When you find out more about the people who 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 Master 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, LPC, ATR
Daphne Dierkes is the Hematology & Oncology Art Therapist at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital through the generous partnership with Friends of Kids with Cancer. Daphne graduated with her psychology and fine arts Bachelor's degrees in 2014 from Upper Iowa University, and then her Master's in Art Therapy Counseling from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2017. Starting as an intern at SLCH, Daphne knew this was a truly special place to work and sought out SLCH post-graduation. Daphne has worked at SLCH since 2018, supporting creative opportunities for positive coping and expression of thoughts/feelings/experiences.
Supporting the kiddos' creative expression and ability to communicate their true, authentic selves is Daphne’s favorite part of her role.
When not at work, Daphne enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, playing outside, and creating art!
“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:
Chris Liljedahl, LCPC, ATR-BC®
Chris is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠. He graduated in 2001 from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Therapy. He graduated in 2003 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a master's degree in Art Therapy Counseling. He has had more than two decades of work in community behavioral health. This has included work to build full and meaningful lives with adults, children, and families.
Chris practices recovery-focused art therapy, which uses art materials and the creative process to promote wellness and growth. Recovery focuses on collaborating with others to connect to their emotional experiences, values, aspirations, passions, interests, and strengths to promote a sense of accomplishment, growth, health, resilience, and meaning.
“I am honored to be a part of people’s journeys. I strive to encourage connection with creativity, support curiosity about experiences, promote acceptance of a person and their family as a whole, and to help people remember they are more than their present circumstances.”
Chris enjoys time with his family, making art, playing and listening to music, carpentry, reading, movies, and cooking.
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.
