Thank You for Being Part of Our Community This Year

We, at AATA, are so proud of our members at the end of another challenging year. AATA members have worked through burnout, civil unrest, political turmoil and the second year of a global health crisis — all the while helping their clients through these circumstances and more.

As well, AATA has been able to accomplish some important goals in advocacy, aiding with a licensure gain in Tennessee, keeping the ground that we’ve already won and in supporting the career development of our members by offering more online continuing education. We've offered our first ever course in Spanish, networking opportunities, mentor opportunities, a job board, the art therapist locator and research opportunities to our membership. None of this would be possible without the amazing work of our members, who selflessly volunteer their time and participate in our online forums and virtual meetings so that every voice is heard. Our members, individual donors and our generous sponsors have made 2021 another great year for scholarship opportunities for art therapists who are just beginning their journey into the profession.

This past year illustrated for me the incredible community that our members are creating and how important that community has become in aiding our members in overcoming many of the obstacles that have arisen in 2021. Our members come together daily to help each other through any number of shared difficulties — from credentialing issues to burnout — and our community has continued to offer one another invaluable help. Our community has helped us, at AATA, to better ourselves by participating in surveys and listening sessions, which have served to inform our decision making in regard to governance and the future of the profession, especially in regard to diversity, equity and inclusion. As my term comes to an end, I want to share with you how extremely honored I am that I had the opportunity to serve you, our members, and to grow with our community. 

I hope you will continue to engage with AATA — whether you’re a long-time member or are new to the association. On behalf of the AATA Board of Directors, I am so grateful that you’re a part of our art therapy community.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones in the New Year!

Margaret Carlock-Russo, EdD, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS

AATA President