September 14, 2025
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.
What excites you most about your job right now?
Tell is about what an average day looks like for you.
Every day looks different in crisis response!If you were talking to a potential client about why art therapy is unique (or why it’s effective) what would you say?
Art therapy can be an incredibly effective way to express ourselves when words are often not enough. It is a safe place to explore our internal worlds while creating new coping skills and neural pathways!“I remember the exact moment I fell in love with art therapy. I was in high school and speaking with my guidance counselor. I was sharing with her that I felt torn between psychology and art, and wasn’t sure where to place my focus when choosing electives. The moment she told me that art therapy was a field I felt so much excitement and possibility! I went home and began the research. It made so much sense to me to connect with individuals through art.”
— Patsy Mika
What are your hopes for the future of the art therapy profession?
My hope is that professional recognition increases, along with state reciprocity for licensure. I think even more important than that, is to continue to share the passion for the field with younger generations so we can continue to grow.
What keeps you excited about the AATA community?
I love AATA and the community of like minded, passionate individuals. Art therapy is truly unique and powerful, and so are the people who are drawn to it.
Ben’s Boot
Oil pastels, crayons, tempera paint sticks, glitter pens
2023
Artist Statement: Creative collaboration with 3 year old son, working with different textures, tools and movement
About Patsy Mika, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy specializing in Clinical Art Therapy, QMHP
Patsy Mika is a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) working in diverse populations, including; adolescents and adults in recovery for substance abuse, post-incarceration rehabilitation, at-risk youth, trauma across the life span (point of incident and recovery), crisis intervention and prevention, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Patsy is skilled in assessing patients and developing and administering treatment plans while using a background of positive psychology and focusing on person-centered care. Patsy has a clinical focus on trauma informed care, multicultural awareness, positive psychology, clinical art therapy, and mindfulness-based practices among others. She also has both personal and professional experience in multicultural, multigenerational, and multilingual situations.
Patsy is currently working in community-based crisis response, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the REACH program in Northern Virginia. REACH works alongside 988 (the national suicide and crisis lifeline) to help provide timely responses to families and providers.
She earned her B.A. from Spring Hill College cum laude where she majored in Art Therapy and Psychology, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Art Psychotherapy from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied under Helen Landgarten. Patsy lives in D.C. with her husband and two beautiful boys; ages five and nine-months old.