March 18, 2020

To celebrate Creative Arts Therapies Week and the incredible education the College of Nursing and Health Professions affords students, we caught up with some alumni who are more than happy to talk about their Drexel experience.

Natasha Goldstein-Levitas '02, MA, BC-DMT

Why did you choose the College of Nursing and Health Professions Creative Arts Therapies program?

I chose Drexel’s CNHPs CAT program—actually Hahnemann during the time I completed my graduate studies here—as it has always had an excellent and solid reputation. It also helped that my roots are here in Philadelphia.

How was your practicum/internship experience?

My practicums and internships were wonderfully diverse. They offered the opportunity to connect with individuals, including on-site staff members to problem-solve, engage in meaningful discussions and programs and learn first-hand about the joys, challenges and realities of working in the health professions. My on-site and off-site supervisors were diverse, supportive, excited and engaged. These remarkable individuals shared many valuable lessons, including from their own experiences, which I continue to embody and also share with creative arts therapists in training today.

What impact did Drexel’s CAT program have on you?

Overall positive! The Drexel CAT program helped me to increase my ability to problem-solve, to work collaboratively and to trust the process. This program illuminated and changed the lens with which I view my work as a creative arts therapist and of things in general. My empathy, creativity and curiosity continue to develop with each rich and meaningful interaction I have with clients, care partners, students and colleagues alike. .

What advice would you give someone applying to Drexel’s program?

Connect, connect, connect. Be authentic and be yourself. Be open to possibilities. Ask questions and find out as much as you possibly can about your desired field of study. Look for opportunities to observe creative arts therapies and other therapeutic sessions, if possible. Continue to find ways to reconnect with your art (dance, music, visual, other) and with your community.

What makes you a proud alumni of Drexel’s CAT program?

I always enjoyed participating in classes and workshops that encouraged collaboration with other modalities. This experience piqued my interest in interdisciplinary approaches to client care and in working in concert with other healthcare professionals to help improve quality of life for the individuals we serve. I continue to value the special and meaningful connections I have made with my mentors and colleagues. There is a deep sense of community, commitment and care within Drexel’s CAT department that persists- even after all of these years.