Helping Professionals Series: Art Therapist Helping San Diego Military.
Megan Toth, ATR
Registered Art Therapist #22-009
Co-owner of Draw Near Art Studio & Workshops
In this edition of my Helping Professionals blog series, I want to introduce you to Megan Toth, one of my San Diego Art Therapy colleagues. Megan has a heart for helping our military men and women, and their families.
Megan co-founded Draw Near Art Studio & Workshops, an Art Psychoeducational Business where she leads “Draw Near” workshops with her colleague and co-founder.
As a speaker, Megan has sat on a panel for Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and spoken to college students about Art Therapy. She also provides Art Therapy supervision and leads peer supervision groups at a private mental health hospital where she has worked since 2020.
Learn more about Megan Toth and the Art Therapy she provides from our interview below!
What do you love about providing Art Therapy for San Diego Military members and their families?
I grew up in Okinawa, Japan. My dad is retired Air Force. I love working with service members and their families because I get military culture and the life it brings. Many of my family members served in the military as well: my paternal grandfather was in the Navy for 30+ years, my paternal grandmother was a social worker for military members, my maternal grandfather served in the Korean War, and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins served in the military.
I am accustomed to grief, being a military brat, and personally knowing six widows (spouses who died all under the age of 40). Rapport can take a while to build sometimes. However, when people share similar lived experiences, connection can feel easier.
As another San Diego Art Therapy Specialist, in what ways have you seen Art Therapy help military members?
I have seen Art Therapy become a safe space for military members where they can release emotions and feel less alone. It can be a place to be supported by a group going through similar experiences and feelings. For some, it can be a cathartic release. It is great for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), trauma, avoidance, unprocessed grief, suicidal ideations, etc. Most military members enjoy working with their hands and art therapy offers a great space to do just that.
Do you offer online Art Therapy?
Yes, I do. Online Art Therapy offers Art Therapy from the comfort of a client’s home or office, maybe at a more convenient time, and can be done while traveling. Art Therapy online is a bit different than in person: clients supply their own materials to use in the session and find a quiet space for one hour. I let clients know in advance what materials are needed for our 60-minute online session. I like to begin each session with a check-in and then jump into artmaking. After creating, a client and I will discuss and process the client’s art together.
Do you offer Group Therapy for San Diego Military members?
Yes, I do offer Group Art Therapy. Group therapy has many benefits including peer support, not all the attention is placed on a single person, and group members get to hear other people's stories. Group members become a part of each other’s healing journey. A lot of times group members remain a source of support to each other for years to come beyond group meetings.
Group therapy can also bring up family dynamics that individual therapy may not. For example, one person’s role within a family may subconsciously be reflected or projected in the group. Working within a group setting can help a client examine, and work through difficult family dynamics.
What does a first session look like when someone comes for Individual Art Therapy?
I meet with my clients for one hour. I provide a safe space with art materials already set up for a client’s arrival. A first session will usually be spent building rapport, talking about safety and expectations along with some art making.
What resources do you recommend for someone in the military who wants to learn more about how Art Therapy can help them?
There are many resources, but some of my favorites are YouTube videos where military members and veterans talk about how Art Therapy has been helpful in their healing. Below are some links to videos along with an article from the VA.
Is there anything else you want to share about providing Art Therapy in San Diego for Military Members?
For San Diego military members, there are some limitations on where help is provided. What is available is inpatient psychiatric facilities, the VA, or Balboa unless you are at a rehab center mixed with civilians.
At Draw Near Art Studio & Workshops we provide an outpatient space for the military and civilians. A place where you can be amongst others who know the military culture and where you can feel safe to talk about your mental health issues and not worry about co-workers or your command.
How can someone contact you to learn more about the Art Therapy services you provide for Military members and their families?
The best way to contact me is through my email megandrawnear@gmail.com or by calling me at 619-736-3929.
To learn more about the Art Therapy I provide please follow me on Instagram. @meganvista_art_therapist
Share some interesting facts about you that most people don’t know.
Before becoming an art therapist, I was a non-profit photojournalist traveling to over 30 countries documenting injustice. Before that, I spent time in Northern Ireland, Rwanda, and Burundi doing reconciliation work. I’ve worked with people from almost every nation and continue to do so. I still enjoy taking film photographs. Once upon a time, I spent many hours developing film and photos in a darkroom.
What’s one of your favorite things to do in San Diego County?
Going to the beach!
More about Megan Toth
Megan a Korean, Dutch-Indo American obtained a BA in Studio Art from California State University, Long Beach. She earned a Master’s in Art Therapy from the University of Haifa (https://hw.haifa.ac.il/en/art-candidates#creative-arts). In 2015, Megan began working with an array of mental health diagnoses (online and in person), helping civilian and military personnel. Her specialties include working with the military, trauma, and grief.
Megan meets clients in their extremely difficult, painful memories and experiences and guides them toward healing. She works to help clients move through and process their past and current circumstances in a safe, nurturing, and caring space.