Meet Lyssa Harvey | Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Credentialed Art and Play Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lyssa Harvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lyssa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I am a teacher, therapist, artist and author.

When I went off to college in 1972 I was the oldest of 5. My father encouraged me to seek a career that would make me happy, but that would help me be financially stable. I graduated from The University of Georgia in 1976 with an Art Education degree,then off to England for my Masters in Art Therapy and finally obtaining my Ed.S from The University of Georgia. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, with credentials in Art and Play Therapy allowed me to create a special niche in counseling with my private practice The Art and Play Therapy Center of South Carolina.

Creating a career in counseling and the arts was a journey. There was not a job description for me. But this allowed me to become an entrepreneur in the arts.. creating work in many different environments. I had to go where I had never been; as well as where programs in the arts and healing have never been.. schools, hospitals, the SC Arts Commission, and finally building a private practice. Training, credentialing and mentoring others has become a way to create a legacy..to create a ripple effect in the arts and healing.

I am passionate about helping children, the arts, the environment and engaging with all people to make the world just a little better. My purpose in life is to help others, but my art is a gift that nourishes me and allows me to give back better.

I have recently retired after working for 50 years. Looking back.. I have had the best of all worlds. I was able to work counseling children and families and was able to use the arts and play as a vehicle for helping and healing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always love being an artist and teaching others art. When I was in middle school I created a summer art camp for the neighborhood children..
Raising my family and focusing on building a career in counseling, I had to push aside the artist, but it was always there patiently waiting. I was tentative even about calling myself an artist, until I was encouraged to revisit that part of me. It took years and was always joyful, but I am still surprised when people like my work. I don’t paint for others. I paint from an inner spiritual place and sometimes that doesn’t always look like what I think others will like. I have recently used my paintings as a voice for the preserving and calling attention to the beauty of SC’s fragile environment. My SC waterscapes are images to inspire others to pay more attention to the importance of our water and wetlands.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love SC… I have partnered with Charleston Outdoor Adventures located on Bowens Island in Charleston, SC.. They are the experts that speak about the environmental connection for by SC waterscapes. They are an environmental outdoor adventures company with eco-tours by boat, kyak and paddleboard of the surrounding wetlands, Morris Island, Fossil tours, dolphin tours and private fishing and photography tours. My favorite tour is the Full Moon Kyak tour!
charlestonoutdooradventures.com

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my Shoutout to all the SC Licensed Professional Counselors, Play therapists and Art Therapists that I have credentialed over the last 30 years. “May your creative light shine through those you have helped.”

Website: www.lyssaharveyart.com www.lyssaharvey.com

Instagram: lyssaloveslife lyssharveyart

Facebook: lyssaharveyart scartandplay

Image Credits
Professional photography by Lyssa Harvey, Ann McQuary, USC Press