Caption: Nancy Choe's art installation used unclaimed clothes donated by Korean-American dry cleaning businesses in LA to address shame and guilt narratives in Asian-American communities.
Nancy Choe '13
Preparing graduate students to embrace a multicultural focus throughout the curriculum is a cornerstone of the LMU Marital and Family (Art) Therapy Department. Nancy Chloe '13 harnessed this aspect of the program both during her time as a student and beyond, continuing to focus on cultural exploration as an active alumni.
We sat down with Choe and asked her about her time as a Marital and Family Therapy graduate student and where her career has led her following her time at LMU.
Why did you decide to pursue your graduate studies in art therapy?
When my daughter was in preschool, I witnessed how art was integral to her cognitive and affective development. Although I already had an MFA and worked in an art-related field for many years, I never really thought about the role of art in human development and healing until I became a parent. It wasn't an easy decision to go back to school, but I really felt like I discovered my calling.
Tell us a little about your career trajectory since graduating.
I worked in both community mental health and private practice for a number of years. I turned my thesis about using art apps in art therapy into a published article. I also continued to learn and publish more about the use of technology and digital arts in therapy.
Four years ago, I wanted to learn more about arts-based research, so I decided to pursue a doctorate in art therapy psychology. I also completed a professional certificate program in narrative medicine from Columbia University to learn more about the power of telling and listening to stories in healthcare. I believe that my growth as a person and scholar started at LMU and I'm very grateful for that.
What is your day-to-day like?
Besides being a therapist, I wear a few other hats and I'm currently exploring using arts-based workshops to enhance the well-being of healthcare professionals and patients. My day is filled with reading, writing, consultation, planning workshops, and making art. I also started volunteering my services to organizations that serve the Asian communities in Los Angeles, like the Korean American Family Services. They work to bring more awareness about mental health issues in Asian-American communities and I want to contribute to those efforts.
How do you feel our program prepared you for this next step?
LMU's MFT program is unique in that it prepares you to practice both as an MFT and as an art therapist. I think I have more of a multi-dimensional understanding of mental health and creativity than other MFTs trained to view relationships and individuals solely through a clinical lens. During my time at LMU, no professor let me think that getting licensed as an MFT was the end game. The program allowed me to see that there are multiple different paths I can take to use the arts to bring about change in our world.
What was your favorite aspect of the our program?
LMU's MFT program has close ties with various local communities and volunteer training programs so students can make a real social impact. As a student, I completed the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Training and volunteered when residents with children were displaced due to fires. I also met teens in Central Juvenile Hall and worked with Dolores Mission School students in Boyle Heights.
These experiences taught me that practitioners have a duty to create connections and work with diverse and underserved communities. As an alumni, I also try to support LMU's outreach efforts by being part of the department's Active Cultural Exploration (ACE) committee.
Were you involved in any meaningful activities as part of your time at LMU?
I enjoyed working as a research assistant for Dr. Einat Metzl. She opened my eyes to a wide range of research topics related to art therapy and emphasized the importance of engaging in scholarly endeavors.
I also attended AATA conferences and met other art therapists interested in using digital arts in art therapy. Together, we formed Art Therapy New Media Committee to promote the safe and ethical use of new media. I felt fortunate that both Dr. Metzl and Dr. Debra Linesch supported my efforts to use and explore new media in art therapy when I was a student.
What is your favorite memory from your time at LMU?
My favorite memory was the summer Mexico trip. I took my daughter, who was about five years old at the time. She attended a summer art camp with the local Mexican children and had a blast. Our classes ended almost simultaneously, so we were able to explore San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato together in the afternoons and weekends. Everything was new for both of us, and it was such a delightful cultural experience.
Do you have any advice for current MFT students?
I think the best way to overcome any challenges in the program is to be open about them. I started out as a full-time student, but running a small business and taking care of a small child eventually took a toll on me after a year. The commute alone was challenging and my personal life left less time to mingle after class.
I talked to Dr. Linesch about all the things I had on my plate, and she helped me transition to being a part-time student without any judgment. I grew up in a culture that viewed suffering is a virtue, so I'm proud that I admitted I was having a hard time and sought help. In the end, I had a bit more time to work on my thesis as a part-time student and that turned out to be a blessing.