502: EMDR Art Therapy + Psychedelics with Jocelyn Fitzgerald

Oct 29, 2025

Join board-certified art therapist and EMDR consultant Jocelyn Fitzgerald as she explores the transformative power of creativity in trauma therapy. She shares her experiences working with Eritrean refugee boys, using art and EMDR to connect with nonverbal trauma. The conversation dives into how psychedelics can enhance creativity and neuroplasticity, along with practical techniques like bilateral scribbles for emotional regulation. Jocelyn emphasizes the essential role of humor and playful art in healing, showcasing creativity as a fundamental aspect of human development.

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ADVICE

Use Simple Creative Activations

Use bilateral scribbles, imagery, or art to activate clients nonverbally when words fail.
Implement brief creative exercises to access embodied material that talk therapy misses.

ANECDOTE

AI Art As An Entry Point

An adult client used AI art to depict his depleted heart and finally conveyed feelings to his wife.
The image broke through his resistance and produced emotional connection.

ADVICE

Be Pragmatic With Creative Tools

Be pragmatic about tools: accept AI or crafts if they help clients express themselves.
Use any creative medium—collage, gardening, cooking—that engages hands and senses.

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Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I'm joined by Therapist and EMDR Consultant Jocelyn Fitzgerald.

We discussed the integration of creativity in trauma therapy, exploring the power of EMDR combined with creative arts, which she has used in working with refugees. She shared about her book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies. The conversation also delves into the role of psychedelics in therapy, the neuroscience of creativity, and the essential nature of art in human development. Jocelyn shares practical applications for therapists and emphasizes the importance of humor in healing.

Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), licensed marriage and family therapist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, known for integrating creative arts into trauma therapy. She is the co-author of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids, and her work has been featured in Psychotherapy Networker.

With dual master’s degrees in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University, Jocelyn blends traditional talk therapy with expressive arts to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, and self-harming behaviors. She has worked in diverse clinical settings across the country and served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University and Purdue University. Jocelyn is passionate about helping others live more authentic, connected, and creative lives.

Check out Jocelyn Fitzgerald's Etsy shop here

Download a FREE resource Jocelyn created here.

Buy Jocelyn Fitzgerald's book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies, here.

Additional Resources:

Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training!

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Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website to learn about my upcoming retreat, put your name on the waitlist for TTN membership, find discounts on CE trainings, purchase my course, schedule a clinical consultation, access recommended resources and more.

Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network.

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