ABOUT ME
More about my background, training, formal credentials, and publications
I'm Karin von Daler...
I help sensitive people connect with their whole selves — body, mind, soul, and spirit, through their natural creativity
My life’s work is to make art that heals and healing an art form, and to teach others to do the same. I'm an expressive arts therapist, visual artist, author, psychotherapist, and psychologist. I guide people to awaken their creativity and feel whole, empowered, and connected. Through therapy, teaching, workshops, art, my method, Creative Mindfulness, and The Art of Self-Healing Cards, I create spaces for transformation where love, consciousness and, imagination meet.
I have over 30 years of international experience as a creative artist, teacher, and therapist
FULL BIO
Background
For me, creativity has always been a kind of alchemy — a loving space for transformation, where I could find meaning and strength through life’s most difficult phases. Over time, I have become something of an expert in what I call Creative Self-Healing. My life purpose is to make art that heals and healing into an art form, and to teach others to do the same.
I have more than 30 years of international experience as a creative therapist and teacher. I am trained as a psychologist, expressive arts therapist, and family, couples, and individual psychotherapist. I am also a visual artist, author, harp player, and lifelong dancer.
Since 2002, I have worked as an expressive arts therapist after earning my M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy from CIIS in San Francisco, my California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist, and REAT certification from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). After returning to Denmark, I became a member of the Danish Psychotherapist Association and later a licensed psychologist (authorized by the Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice).
I developed the approach Creative Mindfulness, a method that integrates ancient wisdom about mindful awareness with the creative process and modern understanding of nervous system regulation. I have written about this method in several international textbooks on Expressive Arts Therapy. I also created HEL Kortene / The Art of Self-Healing Cards, making gentle, creative self-healing accessible to hundreds of people in everyday life.
My calling is to help sensitive and traumatized people who have lost their spark and their connection to the voice of the body and the calling of the soul — to come home to themselves, discover their strength, and express themselves creatively in a world that needs their sensitivity and wisdom.
I guide sensitive, creative souls to heal by reconnecting body, mind, soul, and spirit through beauty and natural creativity. My work helps people feel safe and grounded, awaken their innate strength, find freedom from old trauma, and resolve conflict through creativity. I help people discover that they are sensitive but not sick, traumatized but not broken, different but that they belong — that they are whole, powerful, and needed on this planet.
Through my art, cards, therapy, writing, teaching, and leadership, I create inspiring spaces for deep transformation — places where healing, awareness, and creativity meet. I believe that our innate creativity is the way home — back to the body, feelings, intuition, and soul — and out into the world, where images, dance, poetry, and music give rise to meaning, beauty, and connection.
I am fluent in Danish and English and very comfortable in the Nordic languages.
Background
For me, creativity has always been a kind of alchemy — a loving space for transformation, where I could find meaning and strength through life’s most difficult phases. Over time, I have become something of an expert in what I call Creative Self-Healing. My life purpose is to make art that heals and healing into an art form, and to teach others to do the same.
I have more than 30 years of international experience as a creative therapist and teacher. I am trained as a psychologist, expressive arts therapist, and family, couples, and individual psychotherapist. I am also a visual artist, author, harp player, and lifelong dancer.
Since 2002, I have worked as an expressive arts therapist after earning my M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy from CIIS in San Francisco, my California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist, and REAT certification from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). After returning to Denmark, I became a member of the Danish Psychotherapist Association and later a licensed psychologist (authorized by the Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice).
I developed the approach Creative Mindfulness, a method that integrates ancient wisdom about mindful awareness with the creative process and modern understanding of nervous system regulation. I have written about this method in several international textbooks on Expressive Arts Therapy. I also created HEL Kortene / The Art of Self-Healing Cards, making gentle, creative self-healing accessible to hundreds of people in everyday life.
My calling is to help sensitive and traumatized people who have lost their spark and their connection to the voice of the body and the calling of the soul — to come home to themselves, discover their strength, and express themselves creatively in a world that needs their sensitivity and wisdom.
I guide sensitive, creative souls to heal by reconnecting body, mind, soul, and spirit through beauty and natural creativity. My work helps people feel safe and grounded, awaken their innate strength, find freedom from old trauma, and resolve conflict through creativity. I help people discover that they are sensitive but not sick, traumatized but not broken, different but that they belong — that they are whole, powerful, and needed on this planet.
Through my art, cards, therapy, writing, teaching, and leadership, I create inspiring spaces for deep transformation — places where healing, awareness, and creativity meet. I believe that our innate creativity is the way home — back to the body, feelings, intuition, and soul — and out into the world, where images, dance, poetry, and music give rise to meaning, beauty, and connection.
I am fluent in Danish and English and very comfortable in the Nordic languages.
Credentials
Certified Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Practitioner (2020)
Authorized Psychologist, Denmark (2013)
Psychotherapist MPF, Danish Psychotherapist Association (2009)
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT, IEATA, 2006)
Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed in California (2005–2014)
M.A. in Counseling Psychology, CIIS, San Francisco (2002)
B.A. in Communication, Roskilde University Center & History of Religions, University of Copenhagen (1994)
NLP Master Practitioner, Danish NLP Institute, Copenhagen (1994)
Credentials
Certified Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Practitioner (2020)
Authorized Psychologist, Denmark (2013)
Psychotherapist MPF, Danish Psychotherapist Association (2009)
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT, IEATA, 2006)
Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed in California (2005–2014)
M.A. in Counseling Psychology, CIIS, San Francisco (2002)
B.A. in Communication, Roskilde University Center & History of Religions, University of Copenhagen (1994)
NLP Master Practitioner, Danish NLP Institute, Copenhagen (1994)
Key publications
Chapter on Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Therapy in Handbook of Expressive Arts Therapy, edited by Cathy A. Malchiodi (2022)
Website copy/article on the history and development of art therapy for Kunstterapeutforeningen.dk (the Danish Association for Art Therapists) (2022)
The Art of Self-Healing Cards on creative self-healing, published by Wonderland Publishing (2022)
Chapter on Creative Mindfulness working with Emotional Dysregulation in DBT-Informed Art Therapy in Practice, edited by Susan M. Clark (2021)
HEL-kortene, card deck on creative self-healing in Danish (2020)
Meditations for the Creative Soul: Guided meditation with original music, with Asger von Daler (2015)
Chapter on Creative Mindfulness in Mindfulness and the Arts Therapies, with Lori Schwanbeck, edited by Laury Rappaport (2014)
Key publications
Chapter on Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Therapy in Handbook of Expressive Arts Therapy, edited by Cathy A. Malchiodi (2022)
Website copy/article on the history and development of art therapy for Kunstterapeutforeningen.dk (the Danish Association for Art Therapists) (2022)
The Art of Self-Healing Cards on creative self-healing, published by Wonderland Publishing (2022)
Chapter on Creative Mindfulness working with Emotional Dysregulation in DBT-Informed Art Therapy in Practice, edited by Susan M. Clark (2021)
HEL-kortene, card deck on creative self-healing in Danish (2020)
Meditations for the Creative Soul: Guided meditation with original music, with Asger von Daler (2015)
Chapter on Creative Mindfulness in Mindfulness and the Arts Therapies, with Lori Schwanbeck, edited by Laury Rappaport (2014)
Training & Professional and Personal Development
Nicholas Wilton's Creative Visionary Program and Art2Life Academy (2025)
Primal Trust Practitioner Training (2025)
Finding Ourselves in Fairy Tales, Sharon Blackie (2025)
Leaders of Love, a yearlong mentorship program with Katherine Woodward Thomas (2022)
Courses by Claire Zammit and Jean Houston in Influencer’s Masterclass (2015–2020)
Studies with Dr. Kelly Brogan in Holistic Psychiatry (2015–2017)
Courses and coaching with Katherine Woodward Thomas and Claire Zammit (2012–2016) in Feminine Power, including a year-long Mastery program
Authorized by the Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice; supervised for authorization by Maja Ulrich and Anne-Marie Harnum in clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy (2013)
Basic education in Thought Field Therapy/EFT, level one, Lars Mygind, Denmark (2011)
Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, including 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, and passing state exams in law, ethics, and clinical practice (2005)
Supervision and therapy with Dr. Tina Stromsted (Authentic Movement & Jungian Psychotherapy) (1999–present)
Supervision by Kate Donohue, Ph.D., weekly for 5 years (excluding vacations), Delfina Piretti, Michael Baugh, Sue Martin; supervision on child therapy in Bay Area schools by Bernie Carter, Pyramid Alternatives
EMDR Training Level 1 (2003)
1-year training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, New Perspectives Center for Counseling (2002)
1-year practical and clinical psychotherapist training, New Perspectives Center (2002), including Ericksonian hypnosis, transpersonal & psychodynamic therapy
European Graduate School, ISIS, Summer Semester in Expressive Arts Therapy (2001)
Osho Energy Reading Training, Osho International Commune, Pune, India (1996)
Psychotherapy with Nina Thymark, Kirsten Berg, and Joan Casey (1992 to 1999)
NLP Master Practitioner, Danish NLP Institute, Copenhagen (1994)
Training & Professional and Personal Development
Nicholas Wilton's Creative Visionary Program and Art2Life Academy (2025)
Primal Trust Practitioner Training (2025)
Finding Ourselves in Fairy Tales, Sharon Blackie (2025)
Leaders of Love, a yearlong mentorship program with Katherine Woodward Thomas (2022)
Courses by Claire Zammit and Jean Houston in Influencer’s Masterclass (2015–2020)
Studies with Dr. Kelly Brogan in Holistic Psychiatry (2015–2017)
Courses and coaching with Katherine Woodward Thomas and Claire Zammit (2012–2016) in Feminine Power, including a year-long Mastery program
Authorized by the Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice; supervised for authorization by Maja Ulrich and Anne-Marie Harnum in clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy (2013)
Basic education in Thought Field Therapy/EFT, level one, Lars Mygind, Denmark (2011)
Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, including 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, and passing state exams in law, ethics, and clinical practice (2005)
Supervision and therapy with Dr. Tina Stromsted (Authentic Movement & Jungian Psychotherapy) (1999–present)
Supervision by Kate Donohue, Ph.D., weekly for 5 years (excluding vacations), Delfina Piretti, Michael Baugh, Sue Martin; supervision on child therapy in Bay Area schools by Bernie Carter, Pyramid Alternatives
EMDR Training Level 1 (2003)
1-year training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, New Perspectives Center for Counseling (2002)
1-year practical and clinical psychotherapist training, New Perspectives Center (2002), including Ericksonian hypnosis, transpersonal & psychodynamic therapy
European Graduate School, ISIS, Summer Semester in Expressive Arts Therapy (2001)
Osho Energy Reading Training, Osho International Commune, Pune, India (1996)
Psychotherapy with Nina Thymark, Kirsten Berg, and Joan Casey (1992 to 1999)
NLP Master Practitioner, Danish NLP Institute, Copenhagen (1994)
Teaching and speaking
Institut for Kunstterapi, Gadbjerg
Ergoterapeutuddannelsen på UCSJ
Foreningen af Kunstterapeuter, DK
Ergoterapeutforeningen, DK
Power of Creativity Telesummit
Iluliaq i Nuuk, Grønland
FTF, København
Senter for Kreativt Udtryk, Norge
Musikterapeuternes Landsklub, DK
California Institute of Integral Studies, USA
New Perspectives Center for Counseling, USA
Hakomi conference at Naropa University, Colorado, USA
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, USA
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, USA
Psykoterapeutisk Uddannelses Center, København
Creative Arts Therapies Symposium, USA
Teaching and speaking
Institut for Kunstterapi, Gadbjerg
Ergoterapeutuddannelsen på UCSJ
Foreningen af Kunstterapeuter, DK
Ergoterapeutforeningen, DK
Power of Creativity Telesummit
Iluliaq i Nuuk, Grønland
FTF, København
Senter for Kreativt Udtryk, Norge
Musikterapeuternes Landsklub, DK
California Institute of Integral Studies, USA
New Perspectives Center for Counseling, USA
Hakomi conference at Naropa University, Colorado, USA
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, USA
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, USA
Psykoterapeutisk Uddannelses Center, København
Creative Arts Therapies Symposium, USA
Professional Experience & Contributions
Creative and trauma-informed art therapy in Ukraine for First Aid of the Soul (2022)
Development of HEL-keys, an online program in natural creativity and self-healing (2020)
Created trauma healing program KIT (2020)
Collaboration with The Art of Transformation as an expert (2019–2020)
Chair of the ethics committee, Association for Integrative Art Therapy (2018)
Vice-chair, Association for Integrative Art Therapy (2016–2018)
External lecturer in art therapy & psychiatry, UCSJ, Næstved (2016–2019)
Supervisor on project EAT with eating disorders and art, Askovhus (2014–2015)
Creative supervision groups from 2008 to 2020.
Developed and taught The Art of Self-Healing courses (from 2019)
Teacher of Art Therapy, Danish Art Therapy Institute (2007-2019) (trauma healing, father-daughter dynamics, developmental psychology, group processes)
Over 20,000 hours of clinical and teaching experience with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and organizations in private and public settings
Private psychotherapy practice since 1994
Developer of the Creative Mindfulness method with Lori Schwanbeck (2005)
Co-founder and partner of Mindfulness Therapy Associates, San Francisco; DBT team member for 1 year
Professional Experience & Contributions
Creative and trauma-informed art therapy in Ukraine for First Aid of the Soul (2022)
Development of HEL-keys, an online program in natural creativity and self-healing (2020)
Created trauma healing program KIT (2020)
Collaboration with The Art of Transformation as an expert (2019–2020)
Chair of the ethics committee, Association for Integrative Art Therapy (2018)
Vice-chair, Association for Integrative Art Therapy (2016–2018)
External lecturer in art therapy & psychiatry, UCSJ, Næstved (2016–2019)
Supervisor on project EAT with eating disorders and art, Askovhus (2014–2015)
Creative supervision groups from 2008 to 2020.
Developed and taught The Art of Self-Healing courses (from 2019)
Teacher of Art Therapy, Danish Art Therapy Institute (2007-2019) (trauma healing, father-daughter dynamics, developmental psychology, group processes)
Over 20,000 hours of clinical and teaching experience with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and organizations in private and public settings
Private psychotherapy practice since 1994
Developer of the Creative Mindfulness method with Lori Schwanbeck (2005)
Co-founder and partner of Mindfulness Therapy Associates, San Francisco; DBT team member for 1 year
Professional memberships
The Danish Psychological Association
The Danish Psychotherapist Association
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
Kunstterapeutforeningen.dk
Professional memberships
The Danish Psychological Association
The Danish Psychotherapist Association
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
Kunstterapeutforeningen.dk
“The most important thing I got from the creative exercises was that I like myself now. I’ve been focusing on living up to expectations – not on living. That’s something totally different.”
Marie, 45, physical therapist
2000 Frederiksberg
Denmark
