August 2025
I’m featured in the Living Well part of the August 2025 issue of Lehigh Valley Magazine! Angela asked me a few questions about how I got into Art Therapy over the last few years…
When her art students began to pour their hearts out to her over scissors, paper and glue, Melanie Linder took steps to find out how to best support them, leading her to obtain her certification as an art therapy practitioner. Today she works with everyone from children to young adults, helping them manage their feelings as they create collages and find a moment of peace.
Tell us about your art background.
I started my art career in graphic design, but I got sidetracked (in a good way) by a handful of other creative opportunities—sign-making, jewelry design and custom wedding invitations. All of that somehow led me to create a line of affordable graphic art prints called Spread the Love. I enjoyed a bit of success with that, even landing on Oprah’s Favorite Things gift guide. But I was a one-woman operation, and keeping pace with orders left very little time for my favorite part of the job: creating new artwork. When my first daughter was born, I put Spread the Love on pause and got back to the things I love—painting, sketching, digital illustration and collaging. Today you can find my work online, in local boutiques and art shows or at my studio in Kutztown, where I also hold art therapy sessions and the occasional collage workshop.
What led you to expand your art into a therapeutic setting?
Art has always been therapeutic for me; I just didn’t realize I could share the experience with others. The first hint came while I was teaching collage courses at the GoggleWorks in Reading. During periods of handwork—cutting, arranging, gluing—my students inexplicably opened up and shared these highly personal stories. Experiences, beliefs, opinions…sometimes traumatic, always emotional. I felt totally unprepared for these outpourings. What was an appropriate response? (Was I even allowed to respond?) I made it my mission to learn all I could about providing support in a creative setting. The second hint came when a friend, a professor of counseling education, invited me to run a collage workshop for her graduate students as part of a unit on alternative therapies. That process introduced me to the history of art therapy and the brain science behind it, all of which helped explain what I was experiencing with my students. I was hooked.
Who can benefit from art therapy?
Everyone can experience benefits from art therapy. The practice is built upon neurological concepts—activating certain areas of the brain while quieting others. For example, an overactive amygdala (a little almond shaped area in your temporal lobe) is thought to produce negative emotions like fear, anxiety, anger and sadness. But stimulating your prefrontal cortex area through activities like art-making and journaling has been shown to reduce amygdala activity, resulting in improved emotional regulation, decision making and problem solving. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t benefit from that!
Tell us about the art therapy classes that you lead.
My art therapy classes are structured for teens and tweens coping with anxiety, so we focus on activating that prefrontal cortex area and quieting that amygdala. We often begin with a mindfulness exercise to ground us and bring our attention to the present moment. We then spend about 45 minutes collaging to a prompt or theme, which is one of my favorite prefrontal cortex stimulators. We finish the class by discussing the student’s collage—what it represents to them, why they chose the images they chose, how they feel about those choices. I encourage students to also journal their findings (another prefrontal cortex stimulator) so they can remember what they felt in that moment. As a practitioner, I’m not licensed to counsel anyone beyond that; I am simply facilitating a safe, healthy experience that may uncover new feelings and ideas. Licensed therapists often recommend me as part of a larger healing journey, and my students can bring those feelings and ideas back to their therapy sessions.
How do you incorporate mindfulness into art?
One facet of mindfulness is becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings without needing to change or judge them. Collage is like the embodiment of that idea. You are choosing imagery, cutting it into shapes and combining it…almost without thought or intention. It’s a very in-the-moment activity. When it’s complete, you can then ask questions about the choices you made—without judgment. It’s really an act of discovery, observing yourself almost like an outsider and becoming aware of thoughts and feelings you might not otherwise have noticed.
What have you learned through your experience helping teens and tweens navigate anxiety?
They want to talk! I’m always surprised by how much even a seemingly shy teen or tween will share in the right environment and mood. They have very real stressors in their lives, just like all of us. I hear about school, sports, relationships, managing expectations and even money and future planning. And, finally, I’ve learned that we don’t have enough (or any) time built into our daily schedules for this type of downloading, processing, etc. My students really seem to value the time and space the classes give them.
What do you hope people will take away from your art therapy classes?
A deeper connection with themselves, and some new methods for calming their nervous system. We are bombarded with information all day, especially if we use social media. It’s so easy to let our attention get pulled away from ourselves and to let our nervous system get excited. I hope my classes provide a moment of quiet and calm. A serene interruption to the intensity of the rest of our day. That is what art-making does for me—it forces me to slow down and put my brain in a lower gear for a while. I believe everyone should make time for that.
Describe your morning routine. Is there anything you can’t start your day without?
My morning routine starts with getting my family up and into their days as happily as possible. My husband and I tag-team most of the chores—packing lunches, ensuring permission slips are signed, finding lost shoes, socks and hair brushes. I have to check myself constantly to maintain a light, carefree attitude. When time is short, the vibe can go south so quickly; keeping things light is a constant exercise in restraint, redirection and compassion. Once everyone is out the door, I take a moment of peace for myself while I enjoy some coffee. I love watching the birds and animals in our yard, especially our little orange yard cat inspecting the edges of a nearby pond.
What about your evening routine?
We are an early-to-bed, early-to-rise sort of family. Dinner is usually as early as 5 p.m., and we like to eat together. We try to make time for decompression and fun in the evenings—playing outside, watching a show or movie, video games, music, whatever. We have a very family-centered lifestyle at the moment. I know that doesn’t last forever, so I’m holding it close.
What is something you love to indulge in?
Food. We are a family of foodies. I love to cook; it’s definitely one of my love languages. We all love snacks and candy and trying fun new sweets and treats from around the world. We just tried those popular crystal candies called Silky Gems and had so much fun trying the different flavors. My daughters even love raw oysters and trying funky cheeses. It’s an absolute indulgence, and I’m so thankful to have it!
What are a few healthy habits you try to practice throughout the day?
Paying attention to my mind-body connection. When I feel overwhelmed, I try to take a step back and give myself time to breathe, relax and regroup. I focus on my jaw and hips—the two places I hold tension. I also forgive myself for the many, many mistakes I make. I do not strive for perfection. I listen to music that makes me feel good. I do resistance workouts and bike or walk daily. I make it a point to find joy in simplicity and nature and be thankful for what I have.
Do you have a personal mantra you’d like to share?
I guess it would be “Be kind to yourself!” And be willing to pivot. Sticking to something that’s causing pain might not be the best course.
