About Us
Transforming lives of North Carolina's neurodivergent
adults and youth through experiential counseling.
Welcome to Kindred Art Therapy and Counseling, where we believe in the transformative power of creativity and connection.
Our mission is to provide a safe, compassionate space for neurodivergent adults and youth in North Carolina to explore their emotions, process life's challenges, and discover inner peace through experiential counseling.
At Kindred, we use art therapy and other creative modalities to help clients access calm, tap into their innate creativity, and navigate their personal healing journeys. Our approach is collaborative and client-centered, empowering individuals to rely not only on themselves and their therapist but also on the art-making process as a supportive container for growth and self-expression.
Our team of experienced clinicians specializes in addressing challenges such as work-life balance, mood regulation, executive functioning, and relationship dynamics. Whether you're seeking support for trauma, stress management, or improving self-awareness, we’re here to guide you in building the life you deserve.
Offering both in-person and online services, Kindred is dedicated to making therapy accessible and meaningful for every client. Explore how creativity and connection can transform your life—because healing begins with a single brushstroke.
Our In-Person Space
Our Story
Kindred Art Therapy and Counseling was born from a passion for helping individuals find calm, clarity, and connection through creativity. Our founder envisioned a practice where art and counseling could seamlessly merge to provide a safe space for healing and self-discovery. Rooted in the belief that everyone possesses innate creativity, Kindred was established to guide neurodivergent adults and youth in North Carolina toward lives of balance, purpose, and fulfillment.
Over the years, we have grown into a trusted resource for those seeking experiential counseling that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Our approach emphasizes the power of art as a tool for transformation, offering clients a supportive container to explore emotions, process pain, and embrace growth. At Kindred, we are proud to witness every breakthrough, brushstroke, and step forward, celebrating the courage and resilience of our community.
About Aubrey
Aubrey Baptista, LCMHC, ATR-BC
Founder, Kindred Art Therapy and Counseling
Aubrey Baptista is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Board-Certified Art Therapist with a passion for helping individuals harness their creativity to foster growth and healing. With over a decade of experience, Aubrey has worked with diverse populations, including neurodivergent youth and adults, blending evidence-based practices with the transformative power of art therapy.
Guided by a compassionate and collaborative approach, Aubrey creates a safe and supportive space where clients can process emotions, explore their inner worlds, and discover lasting resilience. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy from Lesley University and is dedicated to empowering her clients to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and clarity.
MEET YOUR CLINICIAN
Kristy Little, LCMHC
Kristy is a seasoned trauma therapist with a heart for helping people reconnect with themselves after life’s most difficult chapters. With over a decade of clinical experience, she’s walked alongside teens, adults, couples, and families through anxiety, grief, identity loss, and relational struggles—always with deep empathy and unwavering presence.
Clients love Kristy’s calming, grounded style and the way she blends evidence-based techniques like CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy with mindfulness and creative practices. Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of trauma, managing anxiety, or trying to repair relationships, Kristy brings clarity, compassion, and a clear plan for healing.
She’s also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and she gets how trauma lives in the body. Her sessions are safe, structured, and built around what matters most to you. You don’t have to “be strong” here—just come as you are.
MEET YOUR CLINICIAN
Shelley Heath, LCMHCA
Shelley Heath, MA, LCMHCA, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with a passion for integrating art and expressive arts therapy into mental health care. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Shelley has experience working with diverse populations, including neurodivergent individuals, students, and survivors of domestic violence. During her time at Brevard College, she worked with individuals of various backgrounds, identities, and orientations, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
To make therapy more accessible, Shelley offers sliding scale options for clients who may need financial flexibility. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and creative space for individuals seeking healing and personal growth.
MEET YOUR CLINICIAN
Migna du Plessis, LCMHCA
Migna is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with a passion for helping children and adolescents strengthen their emotional resilience and sense of self. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Migna’s approach is person-centered and grounded in creative expression, drawing from parts work, Gestalt, and other experiential methods that deepen mind-body awareness. She believes therapy should be a collaborative and supportive process that empowers young people to express emotions, improve communication, and stay true to who they are.
Clients appreciate Migna’s warm, authentic presence and the way she blends structure with creativity to make therapy both grounding and engaging. Under the supervision of Aubrey Baptista, MA, LCMHC, QS, ATR-BC, Maria provides compassionate, developmentally attuned counseling designed to foster self-understanding, confidence, and growth.
MEET YOUR CLINICIAN
Michelle McCoy, MFA
Michelle is a clinical mental health counseling intern with Kindred Art Therapy, offering low-cost therapy for $30 per session. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lenoir-Rhyne University and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Michelle’s approach blends talk therapy with creative modalities, including art and expressive arts. Drawing from Relational-Cultural Theory and Internal Family Systems, she helps clients build self-understanding, improve relationships, and foster a deeper sense of connection. She brings warmth, empathy, creativity, and a grounded sense of humor to every session.
With over 16 years of experience in the therapeutic field through her work in human resources and operations, Michelle offers a compassionate, supportive space where adults can explore transitions, strong emotions, relationship challenges, recovery, or creative blocks. Under the supervision of Aubrey Baptista, MA, LCMHC, QS, ATR-BC, Michelle provides affordable, growth-oriented counseling that empowers clients to reconnect with their sense of self and move toward healing.
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