AATA Blog

“Work to make space to listen to your own heart journey and maximize on your strengths. When you find others who resonate with your work, keep them close. They do not necessarily have to be art therapists. I see research as advocacy in that it can be transformative and authentically life-changing.”

“I had an absolutely wonderful time at this past year’s AATA conference in Pittsburgh, PA. For my first time attending an AATA Conference, I was able to reunite with art therapists I met and admired in the field. I learned about the different applications art therapy has within different populations. I was able to be a witness to the active support art therapists gave to each other, and this furthered my motivation to work towards my goals within the field. ‘This is where I belong!’ ”

“It’s crucial that the field of art therapy continues to prioritize inclusivity and genuinely meet participants where they are. This means actively working to decenter power dynamics within therapeutic relationships and increasing awareness of the many social justice issues we face in our world today.”

“ I am an art therapist who strongly believes in the insight we gain through expressing our ideas in art while in the presence of another. It is powerful how much we learn about ourselves and others, which ultimately frees us from defensive restrictions.”

“My hopes for the future of the art therapy profession are centered around increasing recognition and accessibility to this valuable form of therapy. Art therapy has been shown to have a significant impact on mental health and well-being, making it a crucial tool for individuals facing various challenges and conditions. I believe that art therapy should be recognized nationally and integrated into healthcare systems, schools, and community programs. This recognition can help increase funding and resources for art therapy programs, making them more widely available to those who may not be able to afford it otherwise.”

“Becoming an art therapist has been an incredible journey for me so far. I’ve had the opportunity to watch my clients grow and they constantly inspire me. There’s something that my good friend (and peer) LauraChioma Jones said that has stuck with me as I’m finishing school about art therapy: “It’s not always magic, but sometimes it is.” Sometimes what we do truly does feel like magic, and I can’t wait to see what magical moments happen throughout the rest of my career.”

“In the hands of a well-trained therapist, there is no doubt the process of art-making is powerful, both clinically and personally. Art IS the inspiration. Art is our vehicle to bridge an understanding of the unthinkable, to express what sometimes cannot be expressed in any other way, whether to others or to ourselves. In the words of Georgia O’Keeffe, ‘I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way- things I had no words for.’ Connecting with other Art Therapists is important in the journey, especially if one chooses to work in communities where there may be few, if any, fellow art therapists. AATA helps provide those connections.”

“I used to teach in contemporary abstract art museums and my favorite thing included people who came in with an assumption about the art, but when they sat with it and learned more about it and the person who made it, their beliefs were altered. This is something I love to experience with art therapy clients as well.”

“What excites me about my work is witnessing the profound, non-verbal power of art therapy across various populations, including those who are grieving, incarcerated youth, and individuals recovering from addiction. Art therapy enables the expression of emotions that might be too overwhelming or painful to verbalize, and it teaches new coping strategies and methods to manage stress, anger, and frustration.”

“Studying art therapy has been a life-changing experience. In my 40s, I finally found myself like “a bird in the sky.” Every day is fulfilling and rewarding. I am excited to devote myself to art therapy for the rest of my life.”