As the 2023 AATA Conference Program Chair, Carolyn Brown Treadon, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, mentioned, the most inspiring part of last month’s conference wasn’t the presentations, but the connection and re-engagement with art therapists from across the country. We want to extend that feeling into the Virtual Conference — and year round!
I was particularly thrilled to not only see the thoughtful presentations and subsequent discussions, but also experience the connection and re-engagement with art therapists from across the country! What a warm, welcoming time!
That’s why we are taking the Shared Interest Group sessions into the Virtual Conference, and creating online communities for our members to connect any time, in real time. (Some of you may remember the “Focus Groups” of previous conferences. These were one-time annual sessions held at conference where people could connect. But they seemed fleeting and time-limited—and the idea for Shared Interest Groups was created!)
Join a Shared Interest Group during the Virtual Conference, Dec. 17-18
LGBTQ+
Dec. 17 at 9:15am
Led by Zachary D. Van Den Berg, MA, LPC-A, ATR-P, and Ashley Abigail Gruezo Resurreccion
Those who identify as LGBTQ+ are invited to join this special interest group to make meaningful connections and process community-related concerns with their fellow peers.
BIPOC Art Therapists and Students
Dec. 18 at 9:15am
Led by Gwendolyn Short,ATR-BC, LCPAT
We invite attendees who self-identify as BIPOC to attend this SIG session only, in the interest of creating a safe space for conversation.
Una Mañana Linda: Networking for Latinx and/or Spanish Speaking Art Therapists
Dec. 18 at 9:15am
Led by Nadia Paredes, LMFT, ATR
Por qué no empezar el día tomando la oportunidad de un nuevo comienzo para conectar significativamente con otrxs? Trae tus materiales de arte favoritos y juntxs crearemos arte para aterrizarnos en Español, conectando con nuestras victorias en el campo, nuestras batallas, pero lo más importante, conectando entre nosotros con nuestras historias!
Doctoral Education
Dec. 17 at 1:30pm
Led by Nancy Gerber, PhD, ATR-BC
The Doctoral Education Subcommittee invites you to join us for questions, answers, and networking about doctoral education for art therapists!
Licensure Advocacy
Dec. 17 and 18 at 1:30pm
Led by Tyler Kirby, AATA National Office staff
Join art therapy advocates to discuss ongoing and future advocacy initiatives around the country.
School-based Art Therapy
Dec. 18 at 1:30pm
Led by Marygrace Berberian, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC, LCSW
Join others committed to school-based art therapy! If you are interested in working or currently working in schools, please join us to share strategies for implementation, expansion and evaluation. Reduce your isolation in being the sole art therapist at the school site by finding community among us.
Neuroscience
Dec. 18 at 1:30pm
Led by Juliet King, PhD(c), MA, ATR-BC, LPC, LMHC
Neuroscience is central to the convergence of the arts and psychological sciences. Although we are a few decades beyond the Age of the Brain, important questions remain that impact art therapy. C’mon along to discuss what we can claim and what matters in translating neuroscientific evidence without drowning in all its seductive allure!
Private Practice
Dec. 17 at 9:15pm