Expressive Arts Therapist, Coach, Consultant and Art Maker
Tish McAllise Sjoberg, M.A., CAGS, REAT
After the loss of my mother, father, and beloved dog in a short six-month period, I discovered the power of Expressive Arts in the grieving process, as well as in creating much-needed change in my life. Through my journey, I developed a desire to help others use creative expression to manage challenges and spark change in their own lives.
I have found the Expressive Arts Therapy and Coaching model valuable for creating a safe space to play, explore, heal, and grow a more creative and vibrant life. I am not here to teach my style of art. I support people in following their own longings and pleasure in art and life, so they can uncover their personal form of creative expression and build creative confidence.
I founded my studio, Expressive Arts @ 32nd & Thorn in the North Park area of San Diego, in 2010 where I have a private practice with individuals as well as facilitate workshops and groups to help people take a vacation from their daily life or deal with life issues like death, aging, relationship, job, burnout, illness, and living life. I specialize in working with people who have fears around creating art, do not think they are artists or are not confident in their art making. I have held specialty workshops in many areas over the years including support grieving, dying, hospice staff and other corporate staff, using the arts for adjunct therapy with homeless, addictions and eating disorders and much more.
If you are interested in working with me, I offer a free 30-minute consultation so you can see if it is a good fit for you.
My Education:
I am a REAT (Registered Expressive Arts Therapist) and have my Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy and Coaching. I am a graduate of the Expressive Arts Institute of San Diego (2005) an intensive three-year training program that I consider to be one of the best in the world. I received my Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from the European Graduate School (2006) in Switzerland. I continued to get a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Supervision and Research as a prerequisite for my dissertation at the European Graduate School’s doctoral program. I hope to begin my dissertation writing process soon.
I am also a training therapist for the Expressive Arts Institute of San Diego and offer supervision/reflection through the arts to other helping professionals.
My Art:
I am a Daily Artist which means I show up every day to make art. My daily Creative Practice includes painting, collage, and writing. I have been creating art every day for over 23 years. (Yes, every day! And yes, I have missed a FEW days.)
My favorite art is to create blind contour portraits that are investigations into my relationships, aspects of myself and the human condition. Most of these portraits are drawn in the blind contour fashion, with eyes closed. The pen stays on the paper for the entire time, creating one continuous line. Once drawn, I open my eyes to paint. This style emerged to counteract my perfectionism and fear of not knowing how or what to paint. The process continues to bring me pleasure and pushes me to try new things as a painter and artmaker.
Artist is a Verb: A Daily Reader to Support You in Building a Creative Practice and Inspired Life
A week before my mother died, I asked her if she had any regrets. The answer was yes, she had always wanted to be an artist. After 73 years, that was her regret. By always putting others’ needs and wants first, she never became who she wanted to be. My mother’s regret became fuel for my own creative path. I thought I too could die without realizing my dream of becoming an artist. In a commitment to honor my mother’s life, and to not let a day go by where I didn’t honor my own desire to be an artist, I embarked on my first 365 Days of Art project – making art every day for a year. That was over 20 years ago, and I have made art (almost) every day since with a commitment of just 5 minutes a day.
My book, Artist is a Verb: A Daily Reader to Support You in Building a Creative Practice and Inspired Life is filled with wisdom I have learned from the past 20+ years of being a daily artist. Now, I hope to pay it forward by helping others find their way to their creative dreams. By the way, much of the book was written as a daily writing practice, based on a commitment of 5 minutes a day. You never know what 5 minutes can add up to!
