April 13, 2017
Janice (Nannie) Mead, MS, ATR-BC, LPC, MAADC-II serves as board secretary of the Kansas Art Therapy Association (KATA) and works full time as a trauma and addiction art psychotherapist for Ozanam, a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for adolescents. Nannie values her AATA membership especially for the access to important information about the profession and the opportunity the conference provides to network and exchange information. She most frequently accesses AATA resources that provide her timely and critical updates related to best practices, educational standards, and position statements related to media coverage of art therapy. The annual conference enables her to “maintain enthusiasm and current knowledge in art therapy” and to “connect to pioneers of the field.” This year, Nannie is honored to be a presenter at the conference in Albuquerque, NM.
As an art psychotherapist, she finds that “art is beneficial in allowing clients to communicate using non-threatening materials” and that “metaphor creates a safe buffer between the artist and the troubling issue.” Within the profession, Nannie is particularly interested in the neurobiology of trauma and addiction, as well as the effectiveness of art therapy in their treatment. Her desire for the future of the field is to have legal recognition of art therapy as a distinct profession through licensure in every state.
Nannie additionally teaches art therapy at Avila University and owns Art Affects, LLC, a private counseling and art therapy practice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
“Sunday Ritual” by Nannie Mead. Vintage barbed wire, copper, glass, semi-precious stones, brass, Missouri River stone, and current medallions from Ancient Egyptian molds.
Artist statement: “Inspired by vintage barbed wire, recent artifacts created from ancient Egyptian jewelry molds, natural objects and semi-precious stones, jewelry making is a passion and self-care practice.”