I’m Eileen Call. I’m going to make the assumption that you’re here to learn more about me and if I would be a good fit for your needs. I obviously can’t answer this question for you; that is for you to decide. But, I can introduce myself in a way that might help your decision making process. I’ll explain a little about what brought me to this career path, and then I will finish up with some fun tidbits about my life.
I began my journey towards becoming an art therapist at a very young age, although I didn’t know it then. I fell in love with the arts during my elementary schooling. I leaned how to paint, draw, sculpt, photograph… but the piece that had the largest impact on my creativity was imagination. I believe in the importance of imagination and exploration in order to grow into who we are as humans. I continued to grow in my love of all things creative during my high school years, and began to experiment more with photography. It was then that I decided to study Fine Arts in college. You see, art isn’t just drawing and painting, no, it’s expressing yourself in a way that words and writing cannot. For me, making art was a way to learn who I was and how I was going to fit within this world.
I also had another love that influenced this path towards becoming an art therapist. I have a love of helping people and understanding who they are. I was raised in a family that valued empathy and kindness, love and support, resilience and honesty. As I was completing my Fine Art degree in undergraduate school, I stumbled upon the profession of art therapy. It all clicked into place. This was the path for me. Becoming an art therapist would enable me to be in a position where I could help people understand themselves, heal, and grow through the use of art materials and creativity. I completed my Master’s of Art in Art Therapy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
I was raised in a family that valued empathy and kindness, love and support, resilience and honesty.
During my graduate studies I held internships that allowed me to work with many different populations. I worked with teens and young women at an eating disorder clinic. I assisted in groups at an adult day care center working with elderly dementia patients. I drove around the art cart at Simon Cancer Center. I worked with disabled youth and refugees through Art of the Soul. And finally, I completed my final internship and was hired by the Indiana Center for Children and Families, where I used art therapy to help children and adolescents process trauma from abuse. I worked at that location for more than two years. Through these various internships and positions I was able to identify my ideal populations. I thoroughly enjoy working with children, adolescent girls and adult women.
Now, to the fun stuff! A few fun tidbits of information about me:
I love love love love love animals!! My husband and I have two wonderful dogs, a very playful cat and a handful of chickens. Growing up, we had dogs, cats and horses.
I start everyday with a hot cup of coffee, cream or no cream is perfectly fine.
I am a huge advocate for limited time on electronics. I find the most peace when I am outside hiking, camping, swimming, or just sitting. Fresh air is the best medicine for the soul.
Obviously, I am an artist. I have spent the most time developing my skill and love for photography. But, I also enjoy working with watercolor paints, charcoal, colored pencil and good ol’ graphite.
If there is anything else that you want to know about me, please ask away in my contact form or through an email. I hope this aided your decision making process a little. I understand it’s difficult to seek help in a way that you may have not done before. Chat soon!