Jena Leake

Associate Professor, Expressive Therapies

Jena Leake, Ph.D., R.E.A.T. is an artist, registered expressive arts therapist, educator, and consultant who is passionate about supporting others in becoming artists of their lives. Over the past 24 years, Jena has been designing and facilitating expressive arts trainings, workshops, and retreats in a wide variety of settings, including universities, mental health agencies, public schools, art galleries and museums, hospitals, non-profit community organizations, and through her studio-based expressive arts therapy practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. Jena previously served as Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University, teaching in the expressive arts therapy and clinical mental health counseling program. She has a private practice offering expressive arts therapy, creative coaching and mentoring, clinical arts-based supervision for therapists and helping professionals, and consultancy services for organizations interested in developing expressive arts and wellness programs.

As an interdisciplinary practitioner, Jena develops innovative learning environments integrating visual art-making, writing, movement, somatic awareness, and mindfulness practices. Her research interests include women’s issues across the lifespan, contemplative practices, somatic inquiry, arts-based research, a/r/tography, and communal approaches to healing. Jena is passionate about supporting students in discovering their unique way of belonging to the field of expressive therapies as they cultivate their artistic and clinical skills.

Selected Publications

Leake, J. (2016). Women re-imagining life through art: A/r/tographical discoveries in a community art studio. Journal of Applied Arts and Health, (6), 3, 291–306.

Leake, J. (2014). Feature artist. [Paintings & Artist Narrative]. Wayfarer Journal: Re-Imagining the Possible, Charting the Way for Change, (3), 4, pp. 8, 33, 56, 59-61.

Leake, J. (2013). Living nel mezzo: Becoming an artist/researcher/teacher/therapist in the expressive arts. Poiesis: A Journal of Arts and Communication. (15), 164-172.

Leake, J. (2013). She who looks deeply. [Painting & Artist Statement]. Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy. (8), 6.

Leake, J. (2011). Breaking free of illusion. [Painting and Poem]. Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy. (7), 37.

Leake, J. (2010). Painting from the wild soul. [Poem]. Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy. (6), 26.

Leake, J. (2010). Soul growth & The soul breaks free. [Paintings]. Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy. (6), 26 – 27.

Leake, J. & Shaffner, J. (2010). Edith Turner: A lifetime of encounter. Poiesis: A Journal of Arts and Communication, (12), 50-57.

Education

PhD, Expressive Arts Therapy (magna cum laude)

European Graduate School, Switzerland

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)

Research, Leadership and Training in Expressive Arts: Therapy, Education & Consulting

European Graduate School, Switzerland

MA, Community Counseling, Concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy

Appalachian State University, North Carolina

BA, Speech Communications, Minor in Psychology

Meredith College, NC

*Registered Expressive Arts Therapist