AATA Blog
In Honor of MLK Day: Dr. King’s “Creative Maladjustment” and Our Role as Art Therapists
January 17, 2022 | Zachary D. Van Den Berg
In a speech to the APA, Dr. King urged social scientists to play active roles in challenging discrimination, white supremacy, and racial injustice…and “participate in the beauty of diversity.” As art therapists—given our dual roles as both therapists and artists—we have a unique opportunity to address issues of injustice and discrimination, and in Dr. King’s words, to “tell it like it is.”
2021’s Top Ten Blog Articles!
These are out most popular blog articles in 2021, ranked by number of page views! No. 1 – Art Therapy is Particularly Effective in Times of Crisis: Results of the Corona Virus Impact Report By AATA National Office Staff During the coronavirus pandemic, art therapists...
Every Human Deserves Resilience: Using Art to Cultivate Intergenerational Healing in a BIPOC Colorado Community
On September 18th and 19th, Colorado Art Therapy Association members partnered with Social Justice Therapist Nicole Xenos of Painted One Healing to support Denver-based BIPOC artists in a community-based art workshop: Every Human Deserves Resilience. For two days, therapists joined with professional artists Moe Gram, Danielle Seewalker and Karma Leigh to help facilitate a workshop based on Gram’s Every Human Empathy Campaign. This art-based workshop provided a supportive space for BIPOC community members to come together to engage in therapeutic resources, have hard conversations and to create art.
Mental Health Resources to Support Communities Coping with the Crisis in Afghanistan
The stories and images coming out of Afghanistan resulting from the Taliban takeover of the Afghan government are heart-wrenching. For so many who have a direct connection or unique perspective, this is a particularly difficult time, with serious mental health repercussions. AATA has compiled this list of mental health resources for emergency support and other assistance.
Update on Integrating DEI into All Aspects of the Association
July 29, 2021 | Gretchen M. Miller
The purpose of this update is to provide a status report on the ways in which AATA has begun to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the entire organization, and to communicate about the next steps in this ongoing process. Much like in national conversations, this process has included critically re-examining, dismantling, and transforming policies, structures, and identifying our biases throughout the AATA, and assessing impacts on the broader art therapy community.
When Dreams Come True – Establishing an Art Therapy Master’s Program in India
June 15, 2021
We are thrilled to announce the art therapy master’s program at Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) – Art Design Technology University (ADT) in Pune, India! The MFA in Art Therapy is now offered though the School of Fine Arts & Applied Arts (SOFA). The first batch of students will be enrolled in 2021 and will graduate in 2023. In this post, we are excited to tell our story that led to this achievement and to share our hopes for the future.
Antiracist and Anti-Oppressive Publishing Practices in Art Therapy Journal
May 20, 2021 | Art Therapy Journal Editor, Associate Editors, and Advisory Board
As part of the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) broader Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association is incorporating a range of antiracist and anti-oppressive publishing practices. We began by intentionally recruiting reviewers who hold various identities – racial, cultural, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, and others. We are always looking for new reviewers to join our ad-hoc pool so that people can be ready to join the full review board.
Moments of Connection in Art Therapy with My Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Clients
May 17, 2021 | Miki Goerdt
As May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I have been reflecting on my work with AANHPI clients. I am an East Asian immigrant, a Japanese art therapist, and a clinical social worker. I am sharing several stories from sessions with my AANHPI clients, hoping that they give you some understanding of AANHPI clients’ lived experiences.
From Art Therapists to Advocates: Achieving Art Therapy Licensure in Tennessee
May 6, 2021 | Paige Scheinberg & Catherine Harris
“We did it, y’all! We passed the Senate and the House… and, now, the Governor has signed our bill. We now have an Art Therapy License in Tennessee!!” Now, we’re here to support YOU! Whether you have just started with advocacy and legislative efforts in your own state or you have been at it for a while, we hope some of our experiences and lessons learned along the way will help energize and inspire you to keep doing the incredible work you’re doing.
Introducing LaToya Pegram, Conference Special Sessions Chair
April 21, 2021
I find that now more than before people are welcoming the idea of mental wellness. Whether people are being forced to connect within home or through extensive hours on screen, the pandemic has motivated many to self-reflect on values, goals, and loved ones. People have tapped into innovative and creative ideas that sparked new business ventures and ways to acquire one’s goals. The creation and exploration of genograms has been a preferred directive especially during this time as it not only teaches patterns of behavior but also provides insight to provoke awareness.