main content Bailey S.

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Credit: Bailey S.Artist Bio

Bailey Shiflett is a Clinical Art Therapy Intern at Kartini Children’s Clinic and a graduate student at Lewis & Clark College, where she is completing her final year of study in Art Therapy. Her work focuses on the transformative power of creativity in supporting adolescents with eating disorders, providing a safe space for self-expression, identity exploration, and emotional growth.

Bailey’s approach is informed by her experience in both residential and day treatment settings, emphasizing developmentally appropriate interventions that align with multidisciplinary care. Her passion lies in fostering connection and resilience through art, empowering clients to navigate recovery with compassion and authenticity.

Artist Statement

As an Art Therapy and Counseling student interning at Kartini Children’s Clinic in Portland, Oregon, my clinical work centers on adolescents navigating eating disorders. This semester, my reflective art practice has become a vital space for processing my experiences as a student clinician. Through art-making, I explore personal biases, countertransference, and the challenges of integrating new clinical insights. This process deepens my understanding of relationships within the site, offering opportunities for personal growth, clarity, and closure.

This semester, my artwork has been heavily shaped by the tension between clinical philosophies and personal observations. One piece, a nest-like structure of wire and yarn, explores the dual nature of family systems as both supportive and restrictive, echoing the dynamics I observe in treatment. Another piece, layered with handwriting spilling beyond its frame, reflects the challenge of maintaining personal boundaries as the demands of clinical work blur into my sense of self.

My creative process is deeply influenced by my clinical experiences, serving as a space to process emotions, develop empathy, and cultivate resilience. By engaging in this reflective practice, I strengthen my ability to support clients while honoring the complexities of their journeys. For me, art-making is not only a tool for self-care but also a vital way to bridge the personal and professional in a meaningful and therapeutic way.