January 25, 2018
Straja Linder King, ATR-BC is the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Clinician Award – General Services. This honor is conferred on a Professional member of the Association in recognition of significant contributions to work with clients, rather than service to the Association or contributions to the field of art therapy in general. In their nomination letters, colleagues recognize Linder King for her dedication to her clients and creative approach to her practice.
Linder King works in private practice and engages in significant volunteer work throughout the year. She has been teaching art therapy coursework for the past twenty years and is currently on the faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. Ms. Linder King earned her master’s in art therapy from Seton Hill University and has worked in numerous settings including educational, correctional, residential, rehabilitative, palliative, and hospital. She specializes in bereavement and working with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has written several book chapters on eco- art therapy and her unique research on animal-assisted art therapy. In 2015 the AATA honored Twillow Rose as “Hero Therapy Dog,” the first dog to be recognized by the AATA for her contributions to art therapy sessions. Linder King notes that “Combining the art with the therapy dogs mitigates the anxiety surrounding the more important issues being addressed.” Visit her website to learn more about her practice, where animal-assisted therapy and art therapy merge.
Her colleagues commend her dedication and innovation in her clinical work. In her nomination letter, a colleague writes, “Straja has been, and continues to be, a pioneer for the art therapy profession,” noting her ability to “to develop and promote the practice of art therapy with emphasis on cross-cultural community work” in an area of Canada where art therapy was not well-recognized.
Another colleague says, “I can think of no one who possess her irrepressible spirit and love of art, animals and healing.” She continues, “A highly skilled clinician, Straja is able to sensitively and successfully work with people of different cultures and abilities…She is truly a community-based art therapist working with audiences across the lifespan. This is where her original development of animal-assisted art therapy has been most remarkable.”
“Unified Dance of Life” by Straja Linder King. Linoleum cut. 24” X 36”.
Artist’s statement: “This was my healing, how I started dealing with grief issues. I realized how creativity expedites the healing process. The whole premise of my work is locating, shifting, exploring, arranging, and the sacredness of making. My art explores the vast realms of ancient wisdom, western culture, comparative religions, literature, and my life’s spiritual journey. Together I embrace underlying themes of connecting all sentient beings especially people and animals.