Join us for AATA2024

Oct. 6 – 9, 2024

Pittsburgh, PA

Hand Papermaking for Professional Practice: Pulp, Press, & Play — SESSION IS FULL

Explore the theory and practice of hand paper (50 min) making through studio experience. Participants will learn non-traditional media adaptations and material methods that promote accessibility, collaboration, community-based practice, and social engagement. Participants gain knowledge about practical ways to bring paper (50 min) making to their professional practice.

Presenters: Denise Wolf and Gretchen Miller

The Art of Scanography: Reflecting on Nature with Digital Media

Participants will explore the materiality of both natural and human-made objects through scanography. The Workshop (1 hours 30 minutes) will include a walk around the hotel conference area to collect environmental items. Participants will also learn about the artistic and therapeutic potential of scanography and practice specific flatbed scanning techniques and approaches.

Presenters: Natalie Carlton and Nancy Choe

Modified Blind Contour Self-Portraiture: The Ault/Layton Approach

Participants will learn the history, method, and therapeutic factors of this technique as developed by Robert Ault after studying its use by Elizabeth ‘Grandma’ Layton. Participants will see slides of Ault and Layton exemplars, receive suggestions for incorporating the technique into therapeutic practice, and create a modified blind contour self-portrait.

Presenter: Libby Schmanke

Establishing a Sex-Positive Therapeutic Approach to Encourage Healthy Sexuality and Sexual Wellness

This course addresses the theory and practice of incorporating sexual wellness in therapy through didactic and experiential methods. The course normalizes sexuality discussions across participants’ lifespan, gender, and sexual orientation in the context of culture, intersectionality, and mental health. Additionally, participants examine historical sexual messaging, professional comfort, and art-based interventions.

Presenters: Daniel Blausey, Michaela Kirby, and Tamara Galinsky

Figures of Speech: The Art of Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is explored through the creation of “Figures of Speech.” Participants will use nesting dolls to explore how to resolve client ambivalence between conflicting ‘parts-of-self’ while moving through the Stages of Change. Adaptations for clients struggling with self-care, substance use, and other concerns will also be addressed.

Presenters: Martina Efodzi

From Cradle to Crown: Navigating Racial Trauma

Explore the transformative power of art therapy in addressing race-based traumatic stress. This course guides therapists through a journey from historical narratives to community interventions, emphasizing racial healing and narrative change. Discover innovative strategies and creative interventions to foster healing, advocacy, and social justice.

Presenters: April Fitzpatrick

[TRAUMA] Bridging the Cartesian Chasm: Healing through the Body Narrative

This course will present a intervention designed by the trainers which will endeavor to integrate a body focus, personal narrative, and story. It is designed for experienced clinicians and will include clinical examples, experiential exercises and discussion to introduce participants to the theory of a bodied approach to change.

Presenters: Paula Howie and Hugh Marr

[TRAUMA] The Interweave of Art Therapy, EMDR and IFS — SESSION IS FULL

Explore the integration of expressive arts with both IFS and EMDR as we experience multiple art directives following the tri-phase model of trauma treatment. Prior knowledge of EMDR, IFS are not required. For those participants trained in EMDR and/or IFS, this Workshop (1 hours 30 minutes) will increase clinical proficiency.

Presenters: Peggy Kolodny and Elizabeth Davis

[TRAUMA] Processing Jungian Shadow Imagery With Active Military Patients

Hypnagogia/Hynopompia, the waking-dream, seems to be a rare spontaneous event for those who have experienced trauma. This Workshop (1 hours 30 minutes) will provide a Jungian context for the appearance of the Shadow image before or after sleep. We will then explore processing examples of artworks made by active duty service members.

Presenters: Peter Buotte and Roberta J.H. Shoemaker-Beal 

[PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE] Creating Mandalas through the Great Round: Deepening into Natural Cycles of Life

Experience an engaging, expressive arts journey through history, theory, and strengths-based approaches to creating and understanding mandalas in and out of session. By creating a series of mandalas guided by the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala, participants will also (re)connect with the cyclical rhythms of nature.

Presenters: Paige Scheinberg and Susanne Fincher

[PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE] The Art of Private Practice: Building Sustainable Bridges Uniting Vision and Community

It is possible to build a sustainable private practice that fits your vision and engages the community! We will combine some foundational business skills with creativity, clarity around your vision, and cultivating a curiosity mindset so you can take the steps toward starting or growing your practice with confidence.

Presenters: Emery Mikel 

[PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE] Bringing Needle Felting to the Forefront: Exploring Connection and Wellness — SESSION IS FULL

This Workshop (1 hours 30 minutes) will introduce you to the basics of needle felting, including the different types of needles, wool, and techniques. Rhythmic motions of the felting process can be meditative and promote stress reduction. The craft is easy to pick-up and a great way to expand your creative practice.

Presenters: Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña and Kaitlin Gibson

[PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE] I Need Help: Ethical Guidelines for Working with Violent Clients

Presenters will review ethical guidelines and research related to working with potentially violent clients and offer best practices based on the literature and firsthand experiences. Participants will review case examples, engage in art making to encourage self-care, and receive resources to create a culture of safety.

Presenters: Janet Kempf, Stacey Nelson, and Christine Czuhajewski

Beyond the Dementia Diagnosis: Art Therapy for Quality of Life

How do you work with someone who may not remember your last session? Join us to learn about our firsthand experiences providing art therapy to people living with dementia. Expect to gain a better understanding of how art can transcend cognitive barriers and improve quality of life.

Presenters: Sivan Perdue and Erica Curcio 

Stop, Look, Listen: Bridging Museum-based Practices and Art Therapy

In this experiential half-day course, participants will engage with the VTS-based art therapy process that includes object selection, discussion facilitation, and artmaking in response to the VTS experience. Participants will have opportunities to practice each topic and leave with ideas about implementing VTS to enhance their professional work.

Presenters: Susan Anand, Elisabeth Callihan, and Grayston Barron 

Integration of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) & Art Therapy — SESSION IS FULL

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is an evidence-based therapy treating disorders characterized by excessive self-control. RO DBT targets emotional loneliness. Participants will gain a working familiarity with fundamental RO DBT skills. Art making will be used to gain experiential insight into the principles of RO DBT.

Presenter: Maggie Ritnour