Ann Marie is a dedicated graduate student intern in her second year of the Master's in Mental Health Counseling Art Therapy program at Lesley University. With over twenty years of experience as an educator, primarily at Cliff Valley School in Atlanta, she has transitioned from teaching to expressive arts therapy, driven by a deep commitment to helping children and young people explore feelings that cannot always be expressed through words.

She believes in the power of play and art therapy to support emotional regulation, sensory integration, and connection with others. By emphasizing structure, safety, and creative freedom, she aims to create a therapeutic environment where her clients and their families feel empowered and understood.

Ann Marie works under the direct supervision of Christy Burkett, LPC & Director of Gaia Counseling, an expert in play and family therapy, and Alexandra Norby, LPC/Board Certified Art Therapist and clinical skills supervisor at Lesley University. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, both of which inform her holistic approach to therapy.

In addition to mentoring hundreds of students over her long teaching career, Ann Marie is also a proud parent and stepparent to three young adults, ages 21, 30, and 32. Beyond counseling, her creative work includes ceramics, mixed media, cooking, and gardening.

Ann Marie can be reached at annmarie@gaiacounseling.com