AATA News
New Resource: Read about the Research of Art Therapy Graduates across the Country
March 29, 2018
The Research Committee’s brand new resource, the National Art Therapy Thesis and Dissertation Abstract Compilation (NATTDAC), and the 2018 updated Assessments Bibliography are now available online! Look out for an upcoming announcement in ATT when the 2018 updated Outcomes Bibliography is released. Research Committee bibliographies and more can be found on the Research page.
AATA President Christianne Strang Spotlighted in UAB Article
March 29, 2018
“We all have those experiences where we can’t find the words — words don’t carry what we’re feeling. Art is one way to work through those thoughts and feelings.” — AATA President Christianne Strang, PhD, ATR-BC.
Read about Dr. Strang’s career as an art therapist — working in inpatient psychiatric facilities, with HIV/AIDS patients, and clients who struggle with eating disorders or traumatic experiences — and about her passions for neuroscience, research, and teaching in University of Alabama at Birmingham article, “Art therapy helps liberate emotions when words fail.”
Ohio State Rep. Anielski Testified in Support of House Bill 557, to License Art Therapists
March 29, 2018
On March 21, State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) gave sponsor testimony before the House Health Committee on behalf of House Bill 557. The bill would grant a license to Art Therapists to practice under the guidance of the State of Ohio Medical Board. “Art therapy has proven to be an incredibly useful tool in dealing with a myriad of issues where many individuals suffer,” said Rep. Anielski. Committed to improving mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Ohio, Rep. Anielski has been a passionate supporter of the Ohio licensure effort and spoke at the Buckeye Art Therapy Association’s (BATA) Hill Day back in November.
Looking for a Way to Earn Continuing Education and Expand Your Knowledge?
March 22, 2018
The American Art Therapy Association’s Institute for Continuing Education (ICE/AT) is available 24/7 and offers a robust catalog of courses from prominent and well-respected art therapists, researchers, authors, and educators. AATA’s ICE/AT includes courses in Assessment, Multiculturalism, Ethics, Trauma, Supervision, Professional Practice, and so much more!
Late Show with Stephen Colbert Auctioning Art to Support the AATA
March 15, 2018
Yesterday, March 14, The LateShow with Stephen Colbert featured a segment on art therapy with AATA member, Rachel Brandoff, PhD, ATR-BC, LCAT. He spoke with Dr. Brandoff about the profession and even made some art himself. The show is generously auctioning off three pieces of Colbert’s art and donating the proceeds to the AATA! Please check out the auction page and watch the segment if you missed it!
Virginia Sunrise Review Application Featured in Board of Health Professions Meeting
By Gretchen Graves | January 18, 2018 | Advocacy | Events
As the AATA works with members in 24 states engaged in advocacy efforts during the 2018 legislative sessions, I would like to highlight some good news from Virginia. The Virginia Board of Health Professions recently presented its proposed scope of study and schedule for a comprehensive review of the art therapy profession during a public meeting on December 7, 2017.
BATA Hill Day: Art Therapy in Ohio Advocacy Day Overview
By Molly Kometiani | January 4, 2018 | Advocacy | Events
The Buckeye Art Therapy Association (BATA) hosted Art Therapy in Ohio Advocacy Day on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. It was a powerful, motivating, and exciting day for Buckeye art therapists and the community!
The AATA Supports the Affirmation and Healthy Development Across the Lifespan of Individuals within LGBTQIA Communities
November 2, 2017
As asserted in our Association Values Statement (2017), the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) embraces and affirms individuals within the LGBTQIA spectrums of sexual orientation and gender nonconforming individuals. The AATA supports therapeutic interventions that foster healthy development across the lifespan of LGBTQIA individuals, and equally admonishes treatment purported to cure or curb natural variations of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
AATA Provides Public Comment to the CDC urging the documentation of LGBTQ Tragedies in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
October 5, 2017
On September 29, 2017, the AATA responded to a request for public comments (Docket No. CDC-2017-0607) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). In the letter, the AATA emphasizes the critical need for the CDC to implement policies and procedures to require the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data within the NVDRS for all decedents. AATA further points out the disproportionate statistics that affect the LGBTQ community, such as that LGBTQ youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth and are almost five times as likely to have actually attempted suicide. The letter concludes: “One of the primary goals of the NVDRS is to better understand and ultimately prevent the occurrence of violent deaths, and the best mechanism to achieve this is to require that SOGI data be collected. Therefore, the AATA supports the systematic collection of accurate statistical data which would help art therapists to better serve LGBTQ youth and adults and aid in suicide prevention.”
Delaware Art Therapy Licensure Bill to be Signed into Law
By Clara Keane | September 27, 2017 | Advocacy
AATA representatives and Delaware art therapists will proudly witness the signing of the art therapy licensure bill S.B. 43 into law tomorrow, September 8, 2017. Jennifer August, MCAT, ATR-BC shares details about the advocacy journey she and other art therapists in Delaware underwent with strong support from the AATA to achieve this success for the profession.