Lesley Barton
Art Therapist, Child Life Specialist, Developmental Therapist
Auburn,IN
Summary
Art therapist, certified child life specialist, and developmental therapist with over 26 years of experience in assessing and implementing therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents. Skilled in mentoring, trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and family-centered care. Dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships with families to achieve positive outcomes through evidence-based strategies. Enthusiastic about contributing to multidisciplinary teams and creating dynamic, supportive team environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Therapy and Child Life Professor
Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
01.2014 - Current
- Develop and implement cutting-edge art therapy and child life curricula for undergraduate and graduate counseling programs, integrating modern therapeutic approaches with digital learning platforms
- Special focus on grief and the hospitalized child as well as practical, hand-on skills and techniques
- Foster student development through personalized guidance, mentorship, and creating inclusive learning spaces that promote therapeutic understanding and growth
- Evaluate and enhance program effectiveness through student feedback analysis, adapting teaching methodologies to maximize learning outcomes
- Guide students through complex therapeutic concepts, fostering professional development while maintaining high academic standards and adhering to art therapy and child life professional guidelines
Practicum Facilitator and Supervisor
Marion Community Schools/ Indiana Wesleyan University
12.2016 - Current
- Developed strong connections in the community and organized and lead free art therapy support groups in the local middle schools and elementary schools
- Facilitated support groups focus on trauma, grief, understanding emotions, and developing healthy coping skills
- Evidence-based art therapy groups demonstrated a reduction in depression and increased awareness and use of coping skills.
- Strong relationship building between school admin, educators, and the university.
- Supervised art therapy practicum students
Developmental Therapist
Homefront Family Services
08.2003 - Current
- Design and implement individualized therapeutic interventions for children with developmental delays, fostering positive outcomes through evidence-based strategies and home-based care delivery
- Deliver family-centered care in home and virtual settings, ensuring comprehensive support
- Implement developmental assessments and create targeted intervention plans, while maintaining detailed progress documentation and outcome tracking
- Forster strong family partnerships and sustainable skill develop
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary care approaches with healthcare teams, ensuring holistic support and consistent progress monitoring
Art Therapist and Certified Child Life Specialist
Norton Children's Hospital
08.1999 - 06.2002
- Delivered child-focused and family centered care, enhancing emotional well-being during medical procedures and hospitalizations
- Designed specialized therapeutic interventions for pediatric patients, integrating art therapy with medical treatments to reduce anxiety and enhance recovery
- Implemented comprehensive family-centered care programs, coordinating with medical teams to enhance patient outcomes through specialized therapeutic activities
- Established effective coping strategies for children facing medical procedures, partnering with surgical teams to optimize patient experience and recovery
- Supervised interns, fostering professional development and clinical expertise
- Organized volunteer programs, enriching patient experience and support
- Developed and facilitated support groups and sibling programs, utilizing medical play and sand tray therapy to address psychological impacts of hospitalization
- Managed multi-faceted therapeutic interventions across various departments, including ER, PICU, burns, oncology, and outpatient clinics, ensuring consistent care delivery
Education
Master of Arts - Expressive Art Therapy
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY01-2000
Bachelor of Science - Art Therapy
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, INSkills
- Grief and Loss
- Family-centered care
- Trauma informed care
- Community outreach initiatives
- Therapeutic techniques
- Child/Adolescent development expertise
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Strong therapeutic rapport
- Group therapy
Additional Information - Volunteer And Community
- Licensed Therapeutic Foster & Adoptive Mom
- Community Grief Support Group Leader Preschool- Geriatric
- Conference Speaker
- Member of the Board of Directors for Embrace the Orphan
- Parent Advisor for Fort Wayne Center for Learning
- Active Church Member and leader in children and youth programs
Certification
- Registered Art Therapy (ATR), American Art Therapy Association 2002
- Board Certified Art Therapist (BC), American Art Therapy Association
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), Child Life Certification Commission, 2001- present
- Developmental Therapist, Indiana First Steps 2004- present
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Practicum Facilitator and Supervisor
Marion Community Schools/ Indiana Wesleyan University
12.2016 - Current
Art Therapy and Child Life Professor
Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
01.2014 - Current
Developmental Therapist
Homefront Family Services
08.2003 - Current
Art Therapist and Certified Child Life Specialist
Norton Children's Hospital
08.1999 - 06.2002
- Registered Art Therapy (ATR), American Art Therapy Association 2002
- Board Certified Art Therapist (BC), American Art Therapy Association
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), Child Life Certification Commission, 2001- present
- Developmental Therapist, Indiana First Steps 2004- present
Master of Arts - Expressive Art Therapy
University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science - Art Therapy
Indiana Wesleyan University
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