ANNA KEGELES

Anna is a New York-Based Art Therapist and Educator. After almost a decade of a successful career as a designer, she decided to dedicate herself to Art Education and then, eventually, to Art Therapy. Anna realized that she wanted to help others understand themselves better, find ways to express their feelings thoroughly, and ultimately reach their full creative potential.

Anna launched a series of Museum Art Tours and a workshop program based in Harlem for adults and teenagers. In addition, she did creative art expression seminars for Jewish youth organizations. While completing her Master's studies at NYU, Anna worked at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center, and there she worked with adults who pled not guilty to very serious crimes for the reason of insanity. There she led groups for patients with a whole range of diagnoses, including but not limited to patients struggling with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attachment disorder, and substance use disorders. Anna also worked with children with special needs, physical disabilities, and aggressive behavior at Titus School in downtown Manhattan. This experience made led to an interest in aggression and negative feelings to explore how anger can be put to good use and be a source of growth for the individual.

Since 2020 Anna has provided psychological first aid to victims of political and military violence in Belarus & Ukraine. She is a multi-marathoner, a triathlete, a mother of 3 kids, and a Harlem resident.