Cleopatra bertelsen, Ph.D. Candidate, LMHC, NCC, LMP, MHP, RYT-200

Cleopatra Bertelsen graduated with a MA in Drama Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University, and a BFA in Theatre and Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts. Cleopatra’s work in private practice with adult clients is influenced by her background in theatre, art, and holistic wellness practices, as a registered yoga teacher, counselor, counselor educator, and artist. She utilizes creative arts modalities, mindfulness, and depth psychology through the lens of empowerment and liberation. 

Currently, Cleopatra is writing her dissertation on Multiracial Counselors experiences with race while in counseling programs, and working towards her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision (CES) with a Creative Arts Cognate from Antioch University. She is the recipient of the CES Social Justice and Multicultural doctoral fellowship. 

Cleopatra graduated from the NWCEAI professional training in June 2022. Cleopatra is an avid learner, knitter, cook, and creative. In her free time, she spends time in nature and exploring new ways for creative expression.

Sibel Golden

Sibel Golden PhD, LMHC, REAT

Dr. Sibel Golden is a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor, with over 23 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, couples, families, and children.

She is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

As well as a seasoned clinician, Sibel is an experienced educator. She taught at City University in Seattle in their Masters in Counseling Program for one year, before moving on to Bastyr University where she taught for 6 years in the Health Psychology Department. Sibel designed and taught courses such as Art as Spiritual Practice and the Psychology of Nourishment. She has presented numerous workshops on Eating Disorders, Body Image, and various aspects of Creative Arts Therapy, in the Puget Sound Area, as well as in New York.

In 2010, Sibel was the recipient of the Rollo May Scholarship at Saybrook University. She was a regular contributor to the academic blog ‘The New Existentialists’ for 2 years, before starting her own blog at sibelgoldenphd.com. Sibel’s dissertation was a qualitative study entitled, ‘Portraits of Courage in the Creative Process of Visual Artists’.

Sibel uses an existential-integrative and creative arts approach in her work, including humanistic and depth psychology, mindfulness, and positive psychology. She has an unwavering commitment to remaining present with the unique experience of each client. This allows for a whole-person approach, valuing individual experiences of mind, body, spirit, and emotion, as well as family of origin, nuclear family, relationships cultural background, and social environment.

“My background in and love of the arts, as well as my fascination with the creative process, guide my work. I believe that art and the creative process provide expansive ways to look at life, sustain motivation, and unearth new sources of inspiration”.

B.A. in Studio Art from Bard College, Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy from Goddard College, Doctoral Degree in Psychology from Saybrook University.

Bobbi Kidder, MA, RDT, BCT

Bobbi Kidder is author of IMAGINaction, a guide to using drama in classrooms and other settings. Bobbi has incorporated the principles of conflict resolution as an educator and drama therapist, doing international work in cultural competence and ELL as well as leading communication projects in schools, prisons, and treatment centers.

She has worked with inter-generational groups in Los Angeles and Seattle. Bobbi values improvisational skills and believes that having a clear understanding of the utility of imagination will promote a committed pursuit of its potential.

KAT MCIVER, PHD, REAT

Kat McIver is a working ceramic artist who has shown her work in cities throughout the world.

Kat holds a Masters degree in Spirituality from the Institute of Creation Spirituality at Holy Names College in Oakland, Ca, and a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California, with an emphasis in creativity and clay. 

Kat has taught masters level courses in transpersonal psychology, creativity and innovation, and expressive arts workshops as well as offering individual sessions in expressive arts therapy and supervision for IEATA.   “I love facilitating the awakening of creativity and enlivening the connection to the soul’s journey through the heart-center with the artistic medium of clay and embodied spiritual practices.”

Find Kat’s work at Welcome to Moon Center Arts-Ceramic Sculpture: www.katmciver.com

Courtney Oliver, LMHC

Courtney Oliver is a licensed mental health professional on Bainbridge Island, WA. She currently works as an Executive Director for a non-profit organization providing free adolescent counseling. She also has a part time private practice called Life Created Counseling. She has been in the field of counseling for over 15 years and enjoy working with all ages.

Courtney completed NWCEAI’s Professional Training Program in 2020. When she isn’t working you can usually find her doing some type of art (fiber arts are my favorite), hiking in the Pacific Northwest, finishing a jigsaw puzzle, and spending time with family.   

Melanie roque, MA, LMHCA

Mel Roque received her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and spent the first season of their career working with individuals with mood disorders in an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization setting. She is currently in private practice where their clientele consists mostly of teens, women, and gender fluid humans of all ages. 

Mel uses a trauma informed, integrative approach combining eastern and western methods while sprinkling in tools from somatics and EXA. Simultaneously working as a professional dancer over the past decade, Mel values play, relationship, and the mind-body connection inviting awareness of the whole person. Mel believes that healing is incomplete when failing to pay attention to the role that systems and power differentials have in keeping communities living in oppression.

Mel currently resides in New York City with her husband and two dogs where she is actively pursuing art through travel, dance, acting, & concept artistry using avant-garde fashion & expressive characterization.

Courtney Taylor, PhD, LMHC, REAT

Courtney Taylor is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Ecotherapist, and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with a PhD in Cognitive Psychology. She works with individuals of most ages while weaving humanistic foundations into evidence-based modalities. She has previous experience working for non-profit crisis centers and non-profit community mental health agencies. She is currently working at her private practice located in Wenatchee Washington.

Courtney completed NWCEAI’s Professional Training Program in 2019. Since then, she has specialized in integrating Astrology and Nature-Based expressive arts into many creative modalities.