MODERN – CREATIVE – EVIDENCE BASED
Art Therapy Psychology
The Art Therapy Center of San Francisco offers a unique blend of evidence-based psychology and the art and science of creativity to help you move toward healing, growth, and meaningful transformation.
✨ Ways We Can Work Together:
- Psychotherapy for California residents
- Weekend Therapy Intensives
- Art Therapy Supervision & Consultation
- Workshops & Talks
Schedule a consultation Zoom call here
Or email for more information Amy@Amybackos.com
Leave a message: 415-592-6406
Want to learn more first? Keep reading below.
🧠 About My Approach
I specialize in creativity, trauma recovery, relationships, and sustainable transformation. With 30 years of clinical experience, I’ve worked with adults, teens, and children navigating trauma, chronic illness, grief, PTSD, substance use, and more.
- Licensed Psychologist in California (PSY24943)
- Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR 99-191)
- Educator, Researcher, and Author in art therapy, creativity, and trauma treatment
I blend Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Art Therapy to help clients move from survival to thriving. These two approaches give you tools that last — even long after therapy ends.
🎨 What Makes This Work Unique?
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven therapy that combines mindfulness, values, and behavior change to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and more.
- Art Therapy taps into your creativity to unlock insight, reduce stress, and foster clarity and joy — no art experience needed!
Together, these approaches help you:
- Find meaning and purpose
- Heal emotional pain
- Increase self-compassion
- Build more meaningful relationships
- Reclaim your voice and power
🧳 My Background
- Professor of Art Therapy Research at Dominican University
- Peer-reviewer for publications in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association and The Arts in Psychotherapy
- Author of three books translated into three languages
I’ve served in leadership and clinical roles at:
- Retired Chair of the Graduate Art Therapy Psychology Department at Notre Dame de Namur and Dominican University
- Researcher and psychologist at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers in San Francisco & Cleveland
- Rape Crisis Center, Center for Families & Children, Substance Abuse Recovery Centers
🌍 Global & Community Engagement
International Art Therapy retreats I have co-led many art therapy trips to Central America with VN Abroad and Viva-Nicaragua, led retreats to France, and collaborated on cross-cultural research in India. I believe in the power of creativity and compassion — across borders and in all walks of life.
🎥 Ready to Learn More?
- Discover how ACT and Art Therapy can transform your life
Schedule a complementary consultation Zoom call here
Email Amy@Amybackos.com
Leave a message: 415-592-6406
📧 Email Amy@Amybackos.com
📞 Phone or text | 💬 415-652-2440
Women-Focused ♀️ Gay-Friendly 🏳️🌈 Trans-Friendly 🏳️⚧️
The Art Therapy Center of the San Francisco Bay occupies the unceded Ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.