Meet Paige from Iowa

This is her first time in rural upstate New York. She said, “The landscape here is much different than where I am from. Iowa is very flat. Growing up in a small town helped me to develop an interest in people. In small towns, interpersonal connections tend to be strong and close-knit. People are more likely to know each other, have regular interactions, and rely on each other for support. This creates a sense of community and shared identity, but it can also create pressures to conform. I became fascinated with with those connections and understanding people as a young girl. It gave me the desire to get out into the world and further my understanding and exploration of the world and the people in it.” At 19 years old, she left her small town and moved to Minnesota for college. She double majored in theater and psychology. She said, “I knew I wanted a career in mental health. Rural communities have less access to mental health resources. I’m passionate about bringing awareness and resources to that cause. I also have a passion for theater. While researching for careers, I wanted to see if there was a way I could use both of my passions to help others. I found something called Expressive Arts Therapy. It uses various art forms, like painting, music, drama, and movement, to help individuals explore their emotions, gain self-awareness, and promote healing and personal growth. It’s a therapeutic approach that leverages the power of creativity to express and process feelings, especially when verbal communication is difficult.” After receiving her undergraduate in Minnesota, Paige moved to Boston to study for her graduate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. She said, “For the past five years, I’ve been living and working in Boston. Three of those years were spent at school. It’s been a long five years and I’m ready to head home to my small town. My parents have been married for 32 years and I have an older sister. I’m looking forward to spending the summer with them and then moving on to land my dream job in Colorado.” What she wants to tell the world is, “Part of being curious about people is being curious about the world, and how we all interact with each other. There is beauty in seeing different perspectives. Stay curious. Always be willing to find something new. Be open, to change, adaptation, growth, and different perspectives. Say yes and say it often.” Thank you so much for visiting!