How I’d Grow a Membership for Art Therapists (Even Though I’m Not One)

I was recently asked how I’d grow a membership program for mental health professionals who use art therapy.

And let me start with this: I’m not a mental health expert. I’m not an art therapy expert either. However, I do help people grow things—programs, communities, and ideas—and I have a method that works when you’re trying to figure out what to do next, especially when you're stuck or in unfamiliar territory.

And that’s precisely what growing a membership like this can feel like. You know the value is there. You know the work is powerful. But the people you’re trying to serve are likely exhausted, overwhelmed, and spread too thin already.

So, how do you create something that reaches them?

Here’s where I’d start.

You already have the answers (even if you don’t see them yet)

The first thing is that the answer is already there.

It’s in the leader’s lived experience. It’s in the power of art therapy itself. Somewhere in all of that is a process that will not only help the community grow but also serve the people in it.

We don’t always need to go looking for new ideas. Most of the time, the best ideas are already within us. We just need a system to help surface and organize them.

My system: Journal. Act. Celebrate.

Since I don’t know the exact framework of art therapy, I’d start with my process. Then, as the leader gets more grounded and starts capturing insights, we’d use those insights to shape a process that is rooted in their approach.

Here’s what I’d do:

Step 1: Journal each morning

Answer five simple questions:

1. What can I celebrate about yesterday?

2. What is my goal right now?

3. What is and isn’t working?

4. What do my core values say to do next?

5. What action can I take today?

This sets the tone. It gives clarity, energy, and a way to stay focused even in the chaos.

Step 2: Take a few aligned actions

Each day, take one to three small steps that move the group forward.
That might mean reaching out to someone.
Creating a new tool.
Or just thinking deeply about what value you can bring to your members today.

And because this is about art therapy, I’d ask:
How can I use the tools of art therapy to take this action?
How can I use the process itself to support me while I build this?

Step 3: Capture what you’re learning

This is an essential part.

Every conversation. Every insight. Every frustration.
Capture it.

Use the JC App or record a voice memo on your phone.
Then drop those thoughts into one document.

After a couple of weeks, take all that wisdom and ask ChatGPT:

“Based on everything I’ve captured, what ideas do you have for helping me grow this group?”

And just like that, you’ll have a new list of ideas. Not generic advice. Real insights based on your own thinking. Plus, since the ideas are based on your wisdom and knowledge, you'll already have the clarity and confidence to implement them.

That's crucial as ideas without implementation don't do much good.

Repeat and refine (until it’s yours)

This is where the magic happens. There is great power in repetition, as it reveals possibilities that we can't see or even imagine currently.

You keep journaling.
You keep acting.
You keep capturing.
And over time, your process becomes clear.

Initially, it may follow my method. But eventually, it will evolve into your process - built from your values, experience, and your unique approach to helping people heal.

That’s when the real growth happens.

For example, one idea that occurs to me is based on my value of connection. I'm guessing that many mental health professionals feel alone and generally do art therapy in isolation with their clients. I'd be curious to see what happens when these practitioners collaborate on art and share their experiences. You can do this over Zoom or, even better, at a live event. 

In many cities, there are places like Picasso and Wine (https://picasso-wine.com) where people gather, paint, and have a good time. You could go there as part of a local meet-up or bring them on-site as part of a larger annual convention.

I share this not as a good idea but rather as an example of what's possible when you look at a problem through the eyes of your core values and keep repeating the process.

Final thought

You don’t need to know all the answers right now. You need a way to surface the ones that are already in you.

Journal.
Act.
Celebrate.
Repeat.

If you approach it with heart, honesty, and a willingness to try things out, you’ll create something that not only benefits your members but also fills you up.

Please let me know if you would like help putting this into practice. This is precisely what we’re doing in the Certain Growth Seminar - assisting people to turn their insights into impact, one grounded step at a time.