Amy Hautman-Bates, M.A., ATR-BC, LPCC

Amy Hautman Bates, M.A., ATR-BC, LPCC is a visual artist and art therapist, providing psychotherapy to individuals and families using a creative and holistic approach in art-based therapy to engage individuals in discovering who they are and what they want. Working from a person-centered, strength-based perspective, Amy integrates mindfulness and somatic awareness with cognitive behavioral therapy to help people move toward wellness.

Amy earned her degrees in studio arts and art history from the University of Minnesota and worked as a professional painter for over 30 years. She comes from a family of artists and has always known the mystical, magical power of art making. While teaching others to paint, Amy continually witnessed the remarkable transformational healing power of engaging in the creative process. This fascination led her to Southwestern College where she not only gained counseling and art therapy training, she also received the added gift of unlearning much of what she thought she knew. With a more open heart and a fresh perspective, Amy expanded her teaching beyond art into the therapeutic realm.

She believes that in teaching, as in therapy, the best guide imparts knowledge while opening new doors, expanding ways of thinking, and reflecting the valuable inner wisdom that is present in every student.