Roxie Ehlert

Roxie Ehlert is an Adjunct Professor in the Art Therapy graduate program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A licensed therapist (ATR-BC, LCPC), she specializes in clinical work with survivors of sexual violence, particularly LGBTQ+, immigrant, and refugee populations. Her practice integrates trauma-informed, feminist relational frameworks emphasizing human intimacy, authenticity, and conflict as healing modalities.

As an educator, she employs anti-oppression Popular Education methodologies, empowering students to critically engage with power dynamics, privilege, and cultural humility. She co-founded ArtWorks, a Chicago-based community studio fostering intercultural dialogue through collaborative art-making. Her art practice explores themes of dislocation, queer belonging, and home via mixed media including stitch work, installation, photography, encaustic collage, and performance.

Roxie’s career spans diverse settings: community mental health, rape crisis centers, immigration detention systems, private practice, and community studios. She emphasizes holistic healing approaches, blending art therapy with mindfulness facilitation. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to social justice, transformative education, and bridging cultural divides through creative expression.