Meet our Team


Amy Barr, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in NYC

Amy Barr

(lp) LCAT

MY PRACTICE

I am a Creative Arts Therapist (CAT-LP) based in New York City, offering individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults seeking healing, growth, and reconnection with themselves. I offer a safe, supportive space for healing through a blend of Psychodynamic talk therapy and Art therapy, with my approach informed by DBT, CBT, and IFS. I believe in working collaboratively, honoring the pace of deep healing, and empowering your choices throughout the therapeutic process. My goal is to help you move from a place of survival toward resilience, self-understanding, and a sense of possibility.

I specialize in working with people navigating complex trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression and suicidality, and existential or philosophical dilemmas. My work is grounded in the belief that healing is possible when we feel safe, seen, and supported—and that the creative process can be a powerful vehicle for that healing.

In our work together, I draw from a mainly Psychodynamic framework, pulling in IFS, CBT, and Expressive art therapies. Whether you're processing longstanding trauma or simply trying to feel more at home in your body and your life, I will meet you with warmth, curiosity, and care.

I offer telehealth sessions to clients across New York State, and in-person availability may be limited based on office scheduling.


AREAS OF FOCUS & EXPERTISE

Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, narcissistic)

Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders

Existential Crisis, Identity work

Mood Disorders, Depressive Disorders

Gender Dysphoria, Gender related issues, Trans-specific Care

Grief & Loss

Interpersonal / Inter-relational conflict

Life Transitions, Adjustment difficulties

Self-esteem / self-worth related issues

Toxic Shame related issues, shame spirals

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Obsessive Compulsive & Related Disorders

Trauma & Stressor-related Disorders

THERAPY APPROACHES

Attachment-based Therapies

Psychodynamic, humanistic and relational approach 

Trauma- informed Expressive Art Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Psychoanalytic Frameworks

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS SERVED

Children age 5-18

Young adults 18+

Aged and Disbaled (65+)

LGBTQIA+, GNC/NB, Trans

Any race, gender, religion, or political affiliation welcome 


REVIEWS

"Amy is well beyond her years in terms of Clinical expertise in areas of Creative Arts Therapy. She offers a Humanistic, Relational, and Trauma-informed approach that supports clients from all walks of life. Highly recommended!"

-Anonymous

“Amy is a gifted therapist who brings a rare combination of humility and intellect to her work. She possesses a sophistication and depth beyond her years and has provided outstanding collaborative care to the patients we share. I recommend her without reservation.”

-Dr. Warden Prescott, PhD

Amy quickly jumps in when a client needs support and is able to identify what support is needed effectively. Working with a wide range of patients she demonstrates great empathy for all of our group members no matter their level of ability. Amy is an exceptionally empathetic professional whose candor and humor builds great trust with those she in her care.

-Annie Hyuk, LCAT



Work Experience

Art Therapist - Principium Psychiatry-New York, NY

  • Run weekly art therapy and wellness groups. (Virtual)

  • Coordinator (part-time Volunteer)

Collective Focus-Brooklyn NY

  • Provide emotional support and distribute clothing/food to homeless population

  • Plan and conduct fund-raising for organization

  • Plan community events

Art Specialist - Community Mediation Services-Far Rockaway, NY

Art Therapist (part Time) - Wellness Counseling Services-Brooklyn NY

  • Provide trauma-informed individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults

Program Instructor - Upward Bound-Newark NJ

  • Summer programming

  • Run art therapy groups for at-risk urban high school students striving to become first in their families to graduate high school and attend college

  • Support pre-college ESL program

  • Evaluate and manage emergent emotional or social issues

Recreation Coordinator - The Delaney of Bridgewater-Bridgewater NJ

  • Plan and deliver therapeutic recreational activities in memory care and assisted living environments

  • Work in both individual and group settings

  • Lead arts, yoga and other activities for seniors at varying levels of physical and mental capacity

Art Therapist - Youth Justice Network-Brooklyn, NY

  • Providing regular and as-needed treatment to young adult clients struggling with anxiety, depression, impaired self-image and environmental deprivation

  • Working flexibly to overcome suspicion and guardedness to form genuine therapeutic partnerships

  • Contributing to case conferences and working in tandem with treatment team to provide overall effective therapeutic support

  • Co-led weekly group mural-making project focused on collaboration and self-expression

Art Therapy (Intern) - The Actors Fund-Manhattan, NY

  • Managed independent case load of individual senior clients (65+) struggling with depression and loss

  • Led group therapy for grief, as well as art-based activity groups focused on social interaction and self-esteem

  • Initiated and led book group, helped manage interdisciplinary case loads

Academic Counselor (Intern) - Upward Bound-Newark, NJ

  • Provide individual and group counseling and academic advisement

Senior Services/Lifelong - Art Therapy (Volunteer) Montclair NJ

  • Design and deliver art therapy group activities for seniors

Therapeutic Aide (Volunteer) - Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (Pillar Care Continuum) Livingston NJ

  • Provide one-on-one support for children and adolescents dealing with cerebral palsy

Education

Master of Arts in Art Therapy

Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY, US

September 2019 to May 2021Bachelor's in Illustration

School of Visual Arts - New York, NY, US