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 AATA2026
While AATA Members and non-members are welcome to attend a SIG meeting during AATA2025, please keep in mind that some SIGs are welcoming to everyone—and others are open only to those who personally identify with the collective experience.
To learn more about AATA2026, click here. You do not need an additional ticket to attend these meetings.
AATA Journal, Oct 15, 11 – 11:50am
Led by Emily Nolan and Sheila de la Peña
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.
Art, Oct 16, 4 – 4:50pm
Led by Julie Ludwig, Gaelynn Wolf Bordonaro, Laura Cherry, Lisa Hassler Thomas
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.
Art-Based Supervision, Oct 17, 2 – 2:50pm
Led by Elizabeth Fotopoulos
A discussion on the benefits of the arts-based way in supervision and how to utilize an arts-based approach to support art therapists and clinicians from other disciplines of counseling and psychology. This discussion will be supported by a review of historical and current research related to the use of art and its ability to support the development of humans and a general exploration of the current trends in supervision approaches to demonstrate how an arts-based modality transcends all other traditional supervision approaches. As a group we will discuss how to implement an arts-based approach to supervision with non-arts- based supervisees.
Asian Culture, Oct 15, 3 – 3:50pm
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.
Children and Adolescents, Oct 17, 3 – 3:50pm
Led by Tracy Weitkamp
This group serves as an opportunity for art therapists to engage in meaningful discussion around the joys, challenges, and intricacies associated with serving children and adolescents. Participants will find a supportive environment to share questions, new ideas, and ever-evolving ways to reach this unique and important population.
Disaster Response, Oct 16, 3 – 3:50pm
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 15, 2 – 2:50pm
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 15, 12 – 12:50pm
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.
International, Oct 11, 11 – 11:50am
Led by Bani Malhotra, Susan Anand, and Aishwerya Iyer
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 16, 12 – 12:50pm
Led by Zachary Van Den Berg
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!
Men in Art Therapy, Oct. 15, 3 – 3:50pm
Led by Michael Galarraga and Rob Belgrod
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 17, 3 – 3:50pm
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.
Neurodivergence, Oct 16, 2 – 2:50pm
Led by Jessica Stallings
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 17, 11 – 11:50am
Led by Christianne Strang
We invite all art therapists who are interested in the impact of the neurosciences on art therapy theory and practice to engage in open discussion, build connection, and spark ideas for collaboration.
Psychadelics and Art Therapy, Oct 17, 12 – 12:50pm
Led by Rebecca Wilkinson, Emily Segal
Combining psychedelics with art therapy holds tremendous potential while also presenting unique clinical, legal, and ethical challenges. Join us to explore these complexities, access resources, and learn from other colleagues interested in this growing area of practice. Participants at all levels of experience are invited to attend.
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 16, 4 – 4:50pm
Led by Katherine Jackson
Service-learning is a form of experiential learning which parallels the use of creative arts therapies. This type of learning is founded on the idea of a reciprocal relationship between those served and those providing service. Join us for an opportunity to learn about service learning and/or share your experience with service learning.
Students, October 17, 11 – 11:50am
Led by Meg Kennedy and Savvie Eslinger
Are you a college student in the field of art therapy, whether you’re currently in school or already working? Join us at the conference to connect, ask questions, and build community with fellow students who share your passion! This group provides a unique opportunity to network and engage in meaningful conversations with peers and facilitators who are here to help guide discussions, answer your questions, and foster connections. This isn’t an art therapy session; it’s a chance to broaden your network, share experiences, and learn from each other. Come ready to engage, connect, and expand your professional circle!
Substance Abuse, Oct 16, 11 – 11:50am
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.
Veterans and Military, Oct 15, 4 – 4:50pm
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