AATA Blog
Efficacy of Art Therapy: What the Literature Tells Us
This report, called The Proven Efficacy of Creative Arts Therapies: What the Literature Tells Us brings together over 40 major pieces of peer reviewed research: from systematic reviews of relevant randomized controlled trials, evidence from meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials and evidence developed from systematic reviews from across the world.
What Does it Mean to Serve our Members and our Organization? Hear from a Nominations Committee Member
As nomination season begins, I want to share my thoughts on serving as an AATA Director and now as a member of the Nominating Committee. I asked myself, what does it mean to serve our members and our organization? I believe the answer is this: it is a way to give back, help guide the future of our profession and help it thrive.
Belonging is Being Seen: Pride, Community, and Trauma
By Magdalena Karlick, Ph.D-c, ATR-BC, LPCC
When queer folks lose inherited community due to dress, love, and interests it is a deep rupture. This loss is complicated. One can be both deeply hurt and feel betrayed by the family member who refuses to use their pronouns and they can also love and respect this human.
Understanding Cultural Contexts through Japanese Printmaking: My Experience as Art Therapist and Artist
I recently chose Japanese woodblock printmaking, Mokuhanga, as an art medium in order to heal from the cultural identity loss I endured as I experienced assimilation in the United States. I have been learning the traditional way of printmaking from a teacher in Japan, initially in person and then through virtual sessions.
Four Reasons Why Art Therapy is Effective With Older Americans
Art with older adults provides opportunities to express inner experiences in a visual and contained way. This fosters and introduces healthy outlets and coping skills as well as providing a sense of mastery and accomplishment. This type of meaningful expression may not be possible verbally for some older adults due to illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, other forms of dementia, and aphasia due to stroke.
Pause & Reevaluate: Using a Relational Approach to Find Solutions for All
As art therapists, many of us work as a member of the interdisciplinary team in organizations such as hospitals, schools, and agencies. Sometimes art therapists need to use conflict resolution skills to effectively address challenges within the team. In this blog, I share my story of how I used a relational approach to find solutions for my team in order to keep art therapy appropriate and alive for clients.
Sankofa: A Vision of Black Healing and Liberation Through Afrofuturistic Art
3/8/2023
Join AATA on March 22, at 6 – 8 pm ET, for a live, virtual session, “Sankofa – Art of Afrofuturism.”
This panel presentation is a conversation between an art therapist, museum educators, and research professors who examine black art in the context of the past, present, and future to determine the implications of the concept of afrofuturism in art therapy and art education.
Showing Up as an Art Therapist and Human Being in the Healing Space
“Art therapy can be a safe, less intrusive approach to therapy for the BIPOC communities when self-disclosure of an art therapist further inspires authenticity and rapport building with BIPOC clients. As a BIPOC art therapist, showing up as my authentic self by incorporating cultural references, terminology, and my artwork into my practice allows my BIPOC clients to feel safe enough to also show up with what is true to them and their culture.”
Honoring African-American Art Therapy Pioneers
February 14, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
This Black History Month and year round, we honor the contributions of African-Americans to the field of art therapy and to the Association. This year, as we celebrate the 365 days of our 50th Anniversary, we reflect on our history and look to the future of the American Art Therapy Association.
Unraveling the Misconceptions of Hair
Feb. 8, 2023 | By Naarah Macklin, MS, LMHC
The start of this journey began with an individual asking to touch my hair in a professional setting. The question was innocent enough. But why would she ask to touch my hair? What makes my hair such a form of curiosity? This experience began my quest to explore answers within safe spaces for individuals to get together and share their own personal experiences related to hair.