35: Art as a Healing Journey: Ardenna Downing's Story of Grief, Growth, and Creativity

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of art with Ardenna, an inspiring advocate for creative healing. Ardenna shares her deeply personal story of loss and resilience, starting with the death of her mother just before her 17th birthday and her grandfather when she was only 9. Growing up, she found herself surrounded by people who didn’t know how to process grief—and she didn’t understand it either.

During her junior and senior years, Ardenna began creating a portfolio and a grief journal, unknowingly laying the foundation for her healing. It wasn’t until later in life that she realized the profound impact art had on her ability to navigate loss and understand her world.

Ardenna’s passion for art grew into a mission to help others. She has facilitated art groups like Hands of Hope for survivors of domestic violence and worked in diverse settings, including mobile crisis teams, jails, nonprofit organizations, and with police officers. She discusses how art serves as both a medium for self-expression and a tool for understanding emotions, often using it to assess where clients are on their personal journey.

Looking ahead, Ardenna is launching online art groups in 2025 with themes inspired by famous artists and releasing a journal to help others explore art as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. Join us as Ardenna shares how creativity can provide a voice for the soul, inspire transformation, and offer hope in the face of life’s challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of art in processing grief and finding clarity.
• How art can be used as a tool for assessment and self-awareness.
• Ardenna’s plans for online art groups and her upcoming journal in 2025.
• Inspiring ways to use creativity to connect with your inner world.

Tune in to hear Ardenna’s heartfelt story and learn how art can open new doors to healing and personal growth!

Ardenna is a Professional Counselor licensed in California and Texas and has been a mental health therapist for approximately 15 years. She is an EMDR certified and Brainspotting therapist who has a career that spans from working in one of the largest family justice centers in the world to mobile crisis outreach and victim's services for police. Ardenna's passion is working with groups and has experience in the following settings: jail, hospital, shelters, and outreach centers. She is the author of a 40 day journal for those in their forties entitled "Forty for Forties: Transform and Reflect on your Life's Journey."

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Ardenna Downing's work and insights through the following links:

TikTok: @callerycounseling

Instagram: @callery_counseling

Facebook: callery counseling

website: www.callerycounseling.com