About Lyssa
Lyssa Harvey, Ed.S has dedicated her life’s work to making a difference in children and families. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Parent Coach she worked in her private practice with parents to find Positive Solutions to help their children. With over 50 years of experience in working with children and helping parents Mrs. Harvey has become one of South Carolina’s experts in helping families.
Lyssa Harvey Ed.S is a teacher, therapist and an artist. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Board Credentialed Art and Play Therapist, Parent Coach and recently retired owner of her private practice The Art and Play Therapy Center of South Carolina. Her private practice focused on Counseling children, adolescents and families. With over 50 years of experience working with children and helping parents Mrs. Harvey has become one of Columbia’s experts in helping families.
Mrs. Harvey graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSED in Art Education and completed her Masters in Art Therapy at The Hertsfordshire University in England. She received her Ed.S in Counselor Education at the University of South Carolina in 1995. This graduate degree helped to launch a 30 year career in private practice; as well as training and credentialing counselors across the state. Ms. Harvey is a S.C. Department of Labor and Licensing provider for Licensed Professional Counselors. Mrs. Harvey, as a supervisor and mentor for Licensed Professional Counselors has credentialed over 50 therapists for the State of South Carolina. She is a National Art and Play Therapist provider and provided training and credentialing for Art and Play Therapists throughout the region.
Mrs. Harvey has developed and implemented Art and Play therapy programs in hospitals, and schools throughout the state of South Carolina. Her interest in helping children and individuals with special needs led her to develop programs that began with her work in the 70’s at the SC Department of Developmental Disabilities where she brought the Kennedy Center’s Very Special Arts program to the South Carolina in order to increase awareness of the creative capability of individuals with developmental disabilities. She developed Art Therapy programs in schools for Richland School District I, Palmetto Baptist and Richland Hospitals (now PRISMA) and The Palmetto Richland Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders now PRISMA Children’s Hospital) where there is a permanent Art Therapy exhibit Children of Hope.
Mrs. Harvey was appointed by Governor Hodges to serve as the Second District Commissioner for the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs from 2001-2006.
Mrs. Harvey has served on the Edventure Children’s Museum task force to develop programs for children with special needs. She developed a statewide arts program called Caring Colors for adults with dementia and provided Arts and Accessibilities training for the SC Arts Commission. Mrs. Harvey has presented at state and national conferences on creativity, counseling, and Art and Play Therapy.
Mrs. Harvey, involvement in her Columbia community has been an integral part of her life. She has been recognized for her leadership in many community and state boards, Workshop Theatre, The Family Connection, Keep the Midlands Beautiful Board of Director’s chair, 701 Center for Contemporary Arts and Historic Columbia.
Mrs. Harvey created and orchestrates The Shalom Art Project, a community mural project. The Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Jackson, The USC Dance Marathon, and other community groups have created murals that are hanging on walls in Columbia agencies and care facilities
One of the highlights in her work serving the South Carolina Community, was her help in creating The Columbia Holocaust Education Commission and served as the co-chair for 20 years. She was the co-creator of the Holocaust Remembered Exhibit. Over 10,000 SC school children have toured this exhibit. She was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 2017 for her contributions in the Jewish and Columbia Community.
Mrs. Harvey's work as a therapist and educator over the years has paralleled her work as an artist. She has won awards for her work in watermedia. Her award winning South Carolina Waterscapes brings awareness to preserve South Carolina’s wetlands and coast. She is a Signature Member of the SC Watermedia Society and has exhibited her work at Piccolo Spoleto, and in Columbia and Charleston galleries. Her artwork was recently featured on the cover of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine for her work as a therapist and an artist. Her work is presently represented by Low Country Artists Gallery of Charleston.