About Therapist Mineko Takada-Dill, MA, LMHC, ATR I have a BA in painting from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan and a MA in Art Therapy from New York University. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as Registered Art Therapist. I was born and raised in Japan. When I was 6, I was struggling at school. At that time it was common to give grades to first graders and I still remember that I got D's in most of the subjects except art. So you can imagine that art was the only subject that made me feel good about myself. I was one of the youngest children in the class, and eventually I caught up academically, but I never forgot how I felt as a child .I chose to study art and majored in oil painting and art education at a well respected art college. I also took courses in sculpture, metal work, graphic arts, textile arts etc .I concurrently studied for and received a teaching certificate in art.

In the University I was taught a lot of techniques, but I don't remember that even one instructor talked about what to paint.As a result, most of my work at that time didn't show my feelings and thoughts, in another words, I copied things realistically.

After graduating from the college, I worked for a large clothing manufacturer as a textile designer and then went to Honduras as a Japanese Peace Corp volunteer. I was sent to the Honduran Education Ministry and joined their re-education program for teachers in active service. While learning Spanish and their culture, I developed a curriculum to teach art with minimal art supplies. We went to dig clay at a tropical mountain and cleaned it in the river. We built a wood burning kiln and fired children's clay work. During this first teaching period, I was not able to answer some of the teachers questions; why some first graders only scribble even when they are supposed to draw figures? Why does one boy draw a person without underwear all the time? I wondered where I could learn those things that I never learned in art education classes.

Later I taught in a Specialized School in Nara, Japan and worked with children with severe developmental and physical challenges. Most of them had Cerebral Palsy. Art was a joy to them and I developed many techniques to show that their works were unique. Most of them were able to only scribble although their physical ages were between 9 and 11. I began to use sensory stimulation in their creative process. For example, in their batik pieces, the touch of fabric, heat of wax, smell of materials and color of dyes all stimulated their central nervous systems.

In the Art Therapy Program at New York University, we needed to learn three core precepts of art therapy; Psychology, Art Education, and Studio Art. I worked in a pediatric oncology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, NYC, adult mental health center (Bronx) and nursing home(Queens) as an intern. After graduating, I worked at an Outpatient Drug/alcohol Treatment Center, Brooklyn, NY..

My Therapy Experience in Seattle

After I moved to Seattle, WA, I worked as a mental health counselor/ art therapist at Seattle(Sound) Mental Health for 9 years. I have worked at Early Childhood and School Based Programs.

Since 2000, I have a small counseling office at NorthGate and opened studio in 2004 when I left SMH. I work with Adults, Adolescence, and children and their family in both settings. I have also contracted to work at Highline School District and Childhaven.

Credentials

Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1998

Children's Mental Health Specialist

Registered Art Therapist since 2001

How to contact

If you are interested in joining the journey with art, please contact me at (206)276-4915 or e-mail me at info@studiomene.com

Forms

Notice of Privacy Practice

Information for Clients and Disclosure Statement

Because of the Health Portability and Accountabilities Act of 1996 (HIPAA), please be aware that I may not be able to answer some specific questions over the internet.

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