Today we’d like to introduce you to Geraldine Gomez, who goes by the nickname Gigi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
At age 6, Drawing Disney princesses was my starting point! My passion for drawing and art grew into an obsession. I explored various forms of art, from painting, collaging, and sculpting, to welding, but charcoal drawings will always hold a special place in my heart. In this exploration of art media, I tended to naturally express myself emotionally, unaware this skill would later prepare me for a career I hadn’t yet discovered.
As I got older, I knew I enjoyed art and understanding the “why’s” of human behavior. I started to think about my future and what path I wanted to take. Convinced that a career in Psychology or Art might not provide me with stability in the future, I headed into a career for Nursing. A field that was still within my interests as a “helper” and also involved the human body, another strong passion I had, only ignited by my obsession with Grey’s Anatomy at that time. However, while in my nursing program, I had an assignment that changed the course of my life. The assignment required me to research other professionals who worked alongside nurses, and that’s when I discovered ART THERAPIST. I could combine my two passions – art and psychology – into one career. I then made the difficult decision to drop out of Nursing school (yes, I said “drop out”, imagine my mom’s reaction), I changed my major to Psychology with a minor in Art and signed up as a volunteer at an Art Therapy non-profit organization… I never regretted that difficult decision.
Upon finishing my Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling in Virginia, I returned home to Houston, Texas where I continued to strengthen my skills and receive Texas licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and become a Registered Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse range of individuals, from families and children to adolescents and adults. My work has led me to a variety of unique and challenging settings, including domestic violence shelters, schools, psychiatric hospitals, medical facilities, and community-based organizations. Each setting has come with its own set of challenges and rewards, but through it all, I became committed to using my skills and experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Which is a huge reason why, in 2018, I began GG Art Therapy & Counseling, PLLC, my current art therapy private practice. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a colorful, fulfilling, meaningful life, and I am honored to be able to play a small role in helping people achieve that goal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
GG Art Therapy & Counseling, PLLC, didn’t start from a positive time in my life. In 2017, I experienced a devastating loss when Hurricane Harvey hit my home and community destroying all of my material belongings. It was a challenging time, but I was determined to rebuild, support my family, and move forward. However, just a few months later, I received more bad news when I learned that the community-based program where I had enjoyed working for many years was going to lose its funding, and I would have to be let go. I found myself unemployed and searching for opportunities.
I started to think about my long-term goals and aspirations. I had always harbored a dream of starting my own art therapy practice. With Hurricane Harvey taking what felt like “everything” at the time, I figured I might as well start my own business since I had nothing left to lose! GG Art Therapy & Counseling, PLLC, began in 2018. However, getting the business off the ground proved to be more difficult than I anticipated; at times, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to make it work. Even though I had completed everything legally necessary off my to-do list, I had to work hard to raise awareness of my practice and build trust within the community. The first year was a huge learning curve, it took patience, consistency, support from loved ones, and a willingness to seek knowledge. Despite past and continued challenges, I now feel much more confident in my abilities to reach the future I envisioned for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At GG Art Therapy & Counseling, PLLC, we offer a unique approach to therapy that combines traditional therapy with the power of creative expression. Children, teens, and adults have the option to incorporate art-making materials into their therapy sessions, providing a new and engaging way to express difficult emotions or thoughts. With the guidance of an Art Therapist, clients have the opportunity to explore different perspectives, witness progress through their own artwork, overcome anxieties, and increase their self-confidence. It’s talk therapy with a fun approach that can help unlock creativity and deeper understanding. Anyone can do Art Therapy!
In addition, I am also certified in Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR), which enables me to assist individuals dealing with PTSD, traumatic events, abuse of any kind, and any related trauma issues. Through the use of art making, the ITR process allows clients to address their trauma in a safe and comfortable manner. This approach is aimed at promoting healing and recovery, helping clients to overcome the negative impacts of their experiences and move forward in a positive way.
For those who are in College/University at GG Art Therapy & Counseling, we understand that the journey to college can be a daunting one. With years of experience working at a university admissions department and as a college admissions processor, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to gain acceptance. College counseling services are offered to help manage the anxiety involved in the application process and support high school students in meeting the expectations of college. Once accepted, transitioning to college life can be overwhelming with newfound independence and increased responsibilities. Our services include supporting college students to manage the anxieties of adjusting to college life and helping them balance priorities to achieve their goals.
Lastly, aspiring future art therapists who are embarking on their journey to become Registered Art Therapists (ATR) can benefit from supervision services, which help them meet the necessary requirements to become ATR credentialed. ATR supervision services provide tailored support to each student, with the aim of providing a nurturing and constructive environment that supports growth and development.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If I can share a bit about myself, it would be that the question I am often asked is, “How are you able to do this every day?” For me, it’s about respecting pain, acknowledging its presence, and listening to what it is asking. I don’t take responsibility for removing anyone’s pain. Instead, I see myself as a guide and the therapeutic art as a lantern, holding the light for clients as we embark on the path of their own healing, whatever that may look like for each individual. We may not choose the struggles and pains that come our way, but we can choose the direction we want to take. And I feel honored to walk alongside any soul who entrusts me on their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: ggartcounseling.com
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/geraldine-gigi-gomez-richmond-tx/438488 https://latinxtherapy.com/therapists/geraldine-gigi-gomez-lpc-s-atr-bc/
Image Credits
Geraldine “Gigi” Gomez
