Kirsten Carpentier, MSW, Counselor, Artist, & Facilitator
Kirsten Carpentier, counselor, artist and visionary, believes in the power of artistic expression to
enhance self-esteem, provide a conduit to intuition and self-healing, and unite individuals within the
larger group.
She brings a breadth and depth of experience to the mission of empowering others through the healing
process of creativity.
With a master's degree in social work and a background in art literacy and education, Kirsten brings an
awareness of the larger picture to her work in the clinical setting.
As an individual and group therapist she works with populations as diverse as cancer patients, domestic violence survivors and AIDS orphans to promote and enhance self-empowerment through creative self-expression. Besides traveling to many locations in the Pacific Northwest and California, she has recently worked with adults and children in global settings as diverse as Kenya, India and Guatemala.
Kirsten believes that everyone is an artist and that individual wholeness is a foundation for societal healing. Artistic self-expression, like food, clothing and shelter, is an integral component of universal human wellbeing which:
- Supports wholeness and health
- Fulfills a need for spontaneous and authentic communication
- Integrates the right and left brain, creative and rational functions
- Speeds recovery
- Reduces stress and promotes well-being
- Enhances self-esteem
- Encourages facing fear creatively
- Honors cultural diversity
- Transcends socio-economic differences
- Fosters inclusion and promotes equality
- Highlights individual contributions within larger organizations
Continually facing her own creative struggles as an artist in several media, Kirsten brings a depth of understanding about self-criticism and worthiness. She is highly empathic and intuitive, and brings deep compassion to her work. She has training in energy psychology techniques which she uses to help reduce anxiety and provide grounding for her clients. She not only helps others to face their fears about their creativity, she also encourages the recognition of the unique worth of each individual within a collaborative and non-judgmental group process.
Kirsten grew up traveling the world and continues to be passionate about experiencing other cultures and new forms of art. She moved to Oregon in 1977 on a whim and is grateful for its nurturing beauty. She has three grown children who have been her greatest teachers. She has studied both astrology and Tarot since she was thirteen and continues to utilize both in her daily life. Her hobbies include dance, biking, gardening, cooking, kayaking, and hiking.
See more of her work at www.ArtCreatesHope.com.
Testimonials
Kirsten is positive, encouraging and helps you to let your inner child out to play. Jeane C.
Kirsten's Clinical Social Work training, along with her background in Art Therapy, uniquely prepare her to provide classes that are designed to help people dealing with chronic and terminal illnesses work through the challenges they face, and begin their journey towards health and healing. Diane Harris, MSW, LCSW — Therapist, Private Practice
The classes provide a dual benefit... allowing persons with cancer the opportunity to do a 'fun' activity, and many were surprised at the deeper insight and self discovery that came from their 'fun' activity. Art reaches parts of our brain and soul that often don't get used much in a cancer journey... wonderful stuff. As a cancer counselor/LCSW I highly recommend this for anyone with a chronic or acute diagnosis. Toni Lonning, LCSW
Kirsten's creative work is enthused with a deep passion for integral justice. Kirsten brings to her work a deep concern for just relationships expressed through the careful attention to process and deep sensitivity to those involved. Kirsten's capacity to unite art, healing and inspiration have consistently led Adelante Mujeres' board, staff and participants on journeys of discovery. Kirsten has consistently shown her ability to move our staff, participants, board... to a deeper place of understanding about our mission. Bridget Cooke, M.Div., Executive Director, Adelante Mujeres
