Our art therapists are more than just dedicated - they are INVOLVED in this organization. When you find out more behind the people that work each day to help these brave kids, you will understand why Friends has been around for more than 30 years with the same passion and vigor that it took to launch it in 1992.
Mercy Clinic:
Natasha Westrich Hanson, MA, ATR-BC
Natasha is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis with a double major in both Psychology and Art History and holds a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy from SIUE. She became interested in helping oncology patients after her dad was diagnosed with cancer. During Natasha’s time in graduate school art therapy was still quite limited in hospitals, but thanks to one of her professors Natasha was able to create an internship at Barnes Hospital where she worked with adult bone marrow transplant patients. She was so moved by their journey with cancer and their feelings of isolation that she encouraged each patient to create a quilt square, which was later pieced together as one unified quilt. It continues to hang at Barnes to this day. From that point on Natasha knew she definitely wanted to work as an art therapist with cancer patients. Natasha created the Art therapy program for FOKWC in 1998, started Art from the Heart in 2010, and has been co-leading the Adolescent Young Adult monthly support group since 2017. She feels blessed to be able to help cancer patients through their journey, knowing that art therapy is a powerful means of expression, connection, and healing.
“I have loved being able to walk along side each and every one of the families I have had the privilege to work with. Art therapy provides an outlet for our patients and our families to share their stories and journeys with cancer in a deeply impactful and powerful way. When I introduce myself as a FOKWC Art Therapist at Mercy, faces light up, because they know what FOKWC means. It means they have an entire community around them who are seeking to support them in the most beautiful and meaningful way.”
When not at work you can find Natasha playing with Jabula (a women’s drumming circle), gardening, spending time with her family and cats, and Tango dancing.
St. Louis Children's Hospital:
Daphne Dierkes, ATR, LPC, MA, Art Therapist
Daphne is a graduate from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville with her Masters in Art Therapy Counseling, with previously receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Psychology from Upper Iowa University. From a very young age, she saw herself as a helper and someone who understood the importance of speaking through art. Blending this love of art with counseling seemed most conductive to Daphne’s values and life purpose. Daphne has worked with adults, adolescents, behavioral health, memory care, and school-based settings, but she was always drawn back to working with children in the hospital setting. The children she has met over the years have taught Daphne so much about community, strength, acceptance, and love; and she hopes to provide a portion of that caring and support during her time with each patient and family from here on forward.
“I feel privileged to work with some of the strongest kids I know. My time at St. Louis Children’s Hospital has taught me the importance of allowing these kids to share their stories and how best to practice positive coping in order to support treatment based needs. FOKWC has supported all the above mentioned goals and so much more! When I introduce myself and identify myself as a FOKWC Art Therapist, kids and families’ faces light up. It is apparent how much FOKWC has impacted these children’s day to day lives and I am honored to be able to support them further as their art therapist.”
In her spare time, you can find Daphne spending time with her family, painting, or journaling.
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital:
Donna Hasegawa M.F.A. ATR-BC, Art Therapist
Donna received her B.A. in Art and Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and furthered her education at SIUE, receiving a Master of Fine Art and Art Therapy Specialization. She has 24 years of experience working with all age groups and 22 years in Behavioral Health. Donna finds art therapy a helpful modality to assist with identifying and expressing emotion, stress management, and facilitating creative expression.
Know a child or family who could benefit from our services? Contact the patient's hospital social worker or care team for a referral to Friends.
