In this thought-provoking episode of Perspectives Podcast, Valerie sits down with Carmen Oprea, an art therapist, researcher, and the visionary behind the International Art Therapy Conference.

Together, they explore the evolution of art therapy, its impact on global communities, and the necessity of bridging creative modalities to enhance the field. Carmen shares her journey from Romania to Canada, her passion for uniting art therapists worldwide, and the transformative power of creativity in healing. The discussion dives into the growing recognition of art therapy, the impact of neuroscience on validating artistic healing, and the increasing need to integrate diverse creative modalities. Carmen reflects on the challenges of curating an international conference and the importance of honoring cultural perspectives in therapeutic work. Together, they explore the role of art therapy in addressing grief, trauma and collective healing in a polarised world. 📌 Looking to the Future – As art therapy continues to grow in recognition, Carmen sees a shift in collective understanding: “There’s more and more evidence, and we don’t need to prove it anymore—we just need to do the work.” Join us as we uncover how art therapy continues to break barriers and why it is becoming a crucial force in mental health worldwide. 📌 Episode Timeline & Key Topics: 00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction: Valerie welcomes Carmen and highlights her contributions to the art therapy world. 02:00 – 06:00 | From Romania to Canada: Carmen’s journey into art therapy and how her artistic background shaped her career. 06:00 – 10:00 | The Instinctive Power of Art: Why art therapy feels "invented" by those who practice it and how it connects across cultures. 10:00 – 15:00 | Science Meets Creativity: How neuroscience is proving what ancient cultures have always known about art’s healing properties. 15:00 – 20:00 | Founding the International Art Therapy Conference: Carmen’s inspiration to create a global platform for therapists. 20:00 – 25:00 | Trends in Art Therapy: The rising demand for trauma-informed care and interdisciplinary approaches. 25:00 – 30:00 | Challenges in the Field: Addressing misconceptions, polarization, and the need for global collaboration. 30:00 – 35:00 | The Future of Art Therapy: Where the profession is headed and the role of advocacy in shaping policies. 35:00 – 41:00 | Final Thoughts: The importance of bridging creative modalities and Carmen’s vision for upcoming summits. 

https://www.artstherapies.org

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