Resources

Research Resources Available
February 11, 2021
Did you know that the American Art Therapy Association provides online access to several art therapy specific bibliographies and resource lists? Thanks to our incredible volunteers, each list was crafted to offer evidence of the effects of art therapy with various populations and can be used to advance the field. Each list is available on the Research page on our website, and the direct links are provided below.

Findings from AATA’s Coronavirus Pandemic Impact Survey
August 14, 2020
To better understand how art therapists are responding to the Coronavirus pandemic and coping themselves, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) conducted an online survey of art therapy professionals, educators, and students in May 2020. The findings offer a look into the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on art therapists, the clients they serve, as well as access to mental health care. (Download the full report.)

From an Online Art Therapy Grad Student, Here are 5 Tips for Making the Transition to Virtual
April 6, 2020 | Trica Zeyher
When I found out that my internship site was going to be transitioning to telehealth therapy from face-to-face services due to coronavirus social distancing, I felt prepared from my online graduate experiences. Edinboro University’s online art therapy program provided me with practice to succeed even in these challenging times. Here are my top 5 tips of how to succeed in an online art therapy master’s program.

Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association Resources for Responding to COVID-19
March 31, 2020 | Jordan S. Potash
As art therapists and their clients adjust to tele-art therapy and online education, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association contains several articles to help navigate these challenges. The following are a selection of recent resources on key topics. The full journal offerings, going back to volume 1, are included with AATA membership.

Best Practices for Using Art Supplies Hygienically during the COVID-19 Outbreak
March 16, 2020 | Andrea Davis
As we navigate the current coronavirus pandemic, it is a good time to be mindful about art supplies and ways to prevent the spread of illness. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) describes COVID-19 as an airborne illness. Droplets in the air can be breathed in and also land on surfaces including work spaces and art supplies. Protecting clients from harm includes having clean art supplies.

AATA Statement on the Developing Coronavirus Pandemic
March 12. 2020
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) shares in the concerns we are facing as a nation and a global community regarding the dynamic developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We stand with our art therapy community and people around the world, keeping everyone’s health—physical and emotional—as our number one priority.

The Traumatic Impact and Aftereffects of Gun-Related Violence
April 11, 2019
As the nation’s leading non-profit organization for advancing the art therapy profession, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) provides our members and the public we serve with important content to support the wellbeing of all individuals, families, and communities. The following resource offer information about the traumatic impact and aftereffects of gun-related violence in our communities, families, and schools, as well as in the media.

World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2018
In recognition of this global awareness effort, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) offers the following resources on mental health, art therapy, and the Association’s advocacy and awareness efforts.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Best Practices for Art Therapists and Resources for the Public
September 13, 2018
This AATA resource offers information and best practices for art therapists and other mental health clinicians to support suicide prevention and awareness for our clients, families, communities, and survivors. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and nearly 45,000 Americans die by suicide every year, according to statistics published the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

June is Pride Month: Here’s what art therapists need to know
By Daniel Blausey | June 21, 2018 | #WeAreArtTherapists
For art therapists, Pride Month is not only a time to celebrate, commemorate, and march proudly in solidarity, it is also a time to reflect on the shifting political and cultural fronts impacting our clients within the LGBTQIA community on a day-to-day basis. It is important to recognize the varying social locations — cultural backgrounds such as religion, language, cuisine, social habits, arts, and specific family history of race, gender, socio-economic status, and education — that intersect for each of our clients, potentially manifesting as depression, suicidality, anger, low self-worth or any combination of emotions.