Student Profile: Chelsea Plotner

Name: Chelsea Plotner, 25
Hometown: Army Brat

How long have you been in the program? I have been in the FSU Art Therapy program for 1.5 years!

How did you hear about Art Therapy?  I first heard about art therapy during my undergrad at FSU. I studied art education in the same department that art therapy resides in, graduating with my Bachelors in 2011. In the art education program, we had to have a concentration in either an art medium of our choice, such as photography, or we could choose to do psychology, which was considered the pre-art therapy track. I have always been interested in psychology, so I chose that track. Along the way I met an art therapist working with the military, and read as much research as I could get my hands on. By the time I graduated with my undergrad, I knew that art therapy was what I was meant to do!

What qualities do you think make a good therapist? I think being an attentive and active listener is the most important part of being a therapist. It is so easy to get mentally distracted during a session, which means you could miss some key piece of information that a client is giving you. Practicing being in the here-and-now with your client not only helps you, but your clients will notice as well, and know that you truly care about what they have to say.

What inspires you? There are so many exciting things happening in the world of art therapy – everyday I read a new article that makes me say “Wow!” and perks my interests for a new part of the field. There is no limit to what population art therapy can be used with, and seeing what other art therapists are trying (and succeeding) at makes me want to dive right in!

Why did you choose FSU for your program of study? I was really looking for a program that would be invested in me, not just as a graduate student, but as an individual. When I interviewed with the FSU Art Therapy program, I met some of the students and got to talk to them about their experiences in the program. They all had such wonderful things to say, I couldn’t shake it!

People thought I made a poor decision to stay at the school where I got my undergrad, but I believe they are wrong. FSU’s program is truly one of a kind, and the faculty and staff are amazing. My professors genuinely want me to be successful, not just as a professional, but as a person, and my classmates are my biggest cheerleaders. I wouldn’t be anywhere else!

What is it that you desire to do with your degree in art therapy? Right now, I would love to work with juvenile offenders. I think this group of adolescents really needs the benefits that art therapy can bring to them, and there is always a need for dedicated mental health professionals in this field. Coming from a military family, I would also be interested in working as a Military Family Life Consultant, helping families to cope with the stresses of military life, deployments, reunions, and other unique aspects of life in the service.

Any Advice for future art therapy students? When looking for a graduate school, find one that has a variety of internships throughout the program. FSU requires three separate internships, so that we can experience working with a variety of populations, and see where we might fit or not fit. My internship sites have been an invaluable source of experience and knowledge, and have helped me to know that I am in the right profession for me. They also give you great real-world work experience, and the diversity of settings you work in will help you in your job hunt later down the road! The entire experience of graduate school is hard, pedal to the metal, non-stop grind, but it is truly one of the most rewarding things you will do with your life J