Kathleen Wieting

After majoring in English with a minor in Psychology, I never  imagined I would wind up as an Art Therapist. In fact, back in  those days, I had never heard of such a career. In the mean time I  remained in my current career as a florist. The creativity of floral  arranging was enjoyable but after ten years I felt the need for a  change. A restauranteur friend asked me to join what’s formally  known as the ‘food service industry’, aka, waitressing,  bartending, managing. While this experience confirmed my  enjoyment of working with people it lacked the creative aspect I  needed.  

I then pursued initial course work for Physical Therapy and  stumbled upon the job description for Art Therapist. Once I read  the prerequisite course work for the Art Therapy graduate  programs, namely, psychology and studio art, I knew it was a  perfect fit. I needed to go back and get my studio art credits (yea,  drawing, paint, sculpting!) I attended and graduated from the  College of New Rochelle, New York. Initially I worked per diem  in a number of group homes until finding a full time position with  St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, NY. Here I worked on the  inpatient addiction unit for nine years, providing Art Therapy as  well as writing, music, and recreation to patients from the five  boroughs of New York and the tristate area. During this time I  was given the opportunity to complete course work for what New  York calls a ‘Certified Alcohol-Substance Abuse Counselor’ or  CASAC. Also, while working at SVH, I was able to become  Board Certified with the Art Therapy Credentials Board, and  licensed in New York as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. 

There was a point where I moved out of New York for the greener,  woodsier (hello ticks!) environment of Connecticut and  subsequently found employment with Silver Hill Hospital in New  Canaan, CT. That was 15 years ago, and this remains my full time  employment. I am privileged to work in every unit of the hospital  from inpatient, to residential and outpatient, as well as their  assessment program. I have implemented Art Therapy groups 

and one-on-one sessions with patients covering the gamut of  mental illness. The patients range in age from adolescents to  senior adults. And while I enjoy bringing art supplies and the  experience of creating visual art to all the patients, I admit to a  soft spot for the teenagers. 

During the time I’ve been with Silver Hill Hospital, Connecticut  has implemented the licensing for Art Therapists. I have also  continued to maintain my certification as an addictions  counselor, known in CT as CAC. 

I met Tracey and Dr. Krasner while they were involved with the  residential adolescent program at Silver Hill Hospital. During this  time Dr. Krasner generously expanded the Art Therapy program  to include a weekly visit to Silvermine Art School, so that the  adolescents could have a fuller, more in-depth art experience.  Although Dr. Krasner has moved beyond Silver Hill, this weekly,  off-campus experience is still part of the adolescent residential  program. 

In my spare time I enjoy drawing, painting, collaging,  photography and traveling. My personal photo is a fairly recent  venture to Venice with a site-seeing tour via kayak