Join us for Master-Level Clinical Supervision Sessions at AATA’s In-Person Conference in Charlotte! These sessions are led by subject matter experts working with specific populations or settings to assist art therapy professionals to address clinical questions and concerns.

Master-Level Clinical Supervision Sessions

The Art in Art Therapy
Oct. 17, 12 noon – 12:50pm

Moderated by TBA

Participants will discuss the multifaceted nature of art, and its capacity to facilitate self expression and therapeutic insights. Our discussion will question several issues. Including: what constitutes art in the therapeutic process and the relationship between our own artistic practice and our approach to working with clients. Other related issues will be discussed if time allows.

Chronic Illness
Oct. 15, 4 – 4:50pm

Moderated by TBA

Art therapists working with clients with chronic medical conditions are invited to this supervision group to share experiences (challenges and celebrations), identify best practices and special considerations, and weigh art media decisions.

Eating Disorders
Oct. 16, 4 – 4:50pm

Moderated by TBA

This group session is an opportunity for clinicians to discuss case examples from the field when working with individuals in treatment for an eating disorder. Discussion will acknowledge the complexity in building a therapeutic relationship with the client and invite participants to consider how art materials and studio spaces can build trust and facilitate growth within a 1:1 or group art therapy process.

Ethics
Oct. 17, 11 – 11:50am

Moderator TBA

This session will provide a space to discuss ethical decision making through the lens of art therapy and our professional ethical documents and address ethical challenges faced in participant’s practice.

Grief
Oct. 15, 11 – 11:50am

Moderator TBA

The Master Supervision Session is available for those clinicians who focus on grief and loss in their therapy work. This time will offer clinicians an opportunity to share cases in order to connect with other clinicians who focus on grief and loss, to gain insight into their work around supporting grieving clients, and share and receive resources and art tasks that enhance their clinical skills as they approach this specialized work.

LGBTQIA+
Oct. 15, 12 noon – 12:50pm

Moderator TBA

We will spend time considering dynamics in LGBTQIA+ communities, the impact of the political climate and anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation on mental health, as well as nervous system regulation and dysphoria. Please bring your experiences, a journal, and an art supply.

Immigrant and Refugee Populations
Oct. 16, 11 – 11:50am

Moderated by TBA

The session welcomes everyone interested in a discussion about art therapy with immigrant and refugee populations. Art therapists are encouraged to bring case material related to their work, including but not limited to cultural considerations, communication and other challenges as well as what has worked well.

Juvenile Detention
Oct. 16, 12 noon – 12:50pm

Moderated by TBA

This session will explore ethical considerations for working with children and adolescents in detention settings. We will identify ethical considerations for art therapy detention settings, discuss techniques for reinforcing positive boundaries with adolescents, and identify processes and materials that support children and adolescents mental health while aligning with detention setting regulations. Attendees will have time to ask questions and engage in an open discussion.

Mindful Self-Compassion
Oct. 15, 3 – 3:50pm

Moderator TBA 

Scientific studies have demonstrated that self-compassion offers a range of psychological benefits. Individuals who practice self-compassion tend to experience lower levels of anxiety, self-criticism, depression, and stress, and higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness, and emotional resilience. Many scientific studies have demonstrated that self-compassion offers a range of psychological benefits. This master supervision session will focus on specific self-compassion resources accessible for personal and professional practices.

Multicultural
Oct. 17, 11 – 11:50am

Moderator TBA

This interactive supervision session is designed to create a supportive, culturally responsive space for art therapists from BIPOC communities to engage in case consultation, share clinical experiences, and deepen professional competency. Grounded in multicultural frameworks and anti-oppressive practice, the session encourages open dialogue around the unique challenges and strengths that BIPOC clinicians bring to therapeutic work. Participants will collaboratively explore case dynamics, cultural considerations, and identity-informed supervision practices that affirm their lived experiences and clinical insight. All experience levels are welcome.

Older Adults
Oct. 16, 4 – 4:50pm

Moderated by TBA

Working with the aging population takes place in many different contexts. Art therapists need to be prepared to meet older adults with media and art practices suited to support them as they age. In this master’s supervision group, we will support each other in our varied and important work with older clients.

Private Practice
Oct. 16, 3 – 3:50pm

Moderated by TBA

The intention of this session is to offer participants an opportunity to reflect on current and future art therapy private practice realities and possibilities in an effort to clarify and validate different approaches and outcomes

Process Art in Supervision
Oct. 16, 11 – 11:50am

Moderated by TBA

This session will focus on the incorporation and adaptation of el duende and process art within clinical supervision and field courses. Both el duende and process art can be used in support of the supervisor and supervisee relationship by accessing vulnerability and promote authentic exchanges. Whether through traditional face-to-face or telehealth environments, long-term art-based approaches when incorporated into the supervisory process can aid in self-awareness and clinical development. As part of the master supervision discussion, we will discuss pertinent issues brought-up by attendees which may include adaptations, accommodations, and the importance of visual documentation of the process.

Research
Oct. 16, 2 – 2:50pm

Moderated by TBA

For practitioners and educators, this supervision session will provide an opportunity to share and explore some of the vexing challenges of both conducting and supervising research projects. Depending on issues identified by attendees, these might include assessing risk, equity, ethical quandaries, dealing with project gatekeepers, or the emotional labor of the research advisement relationship, among others. Please bring your thoughts and questions for meaningful discussion.

School Settings
Oct. 15, 2 – 2:50pm

Moderator TBA

This supervision group is for art therapists and other professionals with an interest in working within the school setting. Participants will learn best practices for program implementation. Participants will be able to explore art therapy interventions for classroom support and individual/ group. Networking forged in this session will aim to improve the isolation often experienced as the sole art therapist in the school setting.

Self-Injurious Behavior
Oct. 17, 3 – 3:50pm

Moderator TBA

What underlying client issues need to be addressed due to self-harm? We will explore how these issues show up in client artwork and therapeutic interventions that may help to change a client’s response to these stressors. Please feel free to bring a case study or artwork that you would like to discuss or review.

Substance Abuse
Oct. 16, 3 – 3:50pm

Moderated by TBA

Professional art therapists who are working in the field of addictions treatment are invited to bring in both specific and general issues they are encountering in their clinical work. This might include case vignettes for consultation or more systemic difficulties of using art therapy in an addiction treatment environment.

Supervising New Professionals
Oct. 15, 4 – 4:50pm

Moderated by TBA

When supervising new professionals gaining their post-graduate experience hours it’s important to consider multiple ways of approaching the work. In this session, we’ll explore how a developmental framework and engaging in artmaking to explore the supervisory relationship, client content, countertransference, personal growth, and more, can create a supportive and reflective space for professional growth. Please bring specific questions and de-identified case material for discussion.

Supervising Students
Oct. 17, 2 – 2:50pm

Moderated by TBA

Discussing the processes of arts-based clinical supervision and addressing counter transference.

Trauma and Dissociation
Oct. 17, 2 – 2:50pm

Moderated by TBA

This group is for the clinician interested in learning more about trauma informed care with clients who have a traumatic experience or past, resulting in CPTSD, PTSD and any of the many forms of dissociation. Bring your generalized questions to the group and we will use our collective knowledge to provide support.

Veterans
Oct. 15, 3 – 3:50pm

Moderated by Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff

This supervision group will focus on working with both active military and veterans. It will be a place to come together to gain insight, understanding, and support related to this unique population