Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Goveia.
Hi Cheryl, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I went to art school and earned my BFA in Studio Art and Art History, and shortly after moving to Austin almost 30 years ago, I began teaching art. Education has been a significant part of my professional life, and over the years I’ve continued to expand my own education in ways that have shaped how I work with people.
During different seasons of my life, I pursued additional training and experiences, including becoming a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, and 500-hour yoga teacher, as well as studying midwifery and completing a death doula program. All of those experiences deepened my understanding of the connections between creativity, nature, the body, life transitions, and healing.
When COVID moved art therapy education online, I realized I had an opportunity to pursue something I had been wanting to do for a long time. Because there are no art therapy graduate programs in Texas, I applied to Southwestern College in Santa Fe, which was particularly appealing because of its strong ecotherapy component. That program brought together so many of my strengths—art, nature, spirituality, and working relationally with people. During my final year, I moved to Santa Fe to complete my internship at a behavioral health facility. I also completed my grief counseling training through Golden Willow in Taos.
My own home and garden are very much an extension of this work. I’ve maintained a 29-year organic garden, and my property was featured on the City of Austin Master Gardener Tour in 2009. I built a tiny house in my backyard that I operated successfully as a B&B for several years, and today I use that space as my therapy office. The property has even been featured in films because of its unique character.
What I love about my practice is that therapy doesn’t have to look one particular way. A client might want to sit on the couch and talk, sit on the porch overlooking the garden, work in the garden, create something in the fiber arts loft, or make art. I offer choices and let the therapeutic process develop organically from what each person needs.
My approach is earth-based, creative, and trauma-informed. While it may look different from a traditional clinical setting, there is a strong body of research supporting the therapeutic benefits of art, nature, creativity, and embodied approaches to healing.
I especially love working with women across the lifespan—from teens to elders—as well as with creative people who may not necessarily connect with a traditional model of therapy. I think one of my strengths is being able to bring decades of experience in art, education, nature, and helping professions together in a way that feels authentic and accessible to the person sitting in front of me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
NOT smooth at all. I raised 2 daughters and during Covid my husband of over 20 years came out and I went through being abandoned and then divorce in my final year of school. Also, I went through several years of pain with a misdiagnosed back problem that caused me to not be able to work and a medically induced opioid addiction.
My first practicum sight was Austin Grief Center and after finishing my 3 month training, the executive director quit and I lost my placement and had to find a new location within a week. I ended up at The Christi Center working with children who had experienced traumatic death and the suicide survivors group.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a practice that truly reflects who I am. I’ve been an artist my entire life, an educator, a gardener, a yoga teacher, and a therapist—and I’ve brought all of those parts of myself into the way I work with clients. I’ve never believed that healing has to happen in a traditional office, sitting across from someone talking for an hour. My practice is about creating space for people to explore, make, move, connect with nature, and discover parts of themselves that words alone may not reach.
What sets my practice apart is the way I weave art therapy, eco-therapy, creativity, and genuine human connection together. I have a garden, an art studio, and outdoor spaces where therapy can happen organically. I’m not afraid to think outside the box or create something completely new when a client or group needs it. My entrepreneurial and creative background has taught me to see possibilities rather than limitations, and I bring that same spirit into therapy. I think of my practice as a place where therapy can feel less clinical and more alive—while still being thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in the therapeutic relationship.
What my neighbors know me for is my garden and volunteerism throughout our community, working with Tree Folks and serving on the Brentwood Part committee for years, planting and helping maintain those plants, designing the firehouse gardens and generally giving away advice on how/what to plant and when.
I see 4-5 clients a day and run them with half hour breaks in between to assure complete privacy coming and going. I also run a women’s processing group currently attended by those experiencing both traditional and ambiguous grief. We sometimes sit by the fire, sing, build altars both in nature and for our remembrances and healing.
I love what I do.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Most of my clients are coming from referrals, Psychology Today and friends. Nothing has worked really well, and I’m pretty sure it’s because I don’t take insurance, and can’t until I complete my 3000hrs. of mandatory supervision for full licensure.
I had a business coach for awhile but most of the ideas that I tried haven’t panned out: flyers, stickers, posting on social media has been somewhat successful. I’ve even tried reaching out to psychiatrists or other female doctors but find that route fairly difficult due to scheduling.
Pricing:
- 150$ for 55 minutes. I have one full scholarship and give two reduced rates for BIPOC individuals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ecoarttherapyaustin.com
- Instagram: eco_art_therapy_atx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-goveia-lpc-a-atr-p-6614038/
- Psychology Today: https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/home
