Meet Ana Moreno, LPC, ATR-P: Art, Healing, and Trusting the Process

By Tiffany Todd, LCSW

At IVPC, we love introducing the compassionate and creative clinicians who make up our team. Today, we’re excited to share more about Ana Moreno, LPC, ATR-P, an art therapist and EMDR-trained clinician whose work blends creativity, nervous system healing, and deep respect for each client’s lived experience.

IVPC: What inspired you to become a therapist?

Ana: Like many therapists, my journey started through personal experiences with therapy. I’m a first-generation Mexican/Puerto Rican American, and I did not feel that my therapists understood my cultural background, or the nuances of having a family that was newly immigrated to the US. Despite this, therapy was an integral part of my healing…I  saw how it could be even more supportive for communities like mine that may not have strong representation in mental health. I feel that each culture holds connections to their history, religious/spiritual beliefs, family dynamics, and moral compasses that are an integral part of the healing process, and should be deeply understood by the therapist .. That’s part of what brought me into the field, is my passion for supporting my community and clients seeking a BIPOC therapist. Interestingly, it’s also my second career, I started in the film industry, working for companies like Warner Brothers in set design and prop creation. After COVID and everything that came with it, I realized I wanted to follow my longtime interest in mental health and help people more directly. That shift led me into therapy and art therapy.

IVPC: Can you share more about your professional background and areas of specialization?

Ana: I’m a licensed professional counselor and art therapist, and I’m also trained in EMDR. Before private practice, I worked at Lurie Children’s Hospital, which gave me the opportunity to support clients and families from diverse backgrounds, socially, culturally, economically. I worked closely with individuals navigating eating disorders, chronic/terminal illnesses, anxiety, OCD, and developmental disabilities. My background makes me especially connected to clients dealing with medical diagnoses, behavioral health challenges, and complex trauma. I also enjoy working with kids, teens, young adults, families, and I’m increasingly interested in supporting older adults, too.

IVPC: How would you describe your therapeutic style and the approaches you use?

Ana: I take a person-centered approach. My work is really flexible because I recognize how quickly life can shift for people. I often change goals week to week depending on what’s happening in my client’s world. My background in art therapy means I focus on what’s happening both in the subconscious and the body. I incorporate bottom-up approaches like polyvagal theory to explore what emotions are communicating through the nervous system. A lot of clients come to me saying, “I’m so tired of talk therapy,” and I offer something different. I bring in creative tools, somatic work, and psychoeducation so clients understand what’s happening internally. That way, when they’re outside the therapy space, they can say, “This is what anxiety feels like in my body. I know what to do.”

IVPC: What can clients expect when working with you?

Ana: One of the first things I tell clients is that I’m a safe person to practice honesty and boundaries with. Therapy should be collaborative, I value feedback and I’m open to shifting course if something isn’t working. I never expect perfection, and I encourage clients to say things like, “I’m not ready to talk about this today” or “That didn’t resonate with me.” I hold space with unconditional positive regard. Therapy is a place where you’re allowed to show up fully as you are, without shame. Whatever you need to bring into the room, I’m here for it.

IVPC: What role does self-care play in your approach to mental health?

Ana: I believe self-care helps us tune in to what our body and mind are saying. It’s not always about bubble baths or yoga, it’s about noticing what you need at any given moment. Sometimes self-care is pushing yourself to get out and be social; other times it’s choosing rest. I work with clients on understanding their own signals so they can better set boundaries and maintain relationships. I also introduce a lot of tools like journaling, somatic breathing, sensory tools like acupuncture rings, and vibration-based techniques to help with grounding and regulation, especially for clients who experience dissociation or struggle to stay connected to the body.

IVPC: What advice do you often find yourself sharing with clients?

Ana: Lately, especially with my clients in recovery from eating disorders or behavioral health issues, I’ve been saying: You’re not just learning how to survive this specific challenge, you’re learning your unique way to heal and building tools that will support you for life. It’s easy to feel like recovery is some far-off place, but every step you take is equipping you for future obstacles. The work you’re doing now will make future challenges feel smaller and more manageable. That’s incredibly empowering.

IVPC: What do you enjoy most about being a therapist?

Ana: Hearing people’s stories. It’s powerful to be trusted with someone’s truth, especially when they’ve never spoken it aloud before. I’ve worked with clients navigating deep grief, trauma, and identity struggles. Sometimes they say something they’ve never admitted to anyone, and it’s validating for them just to be heard without judgment. Over time, I’ve gathered so many stories that I can say to a client, “Others have felt this too,” and that makes people feel less alone. Even if I haven’t experienced it myself, I can hold space and help them process in a way that feels meaningful.

IVPC: What do you hope clients take away from their time with you?

Ana: I hope they leave with confidence, that feeling of I’ve got this. I want them to trust their own ability to regulate, set boundaries, and make decisions that feel aligned with them. Therapy can be a temporary learning space, or a long term building of self awareness, Even if one day we determine that we have met our goals, and it is time to part ways, I’ll always be there when needed, but my goal is to empower clients to carry those skills into the rest of their lives.

IVPC: What would you say to someone who’s considering therapy for the first time but feeling unsure?

Ana: You have more power in therapy than you might think. There’s a misconception that the therapist drives everything, but therapy is collaborative. You can say, “This is what I want to work on,” and change your mind the next week. I always check in about how deep a client wants to go that day, especially after a hard session or if they have to return to work or be alone afterward. My job is to meet you where you are and support you through what you feel ready to face. Therapy doesn’t have to be about diving into pain all at once, it can be gentle, intentional, and paced.

IVPC: Do you have a personal motto or guiding phrase?

Ana: One that shows up often in art therapy is trust the process. A lot of clients come in and say they’re bad at art or hate how their piece turned out. But I’m not focused on how it looks, I’m paying attention to how they create, what comes up emotionally, and what their body is doing while they work. Just like therapy, healing isn’t about perfection or final results, it’s about engaging in the process and learning from it. So whether it’s through art or conversation, I help clients stay curious and trust where their process is leading them.

Interview edited for length and clarity

InnerVoice Psychotherapy and Consultation is located in Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL and provides telehealth services for anyone living in the state of IL.

Book with Ana here.