We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jordan Faver a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I’m reminded of a specific client whom I facilitated Art Therapy with twice a week in an alternative school program with. A teenage boy with anger issues and deeply held negative core beliefs about himself and the world around him (and rightfully so). He was resistant to the therapy process at first- hands crossed over his chest, silence for the duration of session, and no interaction with the materials or people around him. A few weeks in, he slowly began to engage in our group therapy sessions. At first, small marks on paper with minimal usage of any other materials. And by the time our sessions came to a close and I was on to the next venture, he was kinder and more joyful, engaged in the creative process, and even encouraging and helping other students. He wrote me a letter that I have in my office that I read to pep myself up after a tough session.
Art is truly the best healer.

Jordan , 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?

As the daughter of an Art Teacher and lover of people and the science of psychology, it only made sense that I become an Art Therapist! Creativity was instilled in me at a young age and for that I’m so thankful. I feel as though Art Therapy was a calling on my life as I’ve been chasing after it since 7th grade! (This honestly blows my mind when I think about it!) I love seeing people set free and healed. I do not take for granted the sacredness of my work- it is so special.

I currently own and operate my own Art Therapy & Counseling private practice called Faver Creative, PLLC, as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist in Fort Worth, Texas. I’ve also recently established Wellness Coaching services for teens and women who may not feel ready for or enthusiastic about therapy, but still want to make positive changes in their lives. I make art often (specifically painting and mixed media) and fulfill commissions as one of my side hobbies.

If I were to ask some of my clients what sets me apart in my facilitation of counseling, I think they would tell you that I connect the art to their current real-life situation; it is not there for only fun purposes (although that can help!) but to really help the client dive into their subconscious and better understand themselves and their journey. I don’t solve any problems or give solutions to my clients, but facilitate a process that allows them to discover and regenerate their own. This enables self-empowerment and then they’re able to look at their presenting problem with a different lens. When this recurs in each session, the client can begin to change the habits, patterns or behaviors that hold them back from making constructive changes or withhold them from a larger capacity to cope with their unique stressors.
I choose specific materials and directives depending on diagnosis, population, current stressors etc. It’s not arts and crafts, but a real catalyst for healing. I want potential clients of mine to know that no matter the issue or circumstance, Art Therapy will truly allow you to become a better, stronger and more resilient individual, and that everyone, regardless of circumstance, can benefit from these therapeutic services.
Although we can make this happen in talk or cognitive-behavioral therapy, Art Therapy can speed up this process and assist in ‘painting the picture’ (literally) when words don’t do our experience the justice it deserves!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Making connections in this field with other therapists, practitioners, doctors, and mental health professionals is so important for success in this field. I would definitely say that connections are important in any field, but it’s definitely easier to add clients to your caseload when you’ve been referred by someone else. It’s useful to get to know other like-minded practitioners and build relationships with them, too. For example, I’m more holistic in my approaches, so I want to know of other therapists I can refer to sometimes that may be similar in that way if it fits the client’s needs. This also goes for practitioners that might do things differently than I would, or have a different skillset than me. For example, if someone contacts me that needs support in a certain area that I’m not as familiar with, it’s important I can refer them out to someone who specializes in that thing. If I could give advice to an upcoming mental health professional, it would be to start making these connections early on so you have a huge toolbox of resources and other support services!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I’d be a Marine Biologist. Kidding! Sort of. A childhood dream I had to grieve in high school when I realized biology and chemistry weren’t my thing! It all turned out okay though… But in all seriousness, yes, I’d absolutely choose this same profession. I love it and consider myself so lucky to be able to say “I love work” or “I love my job” and actually mean it. We spend so much of our life at our workplace and in our careers and I can’t imagine not loving what I do, although I also recognize the rarity of it. Art, counseling and my other creative endeavors are not just hobbies or a job for me, but a lifestyle, a belief system, and a personality of mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: jordanfaver.com
• Instagram: favercreativepllc
• Facebook: JF Counseling, Art Therapy & Coaching
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jordanfaver

Image Credits
Jordan Faver