Cassandra (Cassie) Hamrick

I am a community-driven art therapist based in Durham, North Carolina. My work in art therapy is deeply threaded with my art practice and my social justice activism; together, these three modes of work constitute one, holistic social justice praxis. When creating art with individuals and communities, I strive to honor people's unique stories, understanding that we all carry layered experiences of oppression. My goal is to create safe environments where people feel empowered to direct their own personal journeys of healing and fulfillment. My philosophy of practice is influenced by Relational-Cultural Counseling Theory, which recognizes the impact of personal, community, and environmental relationships on a person's development, health, and well-being. I value discussion about identity factors such as class, race, gender, sexuality, language, national & regional identity, ability, age, and spirituality. I engage a trauma-informed lens supported by professional certifications in sexual assault crisis intervention, advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and support for LGBTQIA+ identified individuals. I utilize DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Theory) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) in my sessions as appropriate.