An original founder, Chris has been a part of the ACED family since the beginning.  She is an artist, art therapist, scientist, and former president of the American Art Therapy Association. She holds a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Vermont College of Norwich University, and a Doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor (CEDS-C).

 With 35 plus years of experience, Chris has worked with a wide variety of people, yet her primary clinical focus is the treatment of eating disorders, self-harm and sexual abuse. She has worked in various settings including a position as the Lead Art Therapist at The Renfrew Center of Florida, an internationally respected eating disorder treatment program, prior to her move to Birmingham.

 She is an accomplished speaker, giving talks and hosting workshops on the power of art therapy in work with body image and neuroscience. She has multiple publications and participates as an author and editor for books and journals in her field.

 Chris believes in the potential of each and every person – that we’re all capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for. She strives to help clients develop a safe, creative space where they can explore and grow their untapped potential and feel without fear.

 An avid plant lover and enthusiast, growth is constantly occurring throughout the flourishing gardens of Chris’ home. Inside her home resides a clan of dogs that “flunked out of obedience school” and several works of art underway.

A perfect Saturday includes coffee and a good book in the morning. Later in the day might find her spending time throwing clay on the potter’s wheel, grabbing a beverage with friends, and then chilling on the couch watching a good show and snuggling the dogs.