Join us for AATA2024

Oct. 6 – 9, 2024

Pittsburgh, PA

International

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.

Points of Contact: Bani Malhotra, Susan Anand, Marie Deschamps

Veterans

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.

Point of Contact: Rachel Mims

AATA Journal and Publishing

AATA Journal and Publishing: 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.

Point of Contact: Emily Nolan and Jordan Potash

Men

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.

Points of Contact: Rob Belgrod and Michael Galarraga

LGBTQIA+

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!

Point of Contact: Zak Van Den Berg and Kachina Mooney

Forensic

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.

Point of Contact: Casey Barlow

Bereavement

In this group we will meet and network with other professionals working with clients who are in bereavement. This is also an opportunity to exchange ideas, directives, and resources

Point of Contact: Bethany Altschwager

Asian Culture

Who are Asians? What are some existing strengths that we can continue to build upon, and what are the areas where we need improvement in our field and within AATA regarding mental health and art therapy for Asians? What actions can we, both as individual and collectively, take to promote mental health and wellbeing among Asians and the public? Do we need international connections, and if so, why? If not, why not? Join this Shared Interest Group to begin/advance the discussion.

Points of Contact: Maria Kim

Neuroscience

We invite all art therapists who are interested in the impact of the neurosciences on the theory and practice of art therapy. This open discussion is intended for exchanging knowledge and ideas, building connections, and supporting possibilities for collaborative writing and research.

Point of Contact: Christianne Strang  

Undergraduate Education

Join us to connect with undergraduate art therapy educators, share resources, and learn more about the AATA Undergraduate Education Subcommittee. Input and updates on proposed undergraduate guidelines will be discussed.

Points of Contact: Heather Denning, Jennifer Schwartz, and Cathy Goucher

Private Practice

Points of Contact: Susan Kappel

Students

Are you a college student in the field of art therapy, whether you’re currently in school or already working? Join this “Shared Interest Group” 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!

Point of Contact: Dejah Chapple

Advocacy/Licensure

This SIG is an opportunity to discuss the path towards an independent art therapy license. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and concerns regarding how and why to advocate for state licensure. Examples will be shared of how licensure has been achieved in various states and how it has supported art therapists and consumers alike.

Point of Contact: Elizabeth Hlavek  

School-based Art Therapy

This SIG is and opportunity for those currently working in schools and those interested in School-based Art Therapy to build a community of support and to build capacity in numbers to advocate for the need and expansion of art therapy in schools. We will share triumphs and challenges as we establish a forum of support to extend beyond the conference.

Points of Contact: Craig Siegel and Marygrace Berberian

BIPOC

We invite attendees who self-identify as BIPOC only to attend this SIG session, in the interest of creating a safe space for conversation.

Points of Contact: Latoya Kinard

Community-based Art Therapy

Recently, art therapists answered the call to action in response to a school tragedy and helped facilitate healing within that community through community-based art therapy. Together, the schools and community worked to create a mosaic that told a story of hope and healing, which brought everyone who participated closer to each other. This SIG will outline what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to art therapy and community engagement and allow attendees to share their experiences and connect with others to help build a “community” of support as we engage our own spaces around the globe.

Points of Contact: Wanda Montemayor

Disaster Response

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.

Points of Contact: Joseph Scarce

Older Adults

We invite attendees who are working or are interested in working with older adults to come together and share their knowledge and experiences. We will explore any topics attendees may choose including navigating ethics, approaching end of life, and engaging multiple generations in sessions.

Point of Contact: Janet Kempf

Museums

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.

Point of Contact: Kathryn Snyder

Assessment

Are you passionate about art therapy assessment and looking to connect with others who share your interests? If so, please join us during this Special Interest Group! This participant-led session explores innovative assessment tools and techniques through collaborative discussions and shared experiences. Attendees are encouraged to contribute their insights and engage with group members to enhance the collective understanding of art therapy assessments and their use in our practices.

Point of Contact: Traci Bitondo

Medical

Join to connect with art therapists working in medical settings to discuss current roles, challenges and goals for advocacy. We will explore ways to support and build our medical art community.

Point of Contact: Brittany Dray

Research

Join our focused discussion at the upcoming conference, where we 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.

Point of Contact: Juliet King

Bilingual/Multilingual Art Therapists

The Bilingual/Multilingual Art Therapists SIG’s purpose is to empower bilingual and multilingual art therapists by highlighting the unique strengths and advantages their linguistic and cultural abilities bring to the profession. The group aims to foster a supportive network that enhances cross-cultural understanding, broadens the range of therapeutic approaches, and improves clinical outcomes.

Points of Contact: Nadia Paredes and Ric Avila

Substance Abuse

Point of Contact: Patricia Quinn

Neurodiversity

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.

Point of Contact: Alicia Ballestas

Art Therapists as Educators

We invite attendees who are working as art educators to come together and share their knowledge and experiences.

Point of Contact: Brian Tepper

Art 

We invite 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.

Point of Contact: Ric Avila

Varying Abilities

This group is specifically for individuals who either live with disabilities and/or work with clients who do. Attendees can expect to share knowledge, experiences and network.

Points of Contact: Beth Ann Short and Zian Chavez