AATA Blog
Iona Senior Services Art Therapy Program Hosts First Lady of South Korea
By Elizabeth Kim | July 13, 2017 | International | Events
I run the art therapy program at Iona Senior Services in Washington, DC. My program were selected to host South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-Sook. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the First Lady have both expressed their commitment to funding services for older adults with dementia and their families in South Korea.
How Images and Art Making Help Children’s Mental Health: An Illustrator and Art Therapist Explains
By Clara Keane | July 6, 2017 | Children
Giora Carmi is an art therapist and illustrator of children’s books and other genres. The AATA interviewed him about his experience working with children both as clients in art therapy and as consumers of children’s books. In the following interview, Carmi discussed his book Circle of Friends (Carmi, 2003) in the context of how children can learn empathy through imagery and shared his experiences working with children in art therapy.
Youth Art Exhibition at the United Nations: Images of Identity, Home, and Cultural Exchange
By Clara Keane | June 29, 2017 | Children | Events | International
The AATA warmly congratulates Eileen P. McGann, ATR-BC, LCAT, Director and founder of the Arts and Creative Therapies program at MercyFirst, one of New York’s leading non-profit human service agencies, for her work coordinating a recent youth art exhibition, “Hope Holds No Borders: Children’s Art of Compassion and Inclusion” at the United Nations.
Oregon Art Therapy Licensure Bill Signed into Law
By Clara Keane | June 1, 2017 | Advocacy
Oregon House Bill 2434, which provides art therapy licensing and title protection for credentialed professionals, was signed into law by Governor Kate Brown on May 25, 2017. The bill passed the Senate on May 15, twenty-three to seven, and the House on May 17, forty-seven to twelve.
The Effects of Using Clay in Art Therapy: A New Article Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders
By Lisa D. Hinz | May 25, 2017 | Research
Joshua Kinman is a registered art therapist who lives and works in Hong Kong. His doctoral research journal article, “Effects of clay art therapy on adults outpatients with Major Depressive Disorders: A randomized controlled trial” has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, after intensive clinical investigation, research, and academic writing.
Report on the 2017 International Symposium 21st Century Great Conversations in Neuroscience, Art and Related Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
By Juliet King | May 18, 2017 | Events | Research |
It was with active minds and a collaborative spirit that the Schools of Art, Medicine, Engineering, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Informatics and Liberal Arts came together to host the international symposium 21st Century Great Conversations in Neuroscience, Art and Related Therapeutics at Indiana University– Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in April.
An Expert on School-Based Art Therapy Explains how Art Therapy Helps Children Make Sense of the Insensible
By Clara Keane | May 11, 2017 | Children | Education
During the month of May, starting with the kickoff event on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the AATA is highlighting topics related to children’s mental health in Art Therapy Today.
Arizona Governor Signs State Hiring and Title Protection Bill for Art Therapists into Law: A Chapter’s Journey
By Clara Keane | May 4, 2017 | Advocacy
On Monday evening, May 1, Arizona Governor Douglas Ducey signed SB 1434, art therapy services; contracting requirements, into law. The bill authorizes the state to contract with art therapists who hold active art therapy certification for services provided through the state mental hospital, the state’s program of services for persons with disabilities, and state supported hospitals.
Maryland Insurance Reimbursement Bill Approved Unanimously
By Clara Keane | April 20, 2017 | Advocacy
On Tuesday April 18, H.B. 298, Health Insurance – Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapists – Reimbursement, was approved by Governor Larry Hogan! The bill passed unanimously through the House (2/24/17) with a vote of 136 to 0 and the Senate (3/28/17) with a vote of 47 to 0 following favorable reports by the House Health and Government Operations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
SoCalATA Honors Lauryn Hunter: Art Therapist Helps Standing Rock Children and Families
By Teresa Grame | February 23, 2017 | Community
The Southern California Art Therapy Association (SoCalATA) was honored to present Lauryn Hunter, LMFT, ATR with the Art Therapy Distinguished Service Award at our Annual General meeting held on February 4, 2017. The award recognized Lauryn for her important role in responding to the needs of the children and families of the water protectors at Standing Rock in North Dakota, in addition to her work in the local schools of Los Angeles.