AATA’s Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are spaces created for our members to connect based on shared identities, interests, or practice areas. The creation of these spaces are important in cultivating community and belonging within our association. While AATA provides the venue at the In-Person Conference and helps facilitate the conversation year-round within the MyAATA Member Community—these SIGs are peer created and peer led.

When you join a SIG, we encourage you to actively participate in the virtual discussions (e.g. share resources, answer questions, or offer insights), to help create a vibrant and engaged community.

Join a SIG at AATA2025

AATA Journal, Oct 9, 11 – 11:50am

Led by Emily Nolan, Theresa Van Lith, James Bulosan, Sheila de la Peña, Sojung Park, and Gretchen Miller

For aspiring and seasoned authors, editorial members of Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association will entertain questions about the publication process, alleviate misconceptions, and offer advice to authors. Participants are encouraged to identify knowledge from their practices to make notable contributions to the art therapy literature.

Advocacy, Oct 10, 12 noon – 12:50pm

Led by Liz Hlavek

This SIG will explore strategies and tactics for licensure advocacy campaigns and other plans to advance the art therapy profession. Join us to share ideas or experiences, or learn how to get involved and advance art therapy within your state. 

Art, Oct 9, 11 – 11:50am

Led by Julie Ludwig

The Art SIG invites you to the exploration of creative stagnation and art production cessation resulting from clinical distractions and repetitive art directives. Through creative collaboration the group will explore how burnout can diminish the energy of artistic motivation. Based on our creative collectivism we seek activation and re-activation of creative desire and artistic production.

Asian Culture, Oct 9, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Maria Kim

The Asian Art Therapists SIG serves as a community space for art therapists who identify as Asian and for those interested in exploring the intersections of Asian identities, cultural heritage, and art therapy practice. This SIG fosters dialogue around the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges faced by Asian art therapists and clients, and promotes culturally responsive approaches within the profession. Through resource sharing, collaborative learning, and advocacy, the group aims to amplify Asian voices, support professional development, and cultivate solidarity within and beyond the AATA.

Assessment, Oct 11, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Traci Bitondo

Are you passionate about art therapy assessment and looking to connect with others who share your interests? If so, please join us during this SIG meeting! This participant-led session explores innovative assessment tools and techniques through collaborative discussions and shared experiences. Attendees are encouraged to contribute their insights and engage with group members to enhance the collective understanding of art therapy assessments and their use in our practices.

BIPOC, Oct 10, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Miki Nishida Goerdt

A gathering for Art Therapists identifying as Black, Indigenous or from a racially oppressed peoples to share their clinical, personal and career experiences. This is a dedicated space for art therapists from racially oppressed backgrounds to have the opportunity to connect and support one another. We’re welcoming equitable and productive dialogue.

Bilingual/Multilingual Art Therapists, Oct 9, 4 – 4:50pm

Led by Nadia Paredes and Ric Avila

The Bilingual/Multilingual Art Therapists SIG’s purpose is to empower bilingual and multilingual art therapists by highlighting the unique strengths and advantages their linguistic and cultural abilities bring to the profession. The group aims to foster a supportive network that enhances cross-cultural understanding, broadens the range of therapeutic approaches, and improves clinical outcomes.

Children and Adolescents, Oct 9, 12 noon – 12:50am

Led by Michelle Itczak

This group is for art therapists who work with children and adolecents, and want to connect with colleagues to discuss ideas, tools, and challenges.

Disaster Response, Oct 11, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Joseph Scarce

We invite attendees to share their experiences of how art therapy is beneficial in supporting those who have gone through natural disasters, mass violence, and crises. Open discussion on staying connected, with updates on prior and current art therapy disaster relief efforts.

Ethics, Oct 11, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Deborah Fung

The Ethics SIG will be hosted by the current ethics committee chair. We would like to hear about and discuss any ethical issues that art therapists or art therapy students are encountering and discern how we can provide resources and guidance. There will be opportunity to discuss and propose updates to the document Ethical Principles for Art Therapists. Finally, we would like to offer space to make art together about encounters with ethical decision making.

Forensics, Oct 10, 4 – 4:50pm

Led by Casey Barlow and Evie Soape

Are you interested in art therapy and forensics? Please come join in the conversation at this shared interest group open to all levels of interest and experience! Together, let’s explore some of the advancements and complications of clinical work and research within these multifaceted populations and settings.

Grief and Loss, Oct 10, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Alicia Seymour

International, Oct 10, 7 – 7:50am

Led by Marie Deschamps

This meeting is for anyone interested in international art therapy, for those living and working in other countries, or international students studying in the US. Come network with art therapists from around the world to discover what is happening in various regions and inform others of your interests and skills for collaborations.

LGBTQIA+, Oct 10, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Zachary Van Den Berg and Kachina Mooney 

This special interest group is welcoming those who identify as LGBTQIA+ to join together in solidarity across differences as art therapists, students, educators, supervisors, and cultural workers. Our aim is to build community, share experiences, and make art together in this unique space. Join us!

Medical, Oct 9, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Brittany Dray

Join to connect with art therapists working in medical settings to discuss current roles, challenges and goals for advocacy. We will explore ways to support and build our medical art community.

Men, Oct 9, 4 – 4:50pm

Led by Mac Belgrod and Michael Galarraga

Join male art therapists in this space to share, create, and foster sustainable professional development opportunities. We hold space for individuals to explore their male identity in the field of art therapy and how to remain connected beyond the annual conference experience.

Museums, Oct 10, 11 – 11:50am

Led by Kathryn Snyder

This SIG is for art therapists who have worked in museum or gallery settings or have an interest in doing so. Our aim is to create a space for sharing resources and create a community of practice regarding this unique practice space/interest. We strive for rich dialogue among like-minded peers engaged in the work of providing art therapy services- from consultation to workshops to therapeutic and therapy practice-within the space of museums and/or galleries of all types.

Neurodiversity, Oct 9, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Zoe Armstrong

Neurodiversity is the concept that there are different ways that an individual’s brain processes information, functions and presents behaviorally. Instead of thinking that there is a problem, neurodiversity embraces the differences (Resnick). Do you connect with being neurodivergent and/or work with individuals that are neurodivergent? Join us for a discussion on how to support each other to improve upon being an art therapist that embraces neurodiversity.

Neuroscience, Oct 10, 12noon – 12:50pm

Led by Christianne Strang

Network, compare treatment approaches, exchange ideas, and share resources.

Open Studio Process, Oct 11, 3 – 3:50pm

Led by Maria Kim

The Open Studio Process SIG is dedicated to exploring and advancing the use of Open Studio Process (OSP) within art therapy and related fields. This SIG offers a platform for practitioners, educators, and researchers to engage with the principles of OSP, emphasizing the value of process over product, creative freedom, and non-judgmental witnessing. Members exchange insights, share adaptations across settings, and advocate for the integration of OSP as a healing, inclusive, and empowering practice. The group welcomes both experienced facilitators and those newly curious about the Open Studio approach.

Research, Oct 11, 11 – 11:50am

Led by Kerry Kruk-Borisov

We will explore the critical role of research in advancing art therapy education and practice. This special interest group is designed for educators, practitioners, and researchers who are dedicated to enhancing the empirical foundations of art therapy. Our sessions will delve into the current state of art therapy research, identifying gaps and needs that must be addressed to propel the field forward.

Service Learning, Oct 10, 12noon – 12:50pm

Led by Katherine Jackson

Interested in organizing or participating in a service learning trip? Come chat with collegues who have engaged in these unqiue experiences stateside and abroad!

Students, Oct 11, 11 – 11:50am

Led by TBA

This is a conversation led by students for students to talk about their academic journeys.

Substance Abuse, Oct 9, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Patricia Quinn

By connecting with like-minded professionals, participants will be able to share resources, exchange knowledge, and collaboratively advance their practices in meaningful ways.

Undergraduate, Oct 10, 4 – 4:50pm

Led by Jennifer Schwartz

Join us to connect with undergraduate art therapy educators, share resources, and learn more about the AATA undergraduate education subcommittee. Input and updates on proposed undergraduate guidelines will be discussed.

Varying Abilities, Oct 11, 12noon – 12:50pm

Led by Stacey Nelson

This group is specifically for individuals who either live with disabilities and/or work with clients who do. Attendees can expect to share knowledge, experiences and network.

Veterans, Oct 10, 2 – 2:50pm

Led by Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff

This session will provide the opportunity for participants to discuss experiences working with active-duty service members, veterans, their families within a variety of settings or their own experience as a service member. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to share information about their settings and help further build a community of support within the professional organization.

Connect Virtually, Year Round with SIGs

As an AATA Member, you can connect with SIG members anytime via the MyAATA Community. Log in here. 

Students

This is a conversation led by students for students to talk about their academic journeys. Join here in MyAATA

Educators

We invite AATA Members who are educators at all levels, from grade school to doctoral to join us. Join here in MyAATA

Undergraduate Educators

We invite AATA Members who are undergraduate educators to be a part of this conversation. Join here in MyAATA

LGBTQIA/Queer

Those who identify as LGBTQ+ are invited to join this special interest group to make meaningful connections and process community-related concerns with their fellow peers. Join here in MyAATA

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is central to the convergence of the arts and psychological sciences. Join us for a discussion neuroscience and art therapy. Join here in MyAATA

International

We invite AATA members who are practicing internationally and those interested in international work to come together and connect. Join here in MyAATA

Private Practice

We invite AATA members who are working in or are interested in private practice to come together and share their knowledge and experiences. Join here in MyAATA

Art Therapists Working in Art Education

We invite AATA Members who are working as art educators to come together and share their knowledge and experiences. 

School-Based Art Therapists 

This community aims to bring together school-based art therapists working in schools across the United States. Many art therapists are the sole practitioner at their school. During a time when students are facing increasing and ever-changing mental health needs, join us here to share ideas and experiences, or ask questions! Join here in MyAATA

Veterans

This is a group for anyone who currently works with, or is interested in working with, veterans — or anyone who is a veteran or military service member. Those working with first responders also welcome. Join here in MyAATA

Medical Settings

We invite AATA members who are working in medical settings such as hospitals to join us. Join here in MyAATA