BY EMMA GEARY - DECEMBER 20, 2024

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on what the year has brought us, and all of the ways we can grow, learn, and thrive in 2025. If you want to get to the heart of healing, therapy is often a supportive fast-track to self-discovery and improvement, but not all therapy looks the same, nor should it! Today, we’re talking to Maddie Johnson, who utilizes the creative process and her training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to bring uniquely transformative therapy offerings through founding Heart Space.

Whether you want to bring intention and healing to your life through creativity or feel apprehensive about trying traditional talk therapy, Heart Space is a vibrant studio that fosters creativity, connection, and self-discovery through art therapy. Maddie’s story is one of passion, resilience, and a deep belief in the power of art to heal.

A Journey from Traditional Therapy to Creative Healing

Maddie’s journey into therapy began with her own experiences of grief as a young adult. Finding solace and expression through art during that challenging time ignited her passion for using creativity as a therapeutic tool. While completing her Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) program, Maddie simultaneously trained in art therapy—a discipline that resonated deeply with her.

Maddie shared what originally drew her to the practice, saying, “The use of art for healing and wellness is what originally drew me into my career as a therapist. Art supported me in my grief journey as a young adult. As I went along in my graduate program and internships, I was really nurtured into talk therapy. I love that part of my work, but art is where my heart lies.”

Although Maddie spent years in traditional therapy spaces, working with high-acuity patients and in-home therapy, she always found ways to integrate art into her practice. She reflected on the challenges she faced in advocating for art therapy: “I carved art therapy into most of those experiences, but it was always a battle advocating for the field of art therapy. I helped start my art therapy internship at PrairieCare, at Children’s, and at St. David’s. Those experiences shaped how I show up with people and deepened my compassion and understanding of the vastness of existing in the world.”

Feeling the need for more impactful, meaningful relationships with her clients and a desire to fully embrace art therapy, Maddie decided to create her own space. This led to the birth of Heart Space, a studio where creativity and mental health meet.

The Heart of Art Therapy: Process Over Product

At Heart Space, Maddie emphasizes the mantra of "process over product." In art therapy, the act of creating—rather than the end result—is where healing begins. Through the creative process, individuals can access emotions and experiences that may be difficult to articulate verbally. This makes art therapy particularly beneficial for those who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy or who are searching for a different way to explore their inner world.

“Art making is a mind-body experience,” Maddie explains. “Just as trauma is stored in our body, art has a way of accessing experiences and emotions that talk therapy may be unable to reach. People often think they have to be an artist or creatively minded to benefit from art therapy, but that is not the case. It’s about the process of art making and what it reflects and evokes.”

Building Community Through Creativity

Art therapy offers a unique path to healing and self-discovery. Heart Space’s workshops highlight the transformative power of creativity in navigating life’s transitions, and her individual offerings invite people to dive deeper in a safe, more private space.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind Heart Space, Maddie shared, “The thing that made me take the leap and open Heart Space was my Mothering+Me workshop. As a mother myself, I was looking for creative spaces to connect with myself and other mothers. Early in motherhood, I felt the intensity of emotions but had nowhere to displace them. I used my art practice to process the struggles of trying to become pregnant and postpartum challenges. Following the first workshop, I felt an intense itch to create a space for people to escape and connect with themselves in a warm and inspiring environment.”

Art therapy is not limited to addressing trauma or mental health struggles. It’s a practice that benefits anyone looking to reconnect with their creative side. Maddie describes how children naturally use art to regulate and express themselves, but as we grow older, many of us lose touch with this innate tool. Heart Space invites everyone—even those who feel they “used to be creative”—to rediscover the joy and healing power of art. We especially love the Adult Create workshops as a way to connect with art as a tool for self-expression, stress relief and relaxation.

Heart Space serves as a community hub. Maddie’s vision is to bring people together with open hearts and open minds, fostering connection through shared creative experiences. Whether it’s a group workshop or a one-on-one session, Heart Space is a sanctuary for vulnerability and growth.

Reframing Misconceptions About Therapy

Maddie addresses common misconceptions about therapy, emphasizing that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. “Attending therapy doesn’t make you weak,” she says. “Yes, it’s an investment, but your brain is another organ in your body, and it’s a complicated one. Therapy helps you navigate life’s stressors and successes without bias or judgment. When we are self-aware, we show up better for the people around us.”

She also dispels the myth that art therapy is only for artists. “A major misconception about art therapy is that you have to be good at art to do it. We welcome anyone with a curious and open heart,” Maddie says.

“Art making is a vulnerable thing,” Maddie reflects. “There is much hesitation when people first come in, and by the end of their time, they are fully into it. It’s the biggest gift to hold space for people to embrace their vulnerability and have fun in the process.”

Advice for Aspiring Creatives

When asked what advice she would give her younger self in the early stages of starting her business, Maddie candidly shared, “It’s okay to fail—and buckle up, it’s a lot of work!” Despite the challenges, her dedication to creating a space where people can explore their creativity and mental health continues to drive her.

Discover Your Heart Space

Heart Space is more than an art therapy studio—it’s a place of transformation, connection, and discovery. Whether you’re navigating life’s challenges or simply seeking a creative outlet, Maddie’s compassionate approach and belief in the power of art make Heart Space a destination for healing and growth.

To learn more about Heart Space or to book a session, visit heartspacetherapy.org, and stay in the loop on the latest events by following Heart Space on Instagram.

Discover the Healing Power of Art Therapy with Heart Space

A Journey from Traditional Therapy to Creative Healing