I’m Dr. Naiara Belart, a certified art therapist, educator, and digital creative working at the intersection of mental health, expressive arts, and emerging technologies. With a PhD in Expressive Arts Therapy (Summa Cum Laude, European Graduate School), I specialize in blending traditional and digital modalities to promote emotional expression, identity exploration, and holistic healing — particularly for individuals navigating eating disorders, obesity, and neurodiversity.
Currently based at HUG – Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, I facilitate art therapy groups using an innovative blend of VR, robotics, interactive media, and digital storytelling. Each session becomes a space where inner voices, challenges, and strengths are made visible — and co-created. Since September 2020, I have also been supervising group social skills sessions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at Autisme Genève — a continuation of the research I conducted for my doctoral thesis, "Engaging Visual Thinkers on the Autism Spectrum: An intervention using digital arts in expressive arts therapy to improve emotion recognition and communication skills, and to develop cognitive, technical, and social capabilities."
My therapeutic approach is grounded in fine arts, digital media, psychology, and emotional intelligence. I hold a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, a Master in 3D Animation and Computer Graphics (CEV Madrid), formal training in Child and Adolescent Psychology (EQBS), a Postgraduate Degree in Art Therapy from Metáfora (Barcelona), and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Art Therapy from École L’Atelier (Genève).Alongside my clinical practice, I am deeply committed to digital education and creative empowerment.
My teaching experience spans international contexts — from lecturing in 3D computer graphics at the University of Science and Technology Beijing to working as a 3D artist in New York prior to transitioning into art therapy. In Geneva, I teach Digital Citizenship and Robotics across various public and private schools, and serve as a STEAM instructor at École la Découverte, Collège du Léman, and Ecolint | International School of Geneva. My educational approach blends technical innovation with emotional literacy, helping children and adolescents develop self-awareness, digital ethics, and creative expression through technology.
My current research and professional focus is on expanding the field of Digital Mental Health, Cyberpsychology, and the use of Virtual Reality in Therapy. I am particularly passionate about exploring how AI tools (for non-programmers) and immersive platforms can support embodied emotional work, non-verbal expression, and inclusive therapeutic experiences.
Multilingual in Spanish, French, and English, I work internationally and am always open to creative, interdisciplinary collaborations that explore the future of healing and education in a digital age.
