About Elizabeth Cockey

Born in Greenwich, N.Y., Elizabeth Cockey discovered a strong appreciation for art and its effects on the human mind at a young age. She holds degrees in art, psychology, and art therapy. For many years, Cockey enjoyed a successful career as a graphic designer and marketing executive. It wasn't until ten years ago that she realized her professional desire to put down the briefcase and pick up the paintbrush. Since then she has become a full-time recreational artist, working with mental health patients as an art therapist.

Elizabeth Cockey is also a speaker and consultant for retirement communities and a powerful advocate for therapeutic programs throughout the Baltimore/Washington area. She began incorporating art as a technique in therapy nearly eight years ago, and has since offered her programs in a variety of settings from long-term care facilities to Good Samaritan Hospital's Nursing Center and Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Hospital. Cockey's clientele consists of those with mental and physical disorders including dementia, stroke, clinical depression, and Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to holding weekly art therapy sessions for patients, Cockey coordinates and produces art exhibitions featuring the artwork and paintings of residents in retirement communities throughout the Baltimore area. Initially, she served as a middle school counselor, creating and implementing experimental art programs for seventh and eighth grade students with social and emotional challenges.

Cockey decided to write Gertrude's Cupboard (now Drawn From Memory) after her oldest son fell seriously ill six years ago. In it, she recounts the difficult experience of bringing him back to Baltimore to nurse him back to health on her own. At that time, she was living month-to-month yet remained determined to continue her career as an art therapist. She was inspired to share her story after working through her hardships with the help of an elderly woman named Gertrude. Despite her dementia, Gertrude's gift of prayer helped Cockey in her time of need.

Cockey has two sons and currently resides with her husband in Baltimore, Maryland. She offers art therapy classes at six different hospitals and retirement communities in the area. Her goal is to replicate herself by training other health care professionals to use art as therapy.