Her Story
About Natalie
Natalie Kay-Flaherty, M.Ed., ATR-P, is an art therapist, youth development professional, interdisciplinary artist, and advocate whose career has been shaped by personal experience, professional discovery, and a strong belief in the healing potential of creative expression. With approximately four to five years of experience in the field, her professional background spans behavioral health, education, youth development, and art therapy. Early in her career, she worked as a behavioral technician supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and later worked as a substitute teacher. She currently serves as a Youth Coordinator with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, supporting young people ages 14 to 25 who are navigating mental health challenges and other barriers.
At the center of Kay-Flaherty's practice is her work with complex trauma and ambiguous grief. She uses art therapy as an intentional therapeutic approach to help individuals communicate, reflect, regulate emotions, and process experiences that may be difficult to express through words alone. Her understanding of this work is also deeply personal. Having experienced severe abuse, neglect, and foster care, she discovered art as a coping mechanism during challenging periods of her own life. That experience ultimately inspired her to explore how creative expression could become a meaningful pathway for healing and support for others. She earned bachelor's degrees in Fine Arts and Psychology before pursuing a Master's in Education with a concentration in Art Therapy at Wayne State University. She has continued developing her expertise through trauma-focused education, Youth Mental Health First Aid, restorative practices and circles, and preparation toward play therapy certification.
Kay-Flaherty is particularly passionate about serving young people who are overlooked or underserved and creating opportunities for them to participate in advocacy, leadership, and creative expression. Through a partnership with a Job Corps program, she has reached approximately 200 young people, while her broader community work has included collaborations with IMPACT Detroit Youth Community Hub and Communities First. She also serves as the Regional Youth Coordinator for Youth United in Wayne County, incorporating art therapy and youth-centered programming into community engagement initiatives. Presenting nationally at the National Federation of Families Conference stands among her proudest professional accomplishments. As an advocate for the continued recognition and development of art therapy, Kay-Flaherty is committed to expanding access through private practice and telehealth while encouraging women to pursue their professional callings despite barriers. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natalie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my personal experiences, professional discovery, and my deep belief in the healing power of creative expression. My own experiences with severe abuse, neglect, and foster care led me to discover art as a coping mechanism during difficult periods of my life. That experience became an important foundation for my professional calling and motivated me to understand how something that helped me navigate my own challenges could also help others.
My success has also been shaped by my willingness to continue learning and expanding my professional skills across behavioral health, education, youth development, and art therapy. Each experience has strengthened my ability to connect with individuals, understand their needs, and develop creative approaches to support them.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you feel called to a particular profession or career path, pursue it. As women, there can be significant barriers that may make us feel complacent or discourage us from moving forward. I believe it is important to trust your calling, remain committed to your goals, and continue pursuing meaningful work despite those obstacles.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the major challenges in art therapy is the limited licensing and regulatory framework surrounding the profession in some states, which can contribute to gaps in accountability and professional recognition. I believe there is an important opportunity to advocate for greater recognition, consistency, and regulation of art therapy as a profession.
At the same time, expanding private practice and telehealth services presents meaningful opportunities to increase access to art therapy. These approaches can help practitioners reach individuals across different communities and stages of life, including people who may otherwise have difficulty accessing traditional services.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My work and personal experiences have reinforced the importance of empathy, advocacy, creative expression, collaboration, and creating opportunities for people—particularly those who are often overlooked or underserved—to have their voices heard. I believe meaningful change happens when professionals, organizations, and communities work together, and I strive to center the experiences and perspectives of the people I serve.
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