Education
Ph.D in Expressive Arts Therapy, Lesley University
M.A. Art Therapy with a concentration in Counseling, Mt. Mary College
Grad Dip., Art Therapy, LaTrobe University
B.A. Psychology, Stonehill College
Laura Teoli, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC leads and teaches in the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program at Cedar Crest College. She earned a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University, an M.S. in Art Therapy with a concentration in Counseling from Mount Mary College, a Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy from La Trobe University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Stonehill College. Her doctoral research was supported by a Dissertation Research Fellowship from Lesley University and examined art therapists’ experiences of creating art alongside clients in group therapy.
Dr. Teoli is an award-winning educator recognized nationally and institutionally for excellence in teaching, mentorship, and student engagement. She received the 2026 Distinguished Educator Award from the American Art Therapy Association, the 2025 Cedar Crest College Alumnae Association Excellence in Teaching Award, and the 2019 Nazareth College Distinction in Teaching Award. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active, art-based, and skills-focused learning. Dr. Teoli’s thoughtfully integrates creative process and experiential work into the classroom, developing innovative approaches to learning.
A board-certified art therapist, art therapy certified supervisor, and licensed professional counselor, Dr. Teoli brings more than two decades of clinical experience as an art therapist and group therapists spanning outpatient, inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization settings. Her clinical expertise includes working with those affected by neurodivergence, anxiety and mood disorders, trauma and disordered eating through a trauma-informed and expressive arts lens. In addition to her academic role, she maintains an active outpatient telehealth art therapy practice.
Dr. Teoli’s scholarly work focuses on art therapy education, arts-based pedagogy, professional identity development, leadership, social justice, and expressive arts. She is the author and co-author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and professional publications. Her research has appeared in leading journals including The Arts in Psychotherapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, and the Journal of Applied Arts and Health. She is an active presenter who has delivered invited workshops, peer-reviewed presentations, and professional training at national and international conferences.