AATA Blog
Feeling Stressed about the Capitol Attacks? Here are some Tools to Help Cope from a Trauma Art Therapist
January 13, 2020 | Raquel Farrell-Kirk
I kept the television off and focused on my day at home with my ten year old son. At first, I easily ignored the texts updates I was receiving from friends about the rally in Washington DC, but as the situation escalated into an attack on the Capitol building, I could ignore the news no more. After a few frustrating minutes pressing buttons, I enlisted my son’s help to turn on the television and watched the violence unfold on my television screen.
Featured Member: Deborah Good, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPAT, LPCC, 2020 Honorary Life Member
December 17, 2020
During AATA’s first virtual Awards Ceremony, Deborah A. Good, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPAT, LPCC was presented with the 2020 Honorary Lifetime Member (HLM) Award, the highest distinction of the AATA. We asked Dr. Good to answer some questions about her career, insights on the profession today, and vision for the future.
5 Tips from an Art Therapist to Get You through Holiday Gloom
December 16, 2020 | Nadia Paredes
I was born and raised in Mexico, in a very loving (I would even dare say enmeshed) typical Catholic Latino family. My grandfather had died close to Christmas, so my father always tried his best to erase that feeling of loss and live the ideals of what he called “the American Christmas.”
My Perspectives as a BIPOC Art Therapist
December 3, 2020 | Miki Goerdt
As a first-time facilitator of a networking event, I experienced some difficulties, which I took personally at first, telling myself that I was not experienced enough to lead it. Several days later, after processing my experience with colleagues, I realized that my difficulties were systemic rather than something attached to myself or any participants of the event. They were related to the racial dynamics of the American society and within our profession.
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
November 19, 2020
National Native American Heritage Month is a reminder each year to celebrate Native American people, arts, culture, and heritage. There are 3 million indigenous people in the United States, belonging to 574 federally recognized Indian Nations (variously called tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, communities and native villages) in the United States. (See map). This year, we want to join our mental health allies in a call to address the health disparities that Native American/Indigenous people are experiencing, particularly during the Coronavirus pandemic.
7 Facts to Know on Veterans Day
November 11, 2020
For art therapists, Veterans Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health of veterans and service members. Among veterans who have served since the September 11, 2001, attacks, approximately one in five experiences mental health issues, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, according to the RAND Corporation.
#AATA2020 Highlights from Days 1 and 2 — See you on Day 3!
November 5, 2020 |Susan Boxer Kappel
A huge thank you to all who are attending, participating in the chat features during sessions, and showing up (on camera) for the networking sessions! Check out some of our favorite #AATA2020 moments on social media so far, and there is still time to register for Day 3!
Vote with Mental Health in Mind — 2020 AATA Guide
October 19, 2020
As mental health professionals, art therapists are closely connected with the needs of the communities they serve, especially now during the Coronavirus pandemic. Election Day is an opportunity to be a champion for your clients—and an advocate for mental health and the values that are core to our profession.
In Tribute to Dr. Myra Levick, AATA Co-Founder
October 19, 2020
The art therapy community mourns the loss of Myra Levick, PhD, ATR-BC, a legendary pioneer in the field of art therapy. We sincerely thank each colleague and friend who submitted the below reminiscences and notes in memory of Myra Levick.
Art Therapy is Particularly Effective in Times of Crisis
September 24, 2020
In the survey, we asked respondents: “As an art therapist, how would you describe to someone unfamiliar with the profession why art therapy is uniquely suited to support mental health during this pandemic?” The survey takers explained that art therapy is particularly effective during times of crisis, especially in coping with isolation, changes in circumstance, trauma, and grief.