Phoenix Therapist Joins Private School Writing team

Private School Blog is happy to have Marina Doering providing her expertise and insights into a very important conversation of mental health in education.

Marina has always been a creative and was able to explore her work as an artist through numerous classes and camps while growing up. She found acceptance and comfort from her studio communities and within her creations. She explored and embraced the strong connection art brought to the well-being and connection to herself and those around her.

Marina received a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Psychology from Wheaton College (MA) in 2014 where she was able to witness the powerful overlap among art (primarily printmaking and watercolor), development, and science of the mind. These experiences deepened her compassion for helping all individuals find solace and healing through art. She chose to continue this exploration through Lesley University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, specializing in Art Therapy. 

Marina completed a pediatric art therapy clinical rotation at The Boston Center partial-hospitalization program in Brighton, MA along with clinical positions at Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention, St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, and Dana Group Associates. She implemented art therapy interventions for pain and stress management, child and family development, pre-natal and postpartum care, and holistic wellness in acute and high-stress experiences. 

Additionally, Marina received her board certification in Art Therapy (ATR-BC) and training in yoga, wellness, and meditation practices through social-emotional leadership (RYT-200) through Breathe for Change, and certification as an Individual Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I) through The Arizona Trauma Institute in Mesa, Arizona. She currently holds licensure and can treat patients in Arizona, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Marina spent majority of her career at Franciscan Children's, beginning as an art therapy intern focusing on inpatient mental health and suicide prevention in 2016. After exploring different pediatric psychology settings, she returned in 2019 to provide individual and group services in outpatient behavioral health. Her work focused on incorporating the patient's strengths, creativity, identity, and community through art, play, and holistic interventions for overall well-being.

In 2023, Marina deepened her work by opening her private practice, Creative Continuum Therapy, here in the Phoenix valley. Her work focuses on supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety and neurodivergent diagnoses. Additionally, she supports parents with education to understand and address their child’s functioning and skills training to promote positive home environments and growth-oriented patterns of behavior. Marina believes in the power of the mind-connection and that every patient can find self-regulation and calm.