AATA News
Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times
A special message from AATA President Nadia Paredes, MA, LMFT, ATR.
2025 Ethics CE Series
Join presenters Anna O’Brien, LPC, ATR-BC, Deborah Fung, LCAT, ATR-BC, LMSW, Lacy Mucklow, MA, ATR-BC; LPAT-S, LCPAT, ATCS, CCTP, CIMHP, Gretchen M. Miller, MA, LPAT, ATR-BC, Alicia Seymour, MA, ATR-P, NCC, and Heather Grey, LCSW, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS for a three-part series focusing on the ethical use of self disclosure and clinical referrals. Ethical decision-making is at the core of every art therapist’s practice, yet navigating the complexities of referrals, self-disclosure, and social media engagement can present ongoing challenges. Through expert-led discussions, interactive role-plays, and hands-on art experientials, this series will provide clinicians with practical tools and frameworks to make ethical, informed choices while maintaining therapeutic integrity.
This three-part series will take place from 7:00–9:00pm ET on three Tuesdays in February and April, with each session focusing on a key ethical challenge in clinical practice.
Honoring Black History Month 2025
As we honor Black History Month, we celebrate the Black visionary architects of art therapy. This February, AATA is offering an inspiring virtual Continuing Education session, Black History Continues – The Future of the Field, at no cost to all AATA Members.
New Year, New Opportunities for the Art Therapy Profession
As we begin this New Year, I invite you to watch the virtual plenary session, Arts & Health Continuum. As a member benefit, AATA is offering this session at no cost to AATA Members. For me personally, it was an eye-opening conversation for the potential of art therapists to be recognized as innovators and leaders in our communities.
Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2024
While 2024 introduced many new blogs, many of our most-read articles this year were published in previous years, demonstrating that their relevance and resonance have only grown. From exploring art therapy’s cultural impact to examining its role in diverse communities, these posts capture the growing public interest in the field. Here’s a look at the 10 most-read articles. A huge thank you to all our members who volunteered to share their expertise in our blog or for our virtual Monthly Learning Series (available on the Online Learning Academy).
Join us for Our First CE Session of 2025! Preventive Art Therapy: The Ethical Intersection of Art Therapy And Public Health
Join us as we kick off 2025 with Preventive Art Therapy: The Ethical Intersection of Art Therapy and Public Health, our first virtual continuing education session of the year. In this session, Erica, Ping and Nadia will use their combined expertise to explore the ethical intersection of art therapy and public health, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health proactively to create lasting, sustainable change.
AATA Urges New York Governor Hochul to Allow Licensed Creative Arts Therapists to Directly Bill Medicaid
Dec. 20, 2024 – AATA sent a letter to New York Governor Hochul urging her to sign A9018/S8715 into law. The bill, which was passed by the state House and Senate in June, would authorize Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCAT) to bill Medicaid directly for their services.
New Americans for the Arts Survey Shows How Important the Arts are to People’s Lives and Communities
As discussions about the connection between arts and mental health continue to become more prevalent, the release of Americans for the Arts’ first public opinion survey since 2018, Americans Speak Out About the Arts (conducted in July of 2023), further underscores the importance of arts in both in communities and in individual emotional and physical wellbeing.
ACATE Announces Adoption of Revised CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy
At its November meeting, the Board of Directors of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved the revisions to the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy.
Prior to the Open Hearing held on September 24, ACATE reviewed the 57 comments that were received during the preceding public comment period. A significant number of those comments suggested changes in specific wording.
AATA 2025 Slate of Candidates
The American Art Therapy Association Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the 2024 election slate for leadership positions with the Association. Voting begins Dec. 18!