Raina Cowan Art Therapist and Counselor

04/10/2026

The whole, the parts. Zoom out, zoom in. Is it all in the details, or is there a bigger picture? When is it both?

03/31/2026

Inspired by reclaimed surfaces artist, , who does fabulous teabag artwork, and by all the pretty spring crocuses! I love Spring time. Image copyright www.rainacowanarttherapist.com

02/14/2026

Reflection collage on loving art therapy! Feeling fortunate for finding my way to this field, it really is a calling. No matter how you situate art therapy among other modalities, it will always shine bright as a beacon of healing and endless growth opportunities.

02/01/2026

February is a great month to check out Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Not only are they celebrating Black History Month with all these cool events, but it’s warm and the tropical inside. The various plants and greenery can make you feel transported to another season, another climate. Escape from winter!

We're so excited to celebrate Black History Month 2026 with you all! Join us to to learn about Black ancestral plant knowledge, enjoy themed art activities for children and adults, a special jazz concert, and more! Use the link in our bio to view the more details about all our Black History Month offerings. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏻

01/07/2026

Art therapy heals!

🔥 Art therapy sessions could cut the risk of burnout by half, a study of London medics suggests.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust worked with 129 doctors, nurses and other health professional from London hospitals to study the effects of group art therapy sessions.

They found that those who took part in the sessions reported much lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, and less stress, anxiety and depression.

🔗 Read the full article from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yj6412gvxo

📷️ Image: Dr Francesco Rosato
Credit: BBC

01/02/2026

In a burst of reinvigorated New Year’s decluttering, I finally found this cicada lifespan embroidery project I started 2 summers ago! I had been looking for it for a while!

Here’s to finding lost things
discovering new joys, remembering old joys, savoring moments of contentment, embracing challenges and chaos, preserving capacity for self, supporting community, and knowing when to let go of whatever is no longer serving you! May 2026 bring you creativity, ease, wonderment and enough motivation and energy to push through the rough stuff!

12/09/2025

We might not be able to control much about the holidays, but making handmade ornaments can restore a bit of self agency and joy. :)

11/26/2025

Gel plate printing in between sessions with lace, 2nd time ever using this process. I plan to use these in the making of some holiday ornaments. Happy Holiday Season Kick Off!

11/12/2025

If you’ve been watching the Celebration of and in Thanks Giving for the Life of Dr. Jane Goodall, perhaps you’ve felt inspired by her compassion and humanity. I myself am also moved by her bravery in old age at facing death as her “next great adventure”. I made this Queen card in her honor. Image copyright rainacowanarttherapist.com

11/02/2025

Can’t say it any better than National. IMHO the best parents are the ones who are living authentically, and modeling how to be true to oneself. It takes a ton of integrity to do so when faced with so much misunderstanding and current threats to existence. Hats off to all transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming parents today and always.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MgL6LtN1J/?mibextid=wwXIfred ny

Today is Trans Parent Day, a celebration of all our transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming parents! In a society adamant on upholding strict, binary representations of parental figures, trans and gender nonconforming parents are a powerful reminder that the qualities of a happy family—caring, nurturing, protective, safe, joyous—have nothing to do with gender and everything to do with a parent’s love.

To all our transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming parents: we see you, we support you, and we're PFLAG proud of you today and every day! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

10/26/2025

Check out this awesome free crafternoon and open house tomorrow for families at Side Quest Social Club! Registration is requested.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17fA7GCuMm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/21/2025

Yes another plant post! Is my cactus confused?! Strange it’s flowering now but then again Spring was super early so who knows? Check out the beautiful handmade sun catcher I was gifted on Friday. Kudos to all who stood up for democracy on Saturday, let’s keep it going!