AATA Blog
Coping Through Creativity: A Mom’s Story through Childhood Cancer
When my daughter Miley was 11 months old, she was diagnosed with cancer. I immediately immersed myself into her care… And once her treatment was completed, we rang a bell — and it was over. This is the most mind-blowing thing that no one prepares you for. My daughter was cancer free but I was left with battle scars that no one could see. That’s when I turned to art therapy.
7 Facts to Know on Veterans Day
November 11, 2022
For art therapists, Veterans Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health of veterans and service members.
Behind the Therapeutics of Art: Two Undergraduate Students Explore Art Therapy
October 28, 2022 | Tomer Eldor and Mathilde Scarlata, former Penn State undergraduate students
Although an hour of quiet might not seem like much of an impact, nowadays, with the continuous use of technology and the constant need for gratification in the form of texts, likes, and notifications, an hour of quietness is rare. For me, art has managed to provide that much needed silence, where the only thing that matters is me, my music, and the pencil in my hand—a moment of pure freedom and creativity. I will continually utilize what I learned from this course and use art for self expression and stress relief.
Big News for Art Therapists in New Mexico!
October 28, 2022 | Deborah Good, PhD, HLM, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPAT, LPCC
New Mexico LPATs are now eligible to apply for Medicaid reimbursement as private practitioners. This is a huge victory because, as many of you know, Medicaid approval status sets the standard for all other insurance companies. Art therapists in New Mexico have worked for 28 years to make this happen — and hope all of you will take advantage of this incredible recognition for the art therapy license.
My Journey Exploring Medical Art Therapy for Burn Care: From Practice to Applied Research
By Bani Malhotra, MA, ATR-BC
For me, a fortuitous opportunity to intern at the burn care center as a graduate student of psychology in India, first led me to first experience the interdisciplinary aspects of burn care which I am now exploring in a systematic way through my doctoral art therapy studies at Drexel University. Burns can cause devastating injuries and affect an individual’s and their family’s overall psychosocial adjustment following a burn trauma. Through my preliminary research, I have found that despite the emerging interest in the trauma of a burn injury, the insight into psychosocial care intervention for personal, social, and cultural impact of burns is scarce.
Artistic Fuel’s Ties That Bind Benefit brought 100 people in support of art therapy services in Uvalde
On August 27, the Artistic Fuel Ties That Bind Benefit event in Leesburg, Virginia, brought over a 100 people together to join the effort to bring art therapy services to Uvalde.
First Open-Air Clay Art Studio for Community Members Affected by the Marshal, Co., Fire
In response to the fire that quickly spread to several townships destroying 1,084 structures, the Naropa University graduate art therapy program with its 21-year-old Naropa Community Art Studio (NCAS) and community partners launched its first Open Air Clay Art Studio. Fifty people from across the developmental spectrum, divided into two groups, participated in the event.
Featured Member: Matthew Chernaskey, MA, ATR
Especially among my children and teen clients, I am always inspired by their willingness to use art materials to discover novel and meaningful ways to create their own emotional language. This includes experimenting with mediums that help them resonate with their feelings more clearly, and be able to connect verbal and non-verbal language together.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is Now Live
We all know the three-digit number to call if you or someone else needs help due to an injury or an immediate danger. But until now, it wasn’t clear who we should call if an emergency isn’t physical. On July 16, the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched, making it easier to access mental health crisis services.
Featured Member: Martina E. Efodzi, ATR-BC, LCPAT, LCPC, LPC
If I could offer advice to someone pursuing a career in art therapy, it would be to invest in your own mental health and wellness. Hurt people hurt others, and healed people are most equipped to accompany others on their own healing journeys.