The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) shares in the concerns we are facing as a nation and a global community regarding the dynamic developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We stand with our art therapy community and people around the world, keeping everyone’s health—physical and emotional—as our number one priority. Peoples’ worry about their health and that of loved ones is compounded by the potential economic hardships and the struggle to rearrange work or study schedules and flow of their everyday lives.

We hope that you’re as excited as we are about AATA’s new online continuing education platform! With over 100 courses now available‒all relevant to art therapy‒these online offerings remain your source for continuing education and professional development. Here are five things that will enhance your user and learning experience.

 AATA News

While exciting developments in art therapy licensing legislation have continued to occur, uncertainties around COVID-19 have begun to impact legislative schedules as the public health crisis continues to unfold. Here is a quick update:

•  The sunrise review proposal was approved in Nebraska
•  A new licensure bill was introduced in Louisiana
•  We are also monitoring a unique situation regarding the licensure bill in Virginia which was presented to the Governor

Click here to download information and guidelines about the new poster sessions. Undergraduate Poster proposals must be submitted electronically via email to conferenceinfo@arttherapy.org, no later than March 20, 2020. 

Cultural differences and similarities interest me. Putting together attachment theory, mindfulness, trauma work that are based in neuroscience, all nested within socio-cultural contexts is like piecing together a mosaic or a quilt. The clients get to re-author their lives and I get to co-create as I go along on the journey of therapy. The clients teach me humility.

We are pleased to announce a new online meeting series hosted by AATA Board President Dr. Margaret Carlock Russo where we'd like to share with members all about AATA! Each meeting will focus on a special topic related to the organization and the community—it's an opportunity to both learn about current events and updates related to AATA and discuss these goings-on with staff, leaders and fellow members. We are kicking off on March 19 at 8:00 PM EST with a discussion on how AATA puts together its Annual Conference. Learn more about what goes into organizing the event, including highlights and our brand new program schedule. Join us for a one-hour webinar conversation followed by live one-hour post-meeting conversation on the MyAATA forum.

AATA News              

Every year, we recognize members who are elevating the field, and we support the next generation of art therapists who will transform the profession. This is your opportunity to honor colleagues and recognize the unsung heroes and visionaries of the field or take the next step in your career by applying for a scholarship. Read below and find more information on MyAATA for opportunities in the following categories (listed by application deadline): Scholarships (May 1),  Honors (June 15), Research (June 15) and Governmental Affairs (June 15). Please reach out to info@arttherapy.org with any questions.

Video: Lauren Wozniak, LPC, ATR and Willow House program manager, and Elly Lemmons, a Willow House client, discuss details on the second annual Benefit of Laughter comedy event for Willow House in Bannockburn, IL. Willow House provides grief support services for individuals and families. The event features emcee Patti Vasquez with headliners Jeannie Doogan and Chelsea Hood.

Farah Salem, photographer and art therapist, recently spent time at Syrian Community Network’s afterschool art program with participants, their parents and their teachers to document an art-making class and tutoring session. Founded in 2015, the SCN helps refugee children stay connected to home.

The National Endowment for the Arts has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health to expand the telehealth component of Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network to Indianapolis’ Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Creative Forces is a program that provides service members and veterans suffering from brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder access to creative arts therapies.

Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist Susan Sweet teaches complimentary group art therapy classes weekly at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. The program gives patients impacted by cancer or other chronic illnesses a safe place to their explore emotions.

Video: Seven-year-old Maggie Lee has been through a lot in her short life. She's battled brain cancer and is now out of treatment. She credits her art therapist and their drawing and painting sessions with helping her deal with her diagnosis and fight the disease.

Video: Nebraska-based mental health organization Heartland Counseling Services held the second part of a self-care workshop earlier this week at a local high school. Jennifer Jackson, executive director of Heartland Counseling Services and registered art therapist, led the workshops, which aim to help employees explore mental health and self care through activities that promote positive thinking.

This article dives into the misconceptions of art therapy as a field and profession, and includes a discussion of creative techniques as vehicles of self-expression and and how licensed and credentialed art therapists use a unique set of skills to guide an individual to uncover messages and symbols in various art forms.