Pride Member Event: A Conversation of Identities in Queer Community

June 15, 2026

JOIN US for this Virtual CE Event!
June 23, 2026, 6 – 8pm ET

Register (FREE for all AATA Members) | Not an AATA Member? Learn more about Membership

This June, please join us for a virtual CE event honoring Pride Month — Missed Connection: A Conversation of Identities in Queer Community —  on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 6-8pm ET.

This event will be presented by AATA Member Sara Blevins-Ranes (they/them) and AATA Board Member Michael Galarraga (he/him). It opens with an hour-long presentation on queer psychology frameworks and theories, an overview of the Social Change Ecosystem Map, and an art directive. Members will have the opportunity to explore their own identities alongside peers while developing clinical advocacy skills for working with LGBTQIA+ communities.

All AATA Members are welcome! Attendees may earn 1 CE Credit

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About the Event

This is a two-part virtual session designed to foster self-expression, dialogue, and community among AATA Members.

  • The first hour (6–7pm ET) is a CE-eligible presentation exploring how collage and zine-making can be used to examine identity, intersectionality, and belonging. Participants will create personal visual narratives that reflect their lived experiences, sources of strength, and visions for the future. This session is recorded and eligible for 1 Continuing Education Credit. All registrants will have ongoing access to the recording, whether you attend live or watch on-demand.

  • The second hour (7–8pm ET) shifts into an open, unrecorded space for discussion, Q&A, and small-group breakout conversations. 

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  1. Examine and express at least two aspects of their identity, intersectionality, and lived experiences through the creation of visual narratives.
  2. Develop clinical advocacy skills for LGBTQIA+ people through active listening, storytelling, and engaging in collaborative art-making activities.
  3. Identify three sources of strength, resilience, and belonging through exploration of personal intersectionality experiences that contribute to respective community envisioning for the future.
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About the Presenters

Sara Blevins-Ranes, MA, ATR-BC, LPCC, LPC, LPAT

Sara Blevins-Ranes (they/them) is a queer art therapist based out of Dayton, OH. Sara works with the LGBTQIA+ population and neurodiverse populations to assist with trauma recovery and post-traumatic growth. They are actively involved in the queer arts therapy community—co-authoring chapters, co-facilitating AATA workshops and trainings, and sitting on the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Queer Creative Arts Therapies.

They have previously volunteered with the South Texas Art Therapy Association, the AATA mentoring program, and the Arts in Healing International Film Festival.

Michael Galarraga, MS, LPC, ATR-BC, CSAC, CSOTP

Michael Galarraga (he/him) is a practicing art therapist, art therapy supervisor, clinical director and AATA Board Member. He has previously served on the Virginia and Georgia Art Therapy chapters promoting community engagement projects and advocating for the profession of art therapy. Michael’s work centers advocating for People of Color in the LGBTQIA+ community and Spanish-speaking individuals in need of therapeutic services. He is the proud owner of Intersection Therapy, LLC, a private practice based in Philadelphia, PA, and an adjunct professor for local graduate art therapy programs.

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