We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dominique. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dominique below.

Dominique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

I was working my first job in the mental health field as a professional. I was a group faciliator at a community mental health agency, supporting individuals with severe mental illness. I noticed there were unused raised beds on site, so I asked my manager if I could start using them for group. An excstatic YES! Please! was the response. I began integrating time out in the garden into our wellness groups. We began integrating themes and concepts related to environmental, occupational, emotional, physical, and social wellness.
I began to learn alongside my clients that working in the raised beds and growing food and flowers was incredibly healing- in even more ways than I had anticipated. The clients were moving their bodies, spending time outside in the sun, becoming more mindful of the seasons and pollinators, working together to water, maintain, and harvest crops. This important experience laid the ground work (pun intended) for my current private practice where I utilize gardening to support individuals with their mental health.

Dominique, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a trained artist with a BFA in printmaking and painting who discovered the profession of art therapy while in undergraduate school. Through a series of events and conversations, I decided to pursue becoming an art therapist.
I am now a licensed counselor in the state of Illinois, Missouri, and Maryland as well as a Registered Art Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I am also a Nationally Certified Counselor. I opened my private practice, Create Play Grow Therapy Services in January of 2022 in St. Louis, MO. I love being able to support people on their wellness journeys through creative techniques using art, play, and gardening in therapy sessions with individuals as young as three years of age throughout the lifespan. I work with clients on an individual basis, in groups, and family settings in St. Louis city and the surrounding areas.
I am passionate about collaborations and engagement within the local and broader communities. I also provide professional development and training to agencies and organizations. I am grateful to be able to do the work that I do, as I learn so much from my clients and love that I get to be creative alongside my them.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think having peers and colleagues that I can connect with and consult with is incredibly important in my field. Training, books, and education are all wonderful and helfpul, but at times it is really so much more helpful to be able to talk to a colleague who has had experience with a tricky client or situation similar to what you are struggling with. It’s also a breath of fresh air to get someone else’s perspective when you’re feeling stuck. And it’s really nice to get validation that you are doing the right thing when you’re having doubts or dealing with imposter syndrome.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back I would definitely choose this same profession. I decided to become an art therapist when I was in my last twenties, so I feel I was already pretty clear about what I wanted to do and why. I had experienced enough of life and various jobs to be able to recognize my path. I’ve never regretted it and love what I get to do, despite it having it’s challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.createplaygrowtherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/create.play.grow.ts/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-begnaud-arttherapistplaytherapistgardentherapist/

Image Credits

Kevin de Miranda for portrait photo only