Marie Julie Deschamps
Ph.D., LPC-A, ATR-P
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Registered Art Therapist Provisional
- Virtual & In-Person Groups
- Wednesday Afternoon/Evenings
Works With
- Kids (7+)
- Teens
- Adults
Areas Of Focus
- Grief & Bereavement
- Perinatal/Postpartum Mental Health
- Teens with Neurodivergence
- Cross-cultural Adjustment
- Cancer, Palliative Care, & Chronic Illness
- Children’s Expression & Development
Groups Offered
- Art Therapy
Languages
- English
- Spanish
- French
License # 99750
I am an art therapist and counselor with international experience supporting children, teens, adults, and families through grief, illness, neurodivergence, and major life transitions. I provide therapy in English, French, and Spanish, and I am passionate about creating a safe space for people from diverse backgrounds to express themselves and feel understood.
My approach combines art therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). You don’t need artistic skill to benefit from art therapy. It’s about expression, discovery, and transformation. Whether through painting, building, or creating with everyday materials, art can give voice to feelings that are difficult to put into words and help build resilience.
I have worked in hospitals, schools, and community settings across the United States, Europe, and Latin America, including clinical roles at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Hospital General Dr Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City. My areas of focus include grief and bereavement, medical art therapy for cancer and chronic illness, perinatal and postpartum mental health, and emotional support for children and teens with neurodivergence.
Group Art Therapy
I currently offer group art therapy on a pro bono basis, with sessions held monthly. These groups include both open studio sessions and structured therapeutic groups, each providing a supportive space for creative expression and connection.
Open Studio
Open Studio is a welcoming environment where participants can freely explore art materials. It is not an art class, and no prior experience is needed. Whether painting, building, or creating with found objects, the focus is on expression and discovery rather than the final product.
Structured Group Art Therapy
Structured Group Art Therapy is available for children (ages 7–12), teens, and adults. Sessions are themed around topics such as grief, support for new parents, emotional regulation, and resilience. These groups blend psychoeducation, CBT-based coping strategies, and creative processes to help participants express themselves safely, develop practical skills, and connect with others. For children and teens, the combination of play, metaphor, and art helps them navigate neurodivergence, cultural adjustment, and family changes while fostering authentic expression and healthy emotional regulation.
Therapy Modalities
- Art Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Medical Art Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Training & Experience
- Leadership, International Shared Interest Group, American Art Therapy Association
- Member and Psychosocial Committee Associate, Sociedad Latinoamericana de Pediatría Oncológica (SLAOP)
- Leadership Board, Expressive Arts Without Borders
- PhD in Expressive Therapies – Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
- Master’s Degree in Counseling and Art Therapy – Edgewood College, Madison, WI
- Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Governance – London School of Economics & Sciences Po Paris
- Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Pre-Med, Minor in Gender Studies – Macalester College, MN (cum laude)
- Clinical Externship – Pain Psychology and Pediatric Psychology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Diploma in Psycho-Oncology – Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City with clinical internship at Adult and Pediatric Oncology, Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”
- Certification in Adult Art Psychotherapy – Instituto Mexicano de Psicoterapia de Arte (IMPA), Mexico City
- Certification in Art and Play Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents – Instituto Mexicano de Psicoterapia de Arte (IMPA), Mexico City
- Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health – Asociación Mexicana de Psicología Hospitalaria / UNAM
- Post-graduate Diploma in Art Therapy – Metáfora, Barcelona, Spain
- Therapeutic Clowning Intensive – Dr. Patch Adams’ Gesundheit Institute, Mexico City
- Art-Based Research Training – KU Leuven, Belgium & Florida State University (online)
- Innovation in Healthcare Bootcamp – MIT and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
States Licensed In
- Texas
Life Outside Of Work
Outside of the therapy room, I am a painter, sculptor, and writer who exhibits under the name Maya del Campo. I also enjoy swimming, hiking with my children, and discovering new foods. Creativity is at the heart of my life and my practice, and it can open powerful pathways to healing and connection.
More About Marie:
Dr. Deschamps holds a PhD in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University, a Master’s in Counseling and Art Therapy from Edgewood College, and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris. Her career has spanned hospitals, community settings, and academic institutions in Europe, Latin America, and the United States, with a specialization in psycho-oncology, pain management, palliative care, and grief.
She has practiced at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Hospital General Dr Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, supporting children, adolescents, and adults living with serious illness and loss. As a visiting scholar at The New School University in New York, she researches the role of artificial intelligence and attunement in therapy. She is the co-creator of Icanfeel and Wecanfeel, digital tools that help patients and families communicate symptoms and emotions in oncological care.
Before becoming a therapist, she worked as a project manager in technology, corporate, and NGO sectors. She also spent two years traveling the world interviewing people about optimism. These experiences, along with becoming a mother, shaped her ability to draw from diverse perspectives and to connect creativity with healing.
