Carol Thayer Cox graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s in art history (and a minor in English) from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia. During the 1970s, while raising her children, she co-owned an art gallery and framing shop in Fredericksburg. Her ongoing interest in combining psychology and art led her back to college. Following post-graduate studies in both disciplines, she earned her master’s in art therapy from George Washington University in 1984. A board-certified art therapist working in psychiatric and psycho-educational settings in the Washington, DC area, she eventually opened a part-time private practice, where she supervised art therapists and other clinicians whose patients made art.

How to communicate what matters has been a primary focus of Carol’s career. 

• Faculty of the graduate art therapy program of George Washington University (assistant director for 10 years).

• Taught in the summer art therapy programs of Vermont College of Norwich University and Pratt Institute of Art & Design.

• Published works in book chapters and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. Click here to see her list of publications.

• Presented papers and offered workshops nationally and internationally for 35 years on mandala theory and the cycle of human development from a Jungian perspective.

• Lectured widely on the study of trauma and a structural approach to assessing art.

• Founder of MUSE, a performing arts troupe that presented for years teaching psychological theory through art, dance, music, and poetry. 

Carol has devoted much of her career as an art therapist to teaching, supervising, researching, theorizing, collaborating with colleagues, and writing. Now retired and widowed, Carol continues to write, offer workshops, and occasionally present at universities and national conferences when invited.

Inspired by the creativity of her family, friends, colleagues, students, and former clients, she enjoys photography, making art, writing poetry, playing the Native American flute, and spending time by the sea. Encouraged by her mother’s words, “Try to leave the world a better place,” Carol passionately advocates for peace, social justice, and a greener environment.