On sabbatical during fall 2025.
Mary Andrus (she/her/hers) resides and works on the Ahantchuyuk, Atfalati, Kalapuya and Clackamas lands. She has a doctorate in art therapy, is a board certified registered art therapist, a certified supervisor and licensed professional counselor.
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Andrus has dedicated her career to establishing innovative, arts-based programming to meet critical community needs. Her journey began in Chicago, where her passion for art therapy was solidified.
Early in her career at Jane Addams Hull House, she created dynamic support for youth transitioning out of foster care. Recognizing the power of creative expression, she launched a recording studio and a monthly open mic night, providing a safe space for youth to create music, share their stories, and process their lived experiences. Her leadership expanded as she oversaw a Community Arts Center on Chicago’s north side, coordinating exhibitions and vital arts-based healing events across the city. For seven years, she then managed the expressive arts team at a community hospital serving inpatient and outpatient mental health needs. She recognized and filled a significant gap by establishing a free perinatal pregnancy support group for uninsured and underinsured women. Eventually, she founded Art Therapy Studio Chicago LTD, building a private practice focused on trauma care for youth and adults, all while serving as a past president of the Illinois Art Therapy Association.
In 2015, Dr. Andrus relocated to Portland to teach at Marylhurst University. Collaborating with the community in Oregon, she shifted her focus toward statewide advocacy. After stepping into the role of Program Director, she became instrumental in protecting the art therapy profession in Oregon, successfully leading the passage of HB 2436 to protect the practice and title of art therapist. Her legislative work continues, and in 2025, she recently led the successful passage of HB 3761, establishing crucial insurance reimbursement for art therapists across the state.
As she transitioned to Lewis & Clark College, her commitment to social change deepened. In 2020, she cofounded Art for Social Change, an arts activism group, and in 2024, she significantly expanded resources by establishing a digital media lab, community art therapy studio, and exhibition space at the Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center in Portland. A filmmaker herself, Dr. Andrus has produced several documentary films and spearheaded the inaugural Arts in Healing International Film Festival in 2025.
In her clinical work, Dr. Andrus integrates her training as a trauma therapist (trained in EMDR) with her background as a musician and artist. She is deeply attuned to somatic, embodied practices that support regulation, and she is currently working toward her Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certification. Her clinical approach is centered on compassion and curiosity, creating a strong relational foundation for healing. This approach is the heart of establishing, Art Therapy Studio Oregon LLC, launched in Fall 2025, which offers individual counseling, groups, supervision, and workshops.
As an educator, published author, and researcher, Dr. Andrus champions depth education, challenging students to use art for self-discovery while examining societal contexts. Her goal is to create equity in relational well-being within the classroom. Her scholarly focus is on expanding clinical practices beyond traditional models, utilizing film and exhibition in the process of reintegration, and exploring the implications of art therapy in treating collective trauma.
Personal Statement
I believe that art in relationship transforms lives, builds community, examines social constructs, raises critical consciousness and creates a more just society. I am passionate about creating opportunities for all people to reach their full potential through creativity. My role as director combines my passion for teaching and building community to impact the lives of students, teachers, supervisors and clients through rigorous engaged education using art as a mirror into the experience.
I helped spearhead the Art Therapy Law( HB2432) which protects the ethical practice of art therapy in the state. I am committed to impacting social change by ensuring art therapy services are a mainstay in Oregon to help meet the mental health needs of marginalized and underserved populations.
Areas of Expertise
Trauma, Art Exhibition, Filmmaking, Community Building, Advocacy
Current Research
Andrus, M. & Feddersen, K. Art Making on the Nervous System: A Crossover Mixed Methods Study. Lewis & Clark
Publications
Andrus, M., Siulagi, L., & Tsbari, K. (29 Jul 2024). Art for social change: Aligning values and actions toward effective activism. Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, DOI:10.1080/07421656.2024.2366569
Andrus, M. (2023). Collective Storytelling: Art & film to process an unexpected loss. International Journal of Art Therapy. DOI: 10.1080/17454832.2023.2188411
Andrus, M., (2022). Private to Public; Exhibition in art therapy. In Brown, C & Omand, H. C. (Eds.) Contemporary Practice in Studio Art Therapy. Routledge.
Andrus, M., (2022). Cover Artwork, “Attunement”. In Beer, L. & Birnbaum, J. (Eds), Trauma Informed practices for music therapy clinicians. Routledge,
Andrus, M. (2020). Infertility to Motherhood: Collective voices in Art Therapy Challenge Social Constructs. In (Swan-Foster, N., Ed.) Art Therapy and Childbearing Issues: Birth, Death and Rebirth. Routledge.
Beer, L., Andrus, M., & Hubchick, J. (2020). Prosocial Behaviours in a Creative Arts Day Camp With and Without Special Needs: A Mixed-methods Study. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. 54(3). 220-241.
Andrus, M. (2020). Collective story: Marylhurst to Lewis and Clark. [Documentary film]. Portland, OR: Lewis & Clark College.
Andrus, M. (2019). Exhibition and film about infertility, miscarriage and stillbirth: Art therapy implications. Art Therapy Journal. 37(1). doi:10.1080/07421656.2019.1697577
Andrus, M. (2019). Cover Artwork ,“The protector”. Art Therapy Journal: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 35(4).
Andrus, M. (2017). Private to public: Therapeutic impact and ethics of sharing artwork in trauma resolution. Unpublished dissertation. Mount Mary University.
Andrus, M. (2016). A review of The body keeps the score: Brain, mind and body in the healing of trauma. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 32(4), 3–5. doi: 10.1080/07421656.2015.1091569
Andrus, M. (2007). Cover Artwork, “A portrait of Don”. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 24(1).
Andrus, M. (2006). Cover Artwork, “I don’t want to be sick”. Journal of Pain and Palliative Care, 20(2). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Medical Press.
Andrus, M. (2004) (Release and a Poem for Ben) in Moon, B., and R. Schoenoholtz (Eds.), Word Pictures, The Poetry and Art of Art Therapists, pp. 65-68. Springfield, IL.: Charles C. Thomas Publisher.
In press
Andrus, M., Artistic activism for social change. In J. DeLucia (Ed.), Creative change agent: Therapist as entrepreneur. In press. Routledge.
Andrus, M. Demystifying publishing. In Kapitan, L. Introduction to art therapy research (3rd ed). In press. Routledge.
Films (Director, producer, videographer, editor and audio)
Andrus, M. (2020). Collective story: Marylhurst to Lewis & Clark. [Documentary film]. Lewis & Clark College.
Andrus, M. (2019). Holding Water: Film about Don Seiden. [Documentary short]. Psychotherapy.net
Andrus, M. (2017). Bearing witness: Infertility to Motherhood. [Documentary film], Edited by Erik Law, Director of Photography Martin Baumgaertner. Psychotherapy.net
Andrus, M. (2015). Art Therapy: A Nurse’s Healing. [Documentary film].
Andrus, M. (2014). Don and his birds. [Documentary short], View at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=aK60GwOtESg . Psychotherapy.net.
Andrus, M. (2011) IATA Presidents and Leaders, featuring Harriet Wadeson, an art therapy pioneer. [Documentary film]. Illinois Art Therapy Association. Psychotherapy.net.
Publications of Artwork
Andrus, M., (2022) Cover Artwork, “Attunement”. In Beer, L. & Birnbaum, J. (Eds), Trauma Informed practices for music therapy clinicians. Routledge.
Andrus, M. (2019). Cover Artwork, “The protector”. Art Therapy Journal: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 35(4).
Andrus, M. (2007). Cover Artwork, “A portrait of Don”. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 24(1).
Andrus, M. (2006). Cover Artwork, “I don’t want to be sick”. Journal of Pain and Palliative Care, 20(2). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Medical Press.
Presentations
Andrus, M. & Feddersen, K. Art Making on the Nervous System: A Crossover Mixed Methods Study. Presented at the 55th Annual American Art Therapy Association National Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
Andrus, M. (2025). Compassion for critical self through IFS and art therapy. Center for Continuing Education, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Portland, OR. (Spring)
Andrus, M. (2024). Polyvagal embodied wisdom collective supervision group. American Art Therapy Conference. Pittsburgh, PA.
Andrus, M. (2024). Compassion for critical self through IFS and art therapy. Expressive Therapies Summit Midwest. Chicago, IL.
Andrus, M. (2023). Art making on the nervous system. Faculty Technology Showcase. Lewis & Clark College. Portland, OR.
Andrus, M. (2023). Polyvagal Theory, Art Therapy & Trauma Treatment. (Virtual) Center for Continuing Education, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Portland, OR.
Andrus, M. (2023). Collective Storytelling: Art and Film to process an unexpected loss. Paper and film presented at the 54th Annual American Art Therapy Association National Conference, San Diego, CA.
Andrus, M. (2023). Polyvagal Art Therapy and Trauma Treatment. Center for Continuing Education, Lewis & Clark. Portland, OR.
*Siulagi, O., *Tsbari, K. & Andrus, M., (2022). Art for Social Change; Activism or Slacktivism? Paper presented at the 53rd Annual American Art Therapy Association National Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Andrus, M. (2021). Wxmen’s Collective Voices; Challenging Constructs of Motherhood. Center for Continuing Education, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Portland, OR.
Andrus, M., & Rivenburgh, Q. (2021). Squashing the box of gender normativity. 40th Annual Gender Studies Symposium, Lewis & Clark College of Arts and Science. Portland, OR.
Andrus M., & Simpson, A. (2021). Collective liberation: Art and film to process a university closure. American Educational Studies Association National Conference: In search of educational liberation, Portland OR.
Andrus, M., Delucia, J., Royster, R., Lounsbury, L. & Stallings, J. (2021). Art for social change group within academia. Creative change agent: Therapist as entrepreneur. 52nd annual American Art Therapy Association Conference.
Andrus, M., & Quintero, A. (2020). Mapping your journey: An art therapy workshop. Ray Warren Symposium, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR.
Andrus, M., Richards, B., Borowski, G., Godshell, C., Harriot, A., & Simpson, A. (2019). Liberation, transformation; Critical theory in art therapy. American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO.
Andrus, M. (2018). From private to public: #Metoo and beyond; ethics and value of sharing art. American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL.
Andrus, M. (2018).To see, be seen, and see oneself anew: Response art in the intersubjective space. American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL.
Andrus, M. (2018). Practitioner led research, implications for the field of art therapy. American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL.
Andrus, M. (2018). Can intersubjectivity and compassion alter social and political divisiveness? Cultivating Community Creative Arts Therapy Conference, Marylhurst University, Portland, OR
Andrus, M. (2018). Bearing Witness Film & Panel Discussion, Cultivating Community Creative Arts Therapy Conference, Marylhurst University, Portland, OR
Andrus, M. (2017). Transdisciplinary approach; exploring social cultural identities, Cascadia Training, Oregon City, OR.
Andrus, M. (2017). “Bearing witness film”. American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, AATA film festival, Albuquerque, NM.
Andrus, M. (2017). Licensure and advocacy; lessons from the frontlines, paper presentation, American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM.
Andrus, M. (2016). Doctoral dissertation presentation, Marylhurst University, Portland, OR.
Andrus, M. (2015). Best Practices in treating trauma, Oregon Creative Arts Therapy Annual Conference, Portland, OR.
Andrus, M. (2015). Best Practices in treating trauma, Mount Mary Symposium, Milwaukee WI.
Andrus, M. (2014). Assuaging Trauma: Case Study with client co-presenting, Mount Mary Symposium, Milwaukee WI.
Andrus, M. (2013). Assuaging Trauma, Illinois Art Therapy Annual Conference, Chicago IL.
Andrus, M. (2013). “Response art: exploring the client-therapist relationship”, CEU Training, Live Oak, Chicago, IL.
Andrus, M. (2013). “Don and his birds”, American Art Therapy Association Conference, AATA Film Festival- Seattle, WA.
Academic Credentials
Doctor of Art Therapy (DAT), Mount Mary University
MA, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago