About
Chris Holden
MA Counseling
BFA Visual Art Studies
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts Studies from the University of North Texas and my Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward’s University. Prior to choosing a career in counseling, I held a variety of professional positions including retail, teaching classes for kids, as well as a variety of management positions: university bookstore textbook departments, financial data, and investment properties. I have volunteered with The Contemporary Austin (formerly Austin Museum of Art), Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, and the Texas Book Festival. I regularly attend workshops that focus on children & adolescents, parent training, expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, and integrating neuroscience with counseling. Over the years, my experience has shown me that I enjoy working with my community and sharing my passion for art. My goal is to work collaboratively with clients to explore the healing power of creativity and art-making - no prior art experience is necessary!
I live in Austin, TX with my husband and two dogs. I am passionate about books, yoga, art, travel, life in Texas, and LOST (quite possibly the greatest television series ever). You can find more information on all of these topics on the blog.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Professional Development:
MA Counseling
BFA Visual Art Studies
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts Studies from the University of North Texas and my Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward’s University. Prior to choosing a career in counseling, I held a variety of professional positions including retail, teaching classes for kids, as well as a variety of management positions: university bookstore textbook departments, financial data, and investment properties. I have volunteered with The Contemporary Austin (formerly Austin Museum of Art), Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, and the Texas Book Festival. I regularly attend workshops that focus on children & adolescents, parent training, expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, and integrating neuroscience with counseling. Over the years, my experience has shown me that I enjoy working with my community and sharing my passion for art. My goal is to work collaboratively with clients to explore the healing power of creativity and art-making - no prior art experience is necessary!
I live in Austin, TX with my husband and two dogs. I am passionate about books, yoga, art, travel, life in Texas, and LOST (quite possibly the greatest television series ever). You can find more information on all of these topics on the blog.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
- Texas Counseling Association
- Texas Art Education Association
Professional Development:
- EMDR: How the Brain Heals From Adversity. Wendy Byrd, LPC, LMFT. Austin AMFT - Austin, TX May 2017
- Coping with Loss Using Natural Essential Oils. The Christi Center (Second Stage Monday) - Austin, TX May 2017
- The Art of Awareness: Mindfulness and Meditation as a Healing Practice. Christine Calvert, LCDC. Austin Recovery - Austin, TX March 2017
- Texas Arts Advocacy Day. Texas State Capitol - Austin, TX February 2017
- Trauma Model Therapy: A Treatment Approach for Eating Disorders and Addictions. Colin A. Ross, M.D. Seton Mind Institute Behavioral Health Services - Austin, TX January 2017
- Texas Art Education Association Annual Conference. Hilton Anatole Hotel - Dallas, TX November 2016
- Trauma Treatment Part 2. Sunny Lansdale, Ph.D., LPC-S. YWCA - Austin, TX November 2015
- An Image-based Protocol for Addressing Compassion Fatigue in Healers. Megan Van Meter, MA, LPC-AT/S, ATR-BC. YWCA - Austin, TX October 2015
- Back to School Conference. Crystal Collier, PHD, LPC-S, Phillip Landry, LPC-I, Lori Holleran Steiker, PhD, Jill Ahrens Tucker, M.ED., LPC-S, George Youngblood, LCDC. The Council on Recovery - Austin, TX August 2015
- Focus on Teens. Angelica Beker, LPC-I, Christel Gilbreath, LCSW, Melanie Somerville, LPC. Sage Recovery & Wellness Center - Austin, TX June 2015
- Empowerment & Integration: Expressive Art Techniques with Abused Persons. Bethany Camp, LCSW. YWCA – Austin, TX July 2014.
- Science of High-Risk Behavior: Integration of Neuroscience in Counseling Practice. Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S. Austin Recovery – Austin, TX April 2014
