Baylee Bullock

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

The options for art therapy master’s programs on the West Coast are quite limited, and I found out that the program at Marylhurst had transferred over to L&C. Once I saw that, I took a chance and applied to the program. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have made. What drew me in was the program’s strong emphasis on integrating art therapy practices with science and social justice, which aligned perfectly with my passions. My undergraduate degrees are in biology (pre-med) and art, and I never knew how to fully integrate my love for science with human connection/helping professions in an authentic way. The program’s focus on a holistic approach to art therapy really resonated with my values, and I appreciated the blend of theoretical learning and practical experience. While attending L&C, I was able to witness the faculty’s dedication to fostering a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment. I quickly discovered that L&C wasn’t just about academic learning; it was about building a supportive community. It was amazing to meet others who shared similar interests and goals, creating a collaborative atmosphere that encouraged growth and exploration. I feel incredibly fortunate to have landed here. It seriously turned out to be the perfect fit for me, both academically and personally.

What have you been doing since graduation?

Wow, is it really 2024? Well, since graduating over two years ago in 2022, I’ve embraced my role as an art therapist at Fora Health, a nonprofit alcohol and drug treatment center where I completed my internship. In my role, I facilitate individual and group art therapy sessions for both residential and outpatient clients, using creative expression as a vital tool in their healing journeys. I’m also proud to be a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) and am actively working toward my Licensed Certified Art Therapist (LCAT) credential. I can’t begin to describe how powerful it has been to use art-making as my primary tool for externalization in the field of recovery. What is unique about Fora Health, is that we are Oregon’s largest residential treatment center, offering the highest level of care to individuals seeking recovery.

Along with my work with clients, I’ve had the rewarding experience of supporting practicum students from Lewis & Clark, guiding them as they navigate their own paths in the field. I’m nearing the completion of the hours required to achieve my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) III certification, which is a significant milestone for my professional development.

My advocacy efforts focus on promoting creative interventions within addiction treatment, highlighting their unique benefits for clients. Addiction impacts all walks of life, making it a unique setting that calls for advocacy, humility, and equity. Serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee at Fora Health has allowed me to contribute to important conversations about inclusivity in our services. Additionally, I’ve been involved with our union as a Bargaining Member during contract negotiations, deepening my understanding of the systemic issues within our field. Overall, my post-graduation experience has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m excited to continue growing and making a positive impact on the lives of those I get to work with.

You’re a mentor for current art therapy students. How did you get involved in that work? What do you find most rewarding about working with current students?

I fell into the mentorship role through my work at Fora Health, where I began supporting art therapy practicum students from Lewis & Clark. I’ve been greatly inspired by my community and by individuals in the field, particularly faculty/art therapist Kris Bella, who has been a guiding force for me. Her passion and dedication to art therapy motivated me to give back and support emerging professionals, as she has done for me. Our licensure is still not recognized by insurance, and she has taught me that advocacy in the field and supporting growing professionals are equally important things as we nurture the field of art therapy moving forward.

What I find most rewarding about working with current students is witnessing their growth and enthusiasm for the field. I love helping them navigate the challenges of their practicum experience and encouraging them to trust their instincts as budding therapists. It’s fulfilling to share my own experiences and insights, knowing that I can contribute to their development and confidence. The energy and fresh perspectives they bring remind me of my own journey and reignite my passion for art therapy as a growing and evolving field. It’s truly a privilege to be part of their educational path and to see them flourish. Overall, nothing is better than cultivating curiosity through new experiences and walking towards the unknown. I feel like I get to stand by students as they walk towards discomfort and embrace this part of their art therapy journey.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your career? How does your social justice education apply?

Social justice is an integral part of the helping professions, and my education at Lewis & Clark highlighted its necessity in our work. The program provided a strong foundation for understanding and addressing the complexities of diverse populations, equipping me with the tools to hold space for individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. This broad lens is essential when navigating the unique challenges that clients face in their healing and recovery journeys.

I often reflect on the quote, ‘The more we know, the more we don’t know,’ which perfectly encapsulates the continuous learning that social justice demands. This mindset encourages humility and curiosity, reminding me that every client brings their own narrative that may challenge my perspectives. Verbal processes can only scrape the surface of someone’s true internal experience. That’s why art as a therapeutic tool can be so powerful. L&C helped me recognize my own process through art making and creative engagement, where I was able to experience my own inner world in a whole new light.

In my practice, I embrace a lighthearted approach and believe that incorporating my humor and heart into my interventions is crucial. This not only helps build rapport but also challenges traditional notions of professionalism that can sometimes feel rigid. I aim to create an environment where clients feel safe to express themselves and explore their emotions, knowing that laughter can be just as therapeutic as serious discussions. Alongside this approach, I can provide services with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a drive to promote equity in mental health care.

In practice, this means actively listening to my clients, advocating for their needs, and integrating creative interventions that resonate with their unique experiences. My time at Lewis & Clark truly prepared me to be a thoughtful and informed practitioner in a field where social justice is paramount. There’s always room for growth, but I am confident that I am a thoughtful and informed practitioner, using humor and heart as tools for connection and healing.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

The most important thing I learned at Lewis & Clark was to challenge myself and not let fear, bias, or judgment be in the driver’s seat. Early on, I recognized my apprehension about working with populations affected by addiction—a topic close to my own history as my direct family lives with addiction. This fear often made me want to avoid working with this population altogether. However, thanks to the guidance of my mentors, I was pushed to confront my discomfort, which ultimately transformed my life in a way that I can’t put into words.

I’ve learned to approach individuals with clarity, humility, and open arms, understanding that it is a profound honor to hold space and be a container for the challenges that others may shy away from. I’ve come to realize that fear, bias, and judgment often stem from a lack of understanding. When we avoid difficult conversations or populations, it can reflect past adverse reactions that linger into the present.

Lewis & Clark equipped me with the tools to actively engage with these reactions, allowing me to navigate my own emotions without self-judgment. This journey has taught me the importance of giving myself the space to explore and understand my responses, ultimately opening myself up to deeper connections. Through connection, curiosity, and community—three beautiful elements I experienced within my cohort—I’ve cultivated a practice rooted in empathy and authenticity. These lessons continue to guide me in my work in the helping professions, where fostering understanding and compassion is crucial. Because I was able to challenge myself in this program, I actually look forward to going to work each day. I’m not saying the work is easy, but I never thought my career could fill my cup this much. If I had not challenged my fear, I would have denied myself of so many beautiful and wonderful opportunities.

What did you like or find most interesting about your program?

For me, I think it was the personalization within the program. Coming from an undergraduate experience where class sizes often reached 300-400 students (I know—it was wild), the intimate classroom settings at L&C were a breath of fresh air. The interpersonal connections and experiential learning opportunities allowed me to engage deeply with the material, my peers, and myself, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that enriched my education filled with the art process.

I particularly appreciated how the program encouraged us to challenge the material and discover our own unique learning styles. This approach empowered me to think critically and creatively, allowing me to integrate my personal experiences and insights into my understanding of art therapy. It was refreshing to be in an environment that valued individual expression and encouraged deep self-reflection that was often supported by the creative process.

Additionally, the strong advocacy for art therapy within the program was a highlight. It inspired me to explore the diverse applications of creative interventions in therapy and ignited my passion for promoting this approach in my professional journey.

What did you like most about the cohort model in your program? What unique perspective did you bring to your cohort?

Here’s the thing, we kicked things off in the fall of 2019 and only had one semester of in-person learning before the pandemic hit in 2020. I remember when they announced that we had to switch to online learning, and I didn’t even know what Zoom was. As a cohort, we had to adapt in a moment’s notice. So, what I liked most about the cohort model in my program was the camaraderie that developed.

Despite the challenges, we found ways to validate one another through those tough times, and I found my peers to be incredibly inspiring. As we delve into the human experience, we are invited to share our own, where trust is not merely a byproduct but an essential foundation. Together, we tackled difficult topics, navigated the uncertainties, and somehow managed to find humor in the chaos—because let’s be real, that time feels like a fever dream to us all.

As for my unique perspective, I like to think I brought a compassionate and humorous lens to the cohort. I feel strongly connected to an extremely logical part of myself and equally connected to an extremely playful/childlike part of myself. I think this can bring a unique perspective of openness and curiosity that others can relate to.

Who was your mentor on campus? Why did you consider this person your mentor?

My mentor on campus has been professor/supervisor/art therapy guru Kris Bella. She embodies everything I could hope for in a mentor: kindness, humor, and an insatiable curiosity. What truly sets her apart is her ability to be refreshingly honest and real about what I needed, often seeing through the veil of my self-doubt and hesitation.

Ultimately, Kris can be the person that will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. She has this unique gift for challenging folks in a way that feels inviting rather than intimidating. She offers the opportunity for growth but leaves the choice up to us on whether to take that leap. I took her invitation, and it led me down a path I could have never predicted—a journey filled with opportunities, growth, and a newfound passion for my work.

I owe Kris immense gratitude for her guidance and support. She didn’t just teach me about art therapy and art therapy advocacy; she taught me to embrace vulnerability, face challenges head-on, and believe in my own potential. In many ways, she helped me find my voice and confidence in the field, and I’m forever thankful for her influence in my life.

What is your favorite thing about living in Portland?

I think my favorite thing has to be the food. I love food. Food is my love language. Other than the food it is all of the colors for me. I could walk the same route over a hundred times and still discover something new and unique every time. But seriously, it is so accessible to find yourself immersed in nature in this city and each season has a unique presence. The nature, the people, the art, and the experiences are all so lovely. But the food—let’s not forget about the food.

Art Therapy