Featured Member: Annette Vaccaro

February 19, 2025

The American Art Therapy Association represents a diversity of professionals, students, and organizations across the nation. We recognize and celebrate the work of our members at all levels through our Featured Member series.

Join Annette March 21st, April 4th, and 11th for the 2025 Supervision Series. Register here.

Has working with a particular client group shaped your professional focus or specialty? What have you learned from working with these clients?

I am most inspired by what the accomplishments of those graduates and how we have moved the profession forward in our region. Art Therapy is thriving and growing in our region. They work with every setting and population and have paved the way for each other to move forward in their careers.

What are your hopes for the future of the art therapy profession?

I hope that training for art therapists can become more accessible. I hope that the many people who are well-positioned to contribute to society in this way.

What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career in art therapy?

Be open to change and opportunities. Try not to know where you might end up and how you might be utilized in a unique way. The art therapy community is one of the most accepting, dedicated and certainly the most creative problem solvers around. They are compassionate and collegial. I am honored to be an art therapist.
 

“I am most excited right now about the developmental journey of the art therapist. I have done recent research about the graduates from the program that I coordinate and have been supervising for 20 years now. In addition, I am learning more and more about online education and how to use technology to enhance our training. The pandemic brought the necessity to stretch our wings in this area.”

— Annette Vaccaro, EdD, LPAT, LPC, SCPsyA, ATR-BC, ATCS, ACS

“The Melt”
2024
Photography

 

Artist’s Statement:

People are shapeshifters (Ni Fhloinn, 2022) in their ability to respond and adapt to the environment. Ecological theories such as Biophelia (2022) or man’s relationship to nature is directly applicable to art therapy practice. Stories, images, and natural materials become the springboard to deepen one’s knowledge and skills and build a sense of wellbeing in the places we inhabit.

How did you get involved with AATA and what keeps you excited about the AATA community?

I have been involved in AATA for many years. First, I joined as an undergraduate which helped to keep me connected to my vision of my future. I have been involved in my State chapter as a delegate, a program planner, membership, and other roles. I’ve been a conference reviewer and presenter. I’ve been a liaison to the State licensing board for the state chapter and involved in Jersey Coast Creates, an initiative to intervene with families after Hurricane Sandy in NJ through a partnership between NJATA and Caldwell University. I host the annual membership meeting for NJATA annually at Caldwell University. There is a role for everyone who wants to be involved.

About Annette Vaccaro, EdD, LPAT, LPC, SCPsyA, ATR-BC, ATCS, ACS

Annette Vaccaro, EdD, LPAT, LCSW, SCPsyA, LPC, ATR-BC, ACS, ATCS, Dr. Annette Vaccaro maintains a general practice with a specialty in clinical supervision, in Livingston, NJ. She is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Academy of Clinical and Applied Psychoanalysis and Director of Academic Affairs at The Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis within the New Jersey Branch campus. Dr. Vaccaro is also an Associate Professor at Caldwell University and Coordinator of their Art Therapy Programs. She is currently preparing the Post Master’s program for online participation from anywhere.

Learn more about Ashley on her website at www.annettevaccaro.com.

 

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