Mary Lacy Bell

In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor, I am also a Registered Art Therapist. Trained under the broader umbrella of Expressive Arts Therapy, I believe in the power of creativity, play, exploration, and expression which offers healing, not solely through traditional talk therapy, but through other expressive means – dance, movement, poetry, painting, improv, and more. I am trained in EMDR, and I value the use of somatic (body) work to facilitate release of embedded trauma. Sometimes, even when we understand logically that we are free from danger, our body still holds a primal fear response.
I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic safe space for anyone who wants to embark on a healing journey. To this end, I lean into a strength-based, client-centered, trauma-informed philosophy. Conversations, artmaking, and guided experientials are always presented as invitations as I practice active listening and an open and curious mindset towards what the client wants to explore, create, and share.
In my non-profit job, I work as a sexual health educator, HIV tester, counselor, and advocate. I practice a curious, non-judgmental approach and do not shrink away from “taboo” topics. I engage with a wide spectrum of individuals and commit myself to justice and equality for everyone, paying special attention to those in marginalized groups. I offer a safe space for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, people with disabilities, and those who may see the world through a different lens.