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In the Spotlight: Chasety (Starr) Orner ’08

Chasety (Starr) Orner ’08 followed her passion for art while a student at Lycoming College. It was through art that she found her own peace and inner healing, so she later decided to pursue a career where she could help others through art. Today, she provides art therapy as a licensed professional counselor with Blue Lotus CCS in Williamsport, Pa. Chasety says it is her hope to support members of Lycoming County in personal growth and healing through her services.

You were an art and sculpture major at Lycoming College and earned your master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in art therapy from Edinboro University (now Penn West University). How did Lycoming prepare you for continuing your education? 

Lycoming staff and professors often challenged students to build flexible thinking strategies. My professors encouraged me to explore cultures and concepts outside of my world sphere. Expanding not only awareness but openness to difference helps build empathy and acceptance. Flexibility in thought and tolerance toward change prepared me to be effectively successful in an array of both employment and social interactions.

How did you decide to make the jump from studio arts to counseling? 

When I entered college, my first major was psychology. While I enjoyed my class work, I chose to pursue my passions with a major in studio art. Most artists can attest to the healing qualities of the creative process. When struggling with life transitions and loss, I would turn to art. I had already chosen to work in other helping professions, including education and nursing, and decided to explore the counseling field. I wanted to share the healing experience of creating in a way that supported the personal growth of others. I also wanted to be able to work with an array of different populations and age groups. After some research and interviews, I decided on the art therapy path, finding it both rewarding and inspiring toward my own growth.

You are a registered art therapist with the American Art Therapy Association. Explain what this means to you and how you apply it to your practice. 

The Art Therapy Credentials Board (AATA) is the national credentialing body for art therapists within the U.S. I currently hold both national registration and board certification, meaning that I am qualified in the practice of art therapy. While any counselor can utilize art within therapy, only trained art therapists can practice the nuances of the approach, including specific assessments and techniques. AATA is a professional organization that supports practicing art therapists and is involved in petitioning for licensure. Licensing regulations depend upon the state. Currently, there is no independent license for art therapists in Pennsylvania, something AATA and its state chapter have been advocating for.

You are in the process of opening a Williamsport office for Blue Lotus, a counseling and consulting services group. Talk us through that process. 

I have been incredibly fortunate to have partnered with a former supervisor who had successfully opened her own practice. Blue Lotus CCS is a woman-owned and family-operated business, now opening an office in Williamsport. Following the process of licensing as a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, I am now working with our administrative team to credential with various insurance providers.

I am currently offering services for individuals aged seven and older. I support those experiencing an array of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, personality disorders, traumatic stress, neurodivergence, gender affirming needs, life changes, and relational issues. My therapeutic approaches include Jungian, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and person centered. I am attachment focused, and both Internal Family System and trauma informed. I enjoy incorporating energy work, tarot, meditation, and personality assessment into my techniques. My hope is to be able to support members of Lycoming County in personal growth and healing through a holistic, developmental, systemic, and culturally intersectional approach with art therapy and counseling.

What was your best moment at Lycoming College? 

I have many fond memories of my time attending Lycoming ranging from studio events, trips, and comic interactions with both peers and professors. The times I have visited Lycoming campus following graduation are when I find myself reflecting even more fondly. Returning to see younger artists’ work, visiting with former professors, and enjoying one too many refreshments on The Quad (more appropriate as an alumna) has kept me connected with my time at Lycoming. At one recent Faculty Art Exhibition, I had the privilege of speaking with both past and current faculty, along with both current art students and former alumni. This gathering of curious individuals with an array of viewpoints demonstrates the growth-through-experience-based approach at the heart of Lycoming College.

 

In the Spotlight recognizes members of our alumni community who are doing great things that have been influenced by their time at Lycoming College. Alumni Spotlight submissions are used at the discretion of the College and may be included in the monthly eNews as space and time permit. To participate, submit an Alumni Spotlight questionnaire.