June 27, 2025 | By Christine Troll, Interdisciplinary Artist, Art Therapy Graduate Student at Seton Hill University, and AATA Intern
Last year, I had the privilege of attending AATA’s annual conference for the first time. (You may remember me from the registration desk!)
With AATA’s Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, only a few months away, I wanted to share my conference experience with you!
I am looking forward to AATA2025 because of the exceptional education offered for our rapidly expanding profession and the abundant space for connection to hundreds of other students, colleagues, leaders in the field, and possible mentors!
From the moment I met the first conference attendee at the registration booth last year, I felt the joy of connection! As people studying, practicing, or interested in art therapy, we understand the value and importance of our field. But sometimes, in a world where art therapy is still a rapidly growing profession, it can be all too easy to feel isolated, unseen, or unimportant. But during my conference experience, I felt as though I was finally in a place that I belong! I can’t ever remember feeling so connected to my profession, and that feeling has long outlasted the end of last year’s conference!
You may be wondering if it’s worth attending AATA2025 in Portland. Maybe you’re wondering if you belong there, especially as a student or new professional. So, I’m hoping I can help by sharing what I learned, who I met, and, of course, why it was one of the best experiences of my art therapy journey (thus far!).
Learning and Connection
Starting with the educational opportunities, I’ve never felt more immersed in the education of art therapy! There are more than 150 learning sessions included with your registration. While you may not be looking for Continuing Education credit, these sessions will help you explore new subjects or emerging issues in our field. And they are all taught by amazing leaders in art therapy from around the world!
At AATA conferences, there is education LITERALLY around every corner! Even from something as small as a brief conversation in the hallways, I was continually learning about the different settings, populations, theories, and approaches that the different attendees worked with, what other art therapy students were learning about, what research is coming to inform future practice, and little tips or words of advice and wisdom from seasoned art therapists!
Moving onto space for connection, it is difficult to put into words the joy and hope that I felt just being with the other conference attendees! The people attending the conference are a mix of inspiring luminaries in the field (the ones we read about in our coursework), the rising stars (who are just as inspiring), students like me, and new professionals who are eager to connect and discuss their ideas for the future of our profession.
Attending for the First Time?
If this will be your first time attending a conference like it was for me – or if you feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of a conference with over 1,000 people – let me share with you how I felt being there! Yes, there are a lot of people attending, but even for the long-time professionals, it’s an opportunity to re-invigorate themselves. The ‘big names’ of the profession that I met, the ones who seem like distant names in textbooks, do everything they can to make themselves feel real and accessible to newcomers like me! I felt a sense that everything I have been working toward in this profession is a shared journey with thousands of others.
With Judy Rubin!
With Gretchen Miller!
I think students and new professionals also help the more seasoned attendees reconnect with the passion that brought them to our profession in the first place. That’s why I can assure you that you’ll find connection and belonging at AATA2025, just like I did! For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who understood my profession. I was surrounded by kind, approachable people who were willing to talk with me, encourage me, and share their knowledge with me. After attending the conference, I feel that in this profession and in my journey to helping others, I am truly not alone!
If you don’t know where to start, make sure to attend the Newcomer’s Session on the evening of Oct. 8, or just come by the Open Art Studio. It’s where everyone goes to process what they’ve learned, make art with friends, or make friends with art!
The Open Art Studio has literally hundreds of pounds of art supplies where you can get messy! If you’re interested, there are also volunteer opportunities in the Open Art Studio where you can be a part of making memorable and treasured moments possible for other attendees.
I left last year’s conference feeling a sense of belonging, importance, and joy in my profession. I truly hope to see you at AATA2025 in Portland so that you can share in this experience. (Please come and say hello! You’ll probably find me at the registration desk!)
I hope your time at the conference becomes one of the Best Days of Your Art Therapy Journey!