Using Expressive Art as a Therapeutic Tool for Children and Adolescents

Dr. Rhea sits down with Matt Sandoval, Executive Director ofFree Arts for Abused Children of Arizona which provides trauma-informed art activities through trained adult mentors for children and teens who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Matt shares his personal and professional journey that led him to social work, and discusses the therapeutic nature of expressive arts and the importance of meeting individual needs creatively.Matt Sandoval is an Arizona native who has served as an executive leader in human services and non-profit organizations for over 15 years. In addition to being the Executive Director at Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, Matt is a public speaker and trainer on mental health and youth-related topics. He is also the host ofCanvas of the Heart, the Free Arts podcast.  Matt leads the Free Arts' strategic vision to offer programs in Arizona and the effort to establish Free Arts as a sector thought leader in child well-being and mentoring through expressive art programming. Formerly, Matt served as the VP of Community Initiatives at the YMCA, focusing on workforce development, alternative education, juvenile justice, and mentoring for teens and young adults. Additionally, Matt has served as the Executive Director of an independent living community for adults with developmental disabilities and as a Clinical Therapist.   Matt has served on several non-profit and charter school boards for groups that support youth and community development in the greater Phoenix area. Matt holds a Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. He is a Licensed Master Social Worker with Arizona Behavioral Health Board of Examiners.