Mickella Duffy-Webb

I believe therapy works best when clients feel seen, understood, and supported as whole people. As an Art Therapist grounded in person-centered practice, I approach therapy as a collaborative relationship built on trust, respect, and curiosity. My goal is to provide a non-judgemental, affirming space where children, adolescents, and adults can explore their experiences, better understand themselves, and move towards meaningful change. Art therapy is central to my work because it can help clients access thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Sometimes we know we are carrying something before we know how to explain it. Art can offer another way in- a way to express, process, and feel through what has been held inside. No art experience is necessary, the focus of art making is not on creating something perfect, but on using the process of art making as a tool for insight, expression, and healing. I have worked with clients from kindergarten through adulthood, primarily in community mental-health settings. I also previously taught first grade in Chicago Public Schools, an experience that continues to shape the way I work with children and families. That background helps me understand the emotional, social, and developmental needs of young people, as well as the stressors that parents, caregivers, educators, and adults often carry in their daily lives. Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable, and I believe it is important for clients to feel safe moving at their own pace. I work to create a space where clients can feel both accepted as they are and supported as they grow. Whether through conversation, art-making, reflection, or play, my hope is that every client feels more connected to themselves and more equipped to move through the challenges they are facing.