In January 2026, I had the privilege of attending the Annual Art Therapy Conference at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. This year’s conference carried the beautiful title:

“Harmonies of the Heart, Courage for the Being.”

As an anthroposophic art therapist, attending this gathering is more than professional development. It feels like an ethical and moral commitment to continue learning, deepening, and renewing my understanding so that I may serve my patients and clients with integrity.

But beyond that, I simply love to learn. Cultivating knowledge and staying connected with living streams of wisdom is essential for my path.

For me, the Goetheanum represents the physical heart of anthroposophy. Founded by Rudolf Steiner, it serves not only as a conference center but as a meeting place for many streams of work inspired by anthroposophy. Here one finds the Medical Section - within which anthroposophic art therapy lives - alongside biodynamic agriculture, Waldorf education, and many other initiatives dedicated to understanding the human being in body, soul, and spirit.

The building itself is deeply symbolic. Its architecture, its intention, and the artistic impulse that shaped it make the Goetheanum a place unlike any other. Being there is both grounding and inspiring.

These encounters were incredibly enriching. Many of the therapists I met work in psychiatric hospitals and clinical settings. When I shared that my practice takes place within a biodynamic farm environment, it sparked many meaningful conversations about how art therapy can live in different contexts.

Listening to the many ways art therapists are bringing their work into the world was deeply inspiring.

The central themes addressed during the conference were highly relevant to our time:

• Burnout

• Depression

• Anxiety

Through lectures, workshops, and case study presentations, we explored how art therapy can support individuals facing both psychological and physical challenges.

Some of the case studies presented addressed work with cancer patients, while others focused on burnout and depression. Each presentation demonstrated how artistic processes can become powerful pathways for healing and transformation.

One of the most touching moments of the conference came during the closing exercise.

Together, we were guided through a visualization of a star - a star that accompanies each of us and represents the unique light we carry into the world.

We reflected on how we would bring that star into our work and into the lives of the people we serve.

It was a simple yet powerful moment of collective intention.

During the conference, a beautiful meditation attributed to Rudolf Steiner was shared:

“I feel in my head the warm power of love.

I feel in my heart the radiant power of thought.

The warm power of love unites with the radiant power of thought.

This strengthens my hands in human deeds for the good.”

This meditation captures something essential about the path of healing through art:

thinking, feeling, and willing working together in service of the good.

The conference also granted 20 hours of continuing education and training, affirming the importance of ongoing study and practice within the field of anthroposophic art therapy.

Yet the most valuable part was something less measurable: the sense of belonging to an international community devoted to healing through art.

Returning to New Hampshire, I carry the inspiration of Dornach with me—along with the quiet responsibility to bring this work into the world with courage and care.