AATA Blog
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.
Featured Member: Bobbi Stoll, MFT, CTS, CT, ATR-BC
July 14, 2022
Creativity and innovation have driven the field of art therapy and gotten it to where it is today. Don’t lose that creativity! There are many challenges art therapists face, such as licensing, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Keep getting your hands dirty—it would be a shame to see that creativity diminished.
Featured Member: Kaalex Ash-Green
“One of my goals in becoming an art therapist is to create space for people American psychology has historically discriminated against.”
Featured Member: Saba Harouni Lurie (she/her/hers)
I identify as queer and pansexual, and pride month feels deeply personal and complex. While it’s exciting to see pride images everywhere, I am also critical of the intention when it seems that corporations and businesses are pandering to the LGBTQIA+ community during this time of the year and potentially supporting anti-queer and anti-trans legislation the rest of the year. I am all for representation and visibility and would like it to be authentic and uplifting all year round.
Juneteenth 2022
This Sunday, June 19th, is a celebration of freedom to be recognized by all Americans. On June 19, 1865, more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free from slavery and for the first time recognized as citizens of the United States.