Gabriela Gamez |
Gaby's interest in creativity, early childhood development and human connections led her to leave behind her early years in the Advertising industry to pursue a Masters degree in the Mental Health field of Art Therapy. She has been a registered and board certified art therapist since 2009 initiating her professional experience at NYU Langone Medical Center. Her leadership skills moved her into a senior role and became coordinator of services for 3 pediatric units. During that time she gained experience with medically fragile children, adolescents and young adults. Over the years she she has participated in multiple conferences as a presenter and as a forever learner. She has also been invited as a guest lecturer at NYU University, Long Island University, University of the Incarnate Work and St. Mary's University. Gaby has been teaching at University of the Incarnate Word an introduction to art therapy course. She has been providing mentorship since 2012 to those seeking to join the Expressive Arts field and peer support to those already in diverse Mental Health field tracks.
Gaby relocated from New York City to San Antonio in 2013. She has worked at Methodist Children's hospital through Tracy's Kids - a grant based art therapy program born in Washington DC. She has also done contract work with multiple community organizations over the last 10 years. Gaby is an active participant and advocate of Art Therapy through various local events in the San Antonio community and throughout her teaching experiences with middle school students and undergraduates. For the last 7 years she has been leading enrichment services at her home-studio in individual and group sessions. In 2023 she has added Clay Field Therapy as part of her services. She is currently being supervised as she continues her training in this modality. Gaby has a deep interest on the growth and development of all individuals regardless of age and abilities; all cultures and all walks of life. Her years of experience with underserved populations, missionary work, community work, clinical interventions and many volunteering hours, lead her give birth to her Creative Studio for Wellness. A project she held close to her heart for many years to enhance life experiences. She's a critical thinker, yet driven by her heart, who will work hard to help people find their authentic voice, to feel witnessed as they share their story. In June of 2024, Gaby will be returning to serve medical fragile children, this time at Driscoll's Children's Hospital - Rio Grande Valley. However, she will remain committed to teaching, to being a support to her peers and new generations of mental health practitioners as well as serving educators and the communities, as together we help build resources for healing. |
When I begun my transition into becoming an art therapist in the Fall of 2007 a couple of months later, Aidan was born. My sister’s first child. When she was almost 6 months into her pregnancy doctors found an abnormal development in the his brain. The damage was unknown and it was a matter of waiting until his birth and following his own thrive for us to learn day by day what his abilities would look like. Before his first year he was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
Despite the fact that he is entirely dependent (no head and trunk control, can’t sit on his own and is non-verbal), Aidan is a happy, hard working, loving teenager (almost 17 years!). He is smart and enjoys all the things every child his age likes. He reads, loves math, sports and music. There is no doubt that what’s been the main contributor for his achievements has been the personalized, tailored, loving-caring approach his parents and family along with a dedicated team of therapists have provided to him all along. I too, have been closely involved in the support of his growth and development. Constantly in quest of the things that will help him fulfill his potential and become the healthiest, happiest human. While always on the search for medical advances, psychological input, and physical goals, it has always been a “one-day -at-a-time”, meeting him where he is, on his highs and lows and introducing him to new challenges as it is fit in the process.
I like to think that it is no coincidence that life took me into this professional path. The decision to become an art therapist and my interest in developmental growth working with medically fragile children, chronically and terminally ill patients has been in my heart even before Aidan was born. Yet, this drive and passion that lived in my heart are meant to continue to service him and to be put at the service of others who I have the privilege to meet or even just see through the backseat window of this drive.
In the uniqueness of each individual lays a heart that holds a story that is waiting to be heard. There is no perfect, or right way to get somewhere, to learn, to achieve. There are many ways. The most important lesson is that it is much richer and effective when you don’t do it alone. Sometimes having an active witness, sometimes a silent one, but always the supporting presence of another beating heart. I feel called to be a witness of your story, to serve as a holding space, to provide presence in a rushed, fast paced world. I don’t feel special because I get to do this. It is a humbling experience every single time.
Creating opportunities makes a huge difference in someone’s life. Everyone's life. These are windows for growth, enrichment, empowerment that bring joy and happiness. I strongly believe it and I would like to join the efforts that you as a parent, or a caregiver are already doing towards providing the most enriching life experiences for your loved ones. To join you in this search of how to best support a healthy development and ongoing growth for your loved one, or perhaps for yourself.
I thank you for the opportunity to contribute in the fulfillment of your child’s potential or your own. In experiencing the joys of life, and the human experience to connect to self and to others.
I look forward to sharing a space with you.
Warmly, Gaby Gámez
Despite the fact that he is entirely dependent (no head and trunk control, can’t sit on his own and is non-verbal), Aidan is a happy, hard working, loving teenager (almost 17 years!). He is smart and enjoys all the things every child his age likes. He reads, loves math, sports and music. There is no doubt that what’s been the main contributor for his achievements has been the personalized, tailored, loving-caring approach his parents and family along with a dedicated team of therapists have provided to him all along. I too, have been closely involved in the support of his growth and development. Constantly in quest of the things that will help him fulfill his potential and become the healthiest, happiest human. While always on the search for medical advances, psychological input, and physical goals, it has always been a “one-day -at-a-time”, meeting him where he is, on his highs and lows and introducing him to new challenges as it is fit in the process.
I like to think that it is no coincidence that life took me into this professional path. The decision to become an art therapist and my interest in developmental growth working with medically fragile children, chronically and terminally ill patients has been in my heart even before Aidan was born. Yet, this drive and passion that lived in my heart are meant to continue to service him and to be put at the service of others who I have the privilege to meet or even just see through the backseat window of this drive.
In the uniqueness of each individual lays a heart that holds a story that is waiting to be heard. There is no perfect, or right way to get somewhere, to learn, to achieve. There are many ways. The most important lesson is that it is much richer and effective when you don’t do it alone. Sometimes having an active witness, sometimes a silent one, but always the supporting presence of another beating heart. I feel called to be a witness of your story, to serve as a holding space, to provide presence in a rushed, fast paced world. I don’t feel special because I get to do this. It is a humbling experience every single time.
Creating opportunities makes a huge difference in someone’s life. Everyone's life. These are windows for growth, enrichment, empowerment that bring joy and happiness. I strongly believe it and I would like to join the efforts that you as a parent, or a caregiver are already doing towards providing the most enriching life experiences for your loved ones. To join you in this search of how to best support a healthy development and ongoing growth for your loved one, or perhaps for yourself.
I thank you for the opportunity to contribute in the fulfillment of your child’s potential or your own. In experiencing the joys of life, and the human experience to connect to self and to others.
I look forward to sharing a space with you.
Warmly, Gaby Gámez
A peek into the fist studio space born in 2016 on Annie Street in Olmos Park, San Antonio, Texas
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The studio space grew and evolved in its look over the years.
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