Alanna currently lives in rural Ohio with her spouse, son and two dogs. She loves long walks in nature, cooking tasty food and making art. Her favorite mediums to use are watercolor, chalk pastel and pen. Other mediums she enjoys playing with are clay, fiber arts, wood burning and jewelry. In addition, Alanna is a poet with several published poems and a joy for spoken word. Alanna has always explored, processed and understood her inner and outer world through a creative expression and reflection.



Alanna is an artist first, but decided early on, while still in high school, to pursue a career as an art therapist. Alanna began her studies in art and psychology at Bowling Green State University. She utilized every opportunity to use art as therapy, expressing emotionally and exploring deeply the internal constructs of herself as well as the collective.



Alanna received her Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern College in 2015 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She gained extensive experience working with addictions and trauma while in residential treatment. There she also managed an art studio, facilitated groups, and worked with individual clients. After working in residential treatment, Alanna worked in community mental health which provided her with a working knowledge and understanding of systemic challenges and barriers that many people face including homelessness, severe mental illness, extreme poverty, active addiction, and cultural influences. Alanna then worked in a group practice before launching her private practice, Ascending Roots Therapy Studio, LLC in 2023, where she continues to provide art therapy and counseling services today.



Alanna tends to utilize a variety of approaches in her art therapy practice. At the foundation she stands on the work of Carl Jung (Depth/Analytical Psychology and Carl Rodgers (Person Centered/Humanistic Psychology), following the lead of both her clients as well as allowing the art and images to guide the process. Alanna places more emphasis on the process than the end product and places the engagement of the creative process as the most integral part of the work. Once the creative process is engaged, the healing work can really take root.