapeutic approach, time devoted to making art versus time devoted to discussion varies based on clients’ needs and wants. But drawing and dialogue, the visual and the verbal, always go hand-in-hand. This approach is particularly helpful for patients confronting issues that are otherwise difficult to explain or discuss.
Both art-lovers and skeptics alike are welcome. No special skills are needed to profit from art therapy — just the courage to engage in creative, honest expression.
Amy Barr received her master’s degree in art therapy from the Pratt Institute in New York - Cum Laude Honors
Pronouns: She/her/hers
AREAS OF FOCUS & EXPERTISE
Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, narcissistic)
Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders
Existential Crisis, Identity work
Mood Disorders, Depressive Disorders
Gender Dysphoria, Gender related issues, Trans-specific Care
Grief & Loss
Interpersonal / Inter-relational conflict
Life Transitions, Adjustment difficulties
Self-esteem / self-worth related issues
Toxic Shame related issues, shame spirals
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive & Related Disorders
Trauma & Stressor-related Disorders
THERAPY APPROACHES
Attachment-based Therapies
Psychodynamic, humanistic and relational approach
Trauma- informed Expressive Art Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Psychoanalytic Frameworks
SPECIFIC POPULATIONS SERVED
Children age 5-18
Young adults 18+
Aged and Disbaled (65+)
LGBTQIA+, GNC/NB, Trans
Any race, gender, religion, or political affiliation welcome
REVIEWS
"Amy is well beyond her years in terms of Clinical expertise in areas of Creative Arts Therapy. She offers a Humanistic, Relational, and Trauma-informed approach that supports clients from all walks of life. Highly recommended!"
-Anonymous
“Amy is a gifted therapist who brings a rare combination of humility and intellect to her work. She possesses a sophistication and depth beyond her years and has provided outstanding collaborative care to the patients we share. I recommend her without reservation.”
-Dr. Warden Prescott, PhD
Amy quickly jumps in when a client needs support and is able to identify what support is needed effectively. Working with a wide range of patients she demonstrates great empathy for all of our group members no matter their level of ability. Amy is an exceptionally empathetic professional whose candor and humor builds great trust with those she in her care.
-Annie Hyuk, LCAT
Work Experience
Art Therapist - Principium Psychiatry-New York, NY
Run weekly art therapy and wellness groups. (Virtual)
Coordinator (part-time Volunteer)
Collective Focus-Brooklyn NY
Provide emotional support and distribute clothing/food to homeless population
Plan and conduct fund-raising for organization
Plan community events
Art Specialist - Community Mediation Services-Far Rockaway, NY
Art Therapist (part Time) - Wellness Counseling Services-Brooklyn NY
Provide trauma-informed individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults
Program Instructor - Upward Bound-Newark NJ
Summer programming
Run art therapy groups for at-risk urban high school students striving to become first in their families to graduate high school and attend college
Support pre-college ESL program
Evaluate and manage emergent emotional or social issues
Recreation Coordinator - The Delaney of Bridgewater-Bridgewater NJ
Plan and deliver therapeutic recreational activities in memory care and assisted living environments
Work in both individual and group settings
Lead arts, yoga and other activities for seniors at varying levels of physical and mental capacity
Art Therapist - Youth Justice Network-Brooklyn, NY
Providing regular and as-needed treatment to young adult clients struggling with anxiety, depression, impaired self-image and environmental deprivation
Working flexibly to overcome suspicion and guardedness to form genuine therapeutic partnerships
Contributing to case conferences and working in tandem with treatment team to provide overall effective therapeutic support
Co-led weekly group mural-making project focused on collaboration and self-expression
Art Therapy (Intern) - The Actors Fund-Manhattan, NY
Managed independent case load of individual senior clients (65+) struggling with depression and loss
Led group therapy for grief, as well as art-based activity groups focused on social interaction and self-esteem
Initiated and led book group, helped manage interdisciplinary case loads
Academic Counselor (Intern) - Upward Bound-Newark, NJ
Provide individual and group counseling and academic advisement
Senior Services/Lifelong - Art Therapy (Volunteer) Montclair NJ
Design and deliver art therapy group activities for seniors
Therapeutic Aide (Volunteer) - Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (Pillar Care Continuum) Livingston NJ
Provide one-on-one support for children and adolescents dealing with cerebral palsy
Education
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY, US
September 2019 to May 2021Bachelor's in Illustration
School of Visual Arts - New York, NY, US