Telehealth Art Therapist & Counselor

Kristel Michele, MA, LPC, ATR

Ciao! I am excited for the honor and opportunity to bring the healing power of creativity into our therapeutic work together.

Who I am_

I am an ethnic white American whose parents emigrated from Italy and Germany, and because of my cultural upbringing, I am sensitive to hold space for others who also experience first- and second- generational expectations from loved ones. As an Italian-American and German-American, I realize the importance of family and also the challenges that come with family. I was raised in a military town in the Midwest and experimented with various forms of art-making all throughout my childhood and into university where I graduated with a degree in photography. I throughly enjoy connecting with others, especially through the love of food and pasta. In my free time, I can be found in the kitchen experimenting, gardening, hiking, making art, listening to true crime podcasts, or spending time with my husband and dog.

In my work with others_

I have worked with those needing support in grief and loss, bereavement, existential anxiety, general anxiety and depression, trauma and intergenerational trauma, racial trauma and stress, life transitions, attachment and relational issues with partners, cognitive impairment due to dementia, and other mental health disorders such as bipolar and schizophrenia.

I believe in developing an authentic and trusting relationship with my clients and feel strongly about working collaboratively with them to achieve their goals and uncover inner resiliency. Applying a person-centered, strengths-based approach to therapy, I also incorporate a framework of attachment, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, evidence-based art therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques into my trauma-informed counseling style.

I wholeheartedly believe ANYONE can benefit from the creative power of engaging in mean-making through art. As a registered art therapist, I believe that every person has the potential to tap into their creativity for health and healing. I do understand that some may prefer a more traditional talk therapy approach which I am able to provide as I am also a licensed professional counselor. Typical sessions tend to have a combination of both approaches and can be tailored to a client’s needs.

I am currently offering telehealth art therapy and trauma-informed counseling to people living throughout Colorado (including the Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder areas). I welcome working with adults 18+ from all walks of life. If after a free consult, you feel we are not a good therapeutic match, I can provide resources and referrals to help you find what you most need.

Schedule a free, 20 minute consult today!

Or call or text (720) 644-9133

“I love being an art therapist because I am able to offer a creative way for clients to process and integrate their experiences through Materials. As a therapist I am truly honored to witness my clients’ transformational, deep inner work.”

Kristel M. Phelps is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado and a Registered Art Therapist. Kristel graduated in 2020 from Naropa University with a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an emphasis in Transpersonal Art Therapy.