Meet Elisha-Rio Apilado
Elisha-Rio Apilado, LCPC, ATR, is a Filipina American psychotherapist and art therapist whose work explores the intersection of creativity, identity, culture, and mental health. She currently provides therapy to healthcare professionals at a Chicago hospital and works with adult individuals through a group private practice.
Elisha-Rio holds a dual master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Adler University. Prior to becoming a therapist, she spent over a decade working in advertising, graphic design, and branding; experience that continues to inform her creative and reflective approach to therapy.
Her work integrates art therapy, cultural reflection, and conversation to support individuals and communities in exploring identity, emotional well-being, and meaningful personal growth.
Creative Roots
& Creative Practice
A background in advertising and marketing continues to shape Elisha-Rio’s work in therapy and art therapy; an unexpected path that now informs how she connects with others and shares her work.
While her work centers on supporting individuals, she also recognizes that therapists need support in shaping their voice and presence. Training often teaches how to care for others, but not how to communicate that work or reach the communities they hope to serve. This perspective informs her commitment to helping clinicians develop their professional identity in ways that feel authentic and aligned.
In addition to therapy, Elisha-Rio facilitates workshops on art therapy, cultural identity, and mental health, creating space for dialogue within Filipino and Asian American communities.