“Lotus flowers will only grow in the mud. It is the mud of life that offers the nutrients for our souls to strengthen and our hearts to grow.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Hello! My name is Tyleah Palmer. I am an African American graduate-level Art Therapist and Professional Counselor currently completing my M.A. in Art Therapy & Counseling at Southwestern College and the New Earth Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Entering a PWI for my graduate training opened my eyes to a difficult truth about the field I love: art therapy has not historically valued people who look like me. It has overlooked our contributions, erased our presence from its history, and often uplifted the very systems that oppress us. As I learned more about the field’s origins and narratives, my confidence—and at times, my sense of belonging—was shaken.
But this realization also became a catalyst.
On this blog, I share my journey of entering the field as an African American woman, navigating spaces not built with me in mind, and reclaiming my place within them. I write to name what’s been missing, to honor the communities and ancestors who have always used creativity as survival, expression, and liberation, and to imagine an art therapy landscape that truly includes us.
My hope is to build a community of healers, artists, cultural workers, and future therapists who believe in the power of art as a path to healing, justice, and personal transformation. I’m here to explore new avenues for integrating the arts, uplift voices from the margins, and carve out a space where authenticity, culture, and creativity can thrive.
Thank you for being here. I’m glad we get to walk this path together.
uniheART Therapy 