ABOUT
Mary Pellicci Hamilton, MSAT, ATR-BC®, LPC, is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapistâ„ and Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Specializing in outpatient art therapy for children and adolescents, she supports those experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and social challenges.
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In a private practice setting, Mary works with children, teens, and their families, emphasizing emotional awareness, coping skills, resilience, and family collaboration. This approach helps build practical tools and navigate challenges in developmentally appropriate and meaningful ways.
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Families throughout Connecticut—primarily in Fairfield County and surrounding communities—are served through a strengths-based, trauma-informed framework. Treatment integrates art therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and play-based interventions, supporting both emotional expression and the development of effective, research-supported coping strategies.
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Advanced clinical training includes the Yale Child Study Center IICAPS model, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), child art therapy study at the master’s level in Turin, Italy, with Judith Rubin, and Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts and Play Therapy® with Cathy Malchiodi.
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In addition to clinical practice, Mary served as President of the Connecticut Art Therapy Association (CATA), playing a key leadership role in advocating for professional title protection and state licensure for art therapists. CATA is an affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Affiliations and Certifications
Advanced Training & Certifications
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Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma – Accepted into this innovative training in Global Mental Health, Mary advanced her expertise in trauma and recovery, learning strategies to support individuals and communities worldwide. Program studies were held in Orvieto, Italy.
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Master of Science in Art Therapy (MSAT)
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Board Certified Registered Art Therapistâ„ (ATR-BC®)
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Connecticut
Trauma & Community Response
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Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Mary relaunched the Connecticut Art Therapy Association (CATA) and contributed to the AATA Newtown Recovery Task Force.
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She implemented creative art therapy workshops for children in Newtown, including students at Sandy Hook Elementary, which she co-authored in the textbook Creative Interventions for Traumatized Children, edited by Cathy Malchiodi, PhD.
Professional Memberships
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American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
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American Counseling Association (ACA)
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Connecticut Art Therapy Association (CATA)