Matthew Chernaskey, ATR-BC, LPC

My art therapy journey began at Marywood University, where I obtained my Masters of Arts in Art Therapy. My graduate internships consisted of my time at an open-studio-based private practice, a residential treatment program, a community-based/after school art program, and lastly LVHN’s pediatric oncology/hematology department. The main inspiration for this career path came from my fascination with how artmaking impacts the human experience and psyche.

After graduating from Marywood, my clinical experience consisted of working with at-risk youths, families, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and the general adult population. I have experience with Autism, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, ODD, Major Depressive Disorder, Trauma-Related Disorders, and IED. I previously worked within the following mental health programs: Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (currently called Intensive Behavioral Health Services), School-Based Outpatient Services, Outpatient Mental Health Services, and Family-Based Mental Health Services. Throughout my experiences within each program, I was able to provide art therapy in the classroom settings, office settings, in-home settings, and also telehealth.

I have an eclectic counseling style, with a strong leaning towards a person-centered approach. Biggest influence comes from the open-studio approach, where my therapeutic role focuses on witnessing the art-making with the client non-judgmentally, facilitating the dialogue related to client’s needs, and providing support for the client’s therapeutic journey. My goal is to bolster the client’s ability to express their thoughts and emotions unrestrictively and authentically, while promoting resiliency and self-advocacy within both a systemic and holistic framework. In addition, I do integrate CBT, DBT, play techniques, Mindfulness-Based interventions, Motivational Interviewing techniques, and Solution-Focused techniques into my art therapy work. I am currently a Board Certified Art Therapist, who is always up to learning new things, making art, or growing fruits and vegetables on my farm year round.   

“Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.”

― Keith Haring