Author name: Yvonne Gilbert, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Yvonne Gilbert, MSW, LCSW, Board Certified Diplomate, CC-ATODSW, RATR, LCAS, CCS is a seasoned clinician with over 45 years of experience integrating Clinical Art Psychotherapy into her work with diverse populations—including children with complex trauma, individuals with chronic mental illness, and incarcerated adults. Following a life-changing personal transition and with five children to support, she entered the mental health field through a groundbreaking pilot program in Art Therapy at Central Islip Psychiatric Center. There, she was mentored by professionals trained under the early pioneers of Psychiatric Art Therapy in Sonoma, California. This pivotal experience became what she describes as “a beautiful marriage of my creative mind and analytic mind,” and ignited a lifelong passion for exploring the healing power of art. Her dissertation, Journey Into the Human Psyche Using Clinical Art Psychotherapy, reflected her growing dedication to the modality. A passionate educator, she has presented trainings on Clinical Art Psychotherapy to social workers, teachers, and mental health professionals, emphasizing both its transformative power and the caution required for its ethical use. Her mission remains to empower others to incorporate this dynamic approach into their work—responsibly, creatively, and with compassion.