The American Art Therapy Association represents a diversity of professionals, students, and organizations across the nation. We recognize and celebrate the work of our members at all levels through our Featured Member series.
January 12, 2023
What excites (or inspires) you most about your job right now?
Bridging psychology and art therapy, working with clients in art therapy groups and in psychotherapy, art therapy research in medical settings, publication of a textbook for undergrad art therapy courses.
Has working with a particular client group shaped your professional focus or specialty? What have you learned from working with these clients?
I work mostly with people with mental health conditions in a variety of settings. Right now [I am] primarily working with people with neurological disorders (chronic and progressive illness). I am amazed by the resilience of the people I work with.
How have race, diversity, and/or social justice impacted your work as an art therapist (or art therapy student)?
I advocate for making art therapy a more accessible and affordable profession so that we can better represent the US population and serve a wider range of clientele.
What are your hopes for the future of the art therapy profession?
Increased accessibility to the profession and services and enhanced collaboration with other fields like psychology, social work, and counseling.
What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career in art therapy? Or, is there something you would like to share about your journey thus far as an art therapist?
Art therapy is a powerful approach to treatment that has the potential to improve the lives of many people.
The Goddess Within
by Meera Rastogi
Collage, acrylic and watercolor, paint pens,
gel medium. 2020
About Meera Rastogi, PhD, ATR-BC, MA Art Therapy
Dr. Rastogi is a licensed psychologist, board certified art therapist, certified group psychotherapist, and psychology professor at the University of Cincinnati, Clermont College. She teaches in the psychology program and directs the University’s Pre-Art Therapy Certificate Program. Dr. Rastogi received the 2019 Lucille Pederson Hardgrove Exemplary Educator Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Ohio and the 2021 Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching Outside of the classroom. In addition to teaching, Dr. Rastogi runs art therapy groups for people with movement disorders and multiple sclerosis at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute and sees individual clients. She also has a small practice.
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