President
Mindy Jacobson-Levy
Mindy Jacobson-Levy, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPC, LPAT, PAATA HLM is a Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist, a Licensed Professional Art Therapist (NJ), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (PA & NJ). She received the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association/PAATA Honorary Life Member Award (1996), the Innovative Applications of Art Therapy Award (2015), and has served on the PAATA Board of Directors as Treasurer, Newsletter Chair, and current President (2023-2025). Mindy graduated from the State University of New York (Stony Brook) with a dual bachelor’s degree in fine arts and psychology, and has a master’s degree from Hahnemann University (now Drexel) in creative arts therapy. She also received a certification in the administration of social services from Temple University.
Mindy is a trained SoulCollage® Facilitator and certified Broken Bowl™ Facilitator. Her career spans over four decades and includes inpatient, partial, and intensive outpatient programs, as well as supervision and consultation. Currently, she is in private practice and her clinical areas of expertise include serving individuals impacted by trauma, eating disorders, and a range of psychological concerns from childhood to adulthood. She provides professional supervision and is a national speaker and author.
Her most recent publication is Creative Destruction and Transformation in Art and Therapy: Reframing, Reforming, Reclaiming (Jacobson-Levy & Miller, 2022, Art Therapy Journal). In addition to several other publications, she co-authored Finding Your Voice Through Creativity: The Art & Journaling Workbook for Disordered Eating (Jacobson-Levy & Foy-Tornay, 2010, Gürze Books) and was invited by the International Society for the Study of Dissociation and Trauma to assist in authoring the Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder in Adults (ISST-D, 2005 & 2011). Mindy is also a mixed-media artist.
Mindy Jacobson-Levy
Mindy Jacobson-Levy, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPC, LPAT, PAATA HLM is a Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist, a Licensed Professional Art Therapist (NJ), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (PA & NJ). She received the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association/PAATA Honorary Life Member Award (1996), the Innovative Applications of Art Therapy Award (2015), and has served on the PAATA Board of Directors as Treasurer, Newsletter Chair, and current President (2023-2025). Mindy graduated from the State University of New York (Stony Brook) with a dual bachelor’s degree in fine arts and psychology, and has a master’s degree from Hahnemann University (now Drexel) in creative arts therapy. She also received a certification in the administration of social services from Temple University.
Mindy is a trained SoulCollage® Facilitator and certified Broken Bowl™ Facilitator. Her career spans over four decades and includes inpatient, partial, and intensive outpatient programs, as well as supervision and consultation. Currently, she is in private practice and her clinical areas of expertise include serving individuals impacted by trauma, eating disorders, and a range of psychological concerns from childhood to adulthood. She provides professional supervision and is a national speaker and author.
Her most recent publication is Creative Destruction and Transformation in Art and Therapy: Reframing, Reforming, Reclaiming (Jacobson-Levy & Miller, 2022, Art Therapy Journal). In addition to several other publications, she co-authored Finding Your Voice Through Creativity: The Art & Journaling Workbook for Disordered Eating (Jacobson-Levy & Foy-Tornay, 2010, Gürze Books) and was invited by the International Society for the Study of Dissociation and Trauma to assist in authoring the Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder in Adults (ISST-D, 2005 & 2011). Mindy is also a mixed-media artist.
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President-Elect
Laura Bauder Laura Bauder, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CAADC, CCTP is a board certified, registered art therapist and licensed professional counselor, certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor and holds an additional certification in trauma. She co-owns Pennsylvania Holistic Healing (paholistichealing.org), a private practice focused on offering mental health and addictions care to individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to care. She has taught in both undergraduate and graduate art therapy and psychology programs, where she enjoys sharing her experiences in the field and preparing the next generation of art therapists to shine. In addition to her clinical practice and teaching experiences, one of Laura's favorite things to do is offer supervision. Laura's is an avid craftswoman. Her personal art is grounded in fibers; quilting, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and paper making. She is also a is a trained SoulCollage® Facilitator and practices SoulCollage® daily in her own life. Additionally, she spends her free time gardening, hiking, kayaking, and wrangling her three dogs. |
Archivist
Michelle Dean
Michelle L. Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CGP, HLM (PAATA/DVATA) is a Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Group Psychotherapist. She received her BFA from The University of The Arts in Illustration and a concentration in Art Therapy and her Master’s degree in Creative Arts in Therapy – Art Therapy from Drexel University (previously Hahnemann University). She has been in practice for over 25 years and has expertise in treating individuals who struggle with addictions, eating disorders, relationship issues, and traumatic experiences. She co founded The Center for Psyche & the Arts, LLC (http://psychearts.org) with two locations in the Philadelphia area where she sees individuals, families, and groups, as well as facilitates continuing education and wellness programs for clinicians and the public.
In addition to her clinical practice, she is an artist, author, supervisor, educator, and consultant. She has numerous publications her credit, including the children’s book, Taking Weight Issues to School and Using Art Media in Psychotherapy: Bringing the Power of Creativity to Practice (Routledge), which won the 2015 Pearlie Roberson Award from The American Art Therapy Association. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association bestowed their highest honor, the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, to Ms. Dean in 2012.
She has more than twenty years of teaching experience and is currently the Director of the undergraduate minor at The University of the Arts, is an adjunct at St. Joseph University and Marywood University, and is an internationally recognized educator and invited keynote speaker. Her Center is an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) where she provides educational programs for clinicians locally and from around the globe.
Michelle Dean
Michelle L. Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CGP, HLM (PAATA/DVATA) is a Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Group Psychotherapist. She received her BFA from The University of The Arts in Illustration and a concentration in Art Therapy and her Master’s degree in Creative Arts in Therapy – Art Therapy from Drexel University (previously Hahnemann University). She has been in practice for over 25 years and has expertise in treating individuals who struggle with addictions, eating disorders, relationship issues, and traumatic experiences. She co founded The Center for Psyche & the Arts, LLC (http://psychearts.org) with two locations in the Philadelphia area where she sees individuals, families, and groups, as well as facilitates continuing education and wellness programs for clinicians and the public.
In addition to her clinical practice, she is an artist, author, supervisor, educator, and consultant. She has numerous publications her credit, including the children’s book, Taking Weight Issues to School and Using Art Media in Psychotherapy: Bringing the Power of Creativity to Practice (Routledge), which won the 2015 Pearlie Roberson Award from The American Art Therapy Association. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association bestowed their highest honor, the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, to Ms. Dean in 2012.
She has more than twenty years of teaching experience and is currently the Director of the undergraduate minor at The University of the Arts, is an adjunct at St. Joseph University and Marywood University, and is an internationally recognized educator and invited keynote speaker. Her Center is an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) where she provides educational programs for clinicians locally and from around the globe.
Corresponding Secretary
Ashley Caldero
Ashley Caldaro, MA, ATR-BC, LPC was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Art Therapy from Marywood University, and went on to receive her Master's degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University. Since graduating, Ashley has remained in Philadelphia. Ashley has extensive experience working with the inpatient psychiatric population, providing both group and individual therapy. She currently works at Belmont Behavioral Hospital in Philadelphia. Ashley is passionate about helping individuals in crisis find meaning through art making. She works with a variety of age groups, though her time is primarily spent with the adult population. Ashley currently provides ATR-BC supervision. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time outside and making homemade pizzas!
Ashley Caldero
Ashley Caldaro, MA, ATR-BC, LPC was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Art Therapy from Marywood University, and went on to receive her Master's degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University. Since graduating, Ashley has remained in Philadelphia. Ashley has extensive experience working with the inpatient psychiatric population, providing both group and individual therapy. She currently works at Belmont Behavioral Hospital in Philadelphia. Ashley is passionate about helping individuals in crisis find meaning through art making. She works with a variety of age groups, though her time is primarily spent with the adult population. Ashley currently provides ATR-BC supervision. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time outside and making homemade pizzas!
Membership Chair
Kate Gibson
Kate Gibson, ATR-BC, LPC received her bachelors degree from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA double majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Kate currently works at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as the senior art therapist where she treats patients and family members coping with medical illness and treatment, new diagnoses, and hospitalization. In addition to individual and family treatment, Kate developed various open art studio programs as well as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit parent support group. Kate also opened her practice Draw It Out LLC in 2016 working with children, adolescents, and adults. Kate has 11 years of experience working in community, educational, and outpatient mental health settings and specializes in the treatment of Autism, developmental and learning disabilities, Anxiety and Trauma in children, adolescents, and adults.
Kate Gibson
Kate Gibson, ATR-BC, LPC received her bachelors degree from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA double majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Kate currently works at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as the senior art therapist where she treats patients and family members coping with medical illness and treatment, new diagnoses, and hospitalization. In addition to individual and family treatment, Kate developed various open art studio programs as well as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit parent support group. Kate also opened her practice Draw It Out LLC in 2016 working with children, adolescents, and adults. Kate has 11 years of experience working in community, educational, and outpatient mental health settings and specializes in the treatment of Autism, developmental and learning disabilities, Anxiety and Trauma in children, adolescents, and adults.
Treasurer
Adele Minton
Adele Minton, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPC attended Kutztown State College (now Kutztown University) and received a BS in Art Education. She taught elementary school art for a few years before discovering the field of art therapy. She attended Hahnemann University (now Drexel University). She received a Masters of Creative Arts in Therapy (MCAT) with a concentration in art therapy. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric facilities as well as with residents of a nursing home. Since 1991 she has been employed at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ where she works as an art therapist and a variety of other capacities. Three-quarters of the beds on this unit are for those patients who have been committed. Many are diagnosed with serious mental illness. In the community she facilitates Flying Solo, a support group for individuals facing the challenges of separation and divorce. In addition, Adele has taught at Holy Family University in their graduate art therapy program. Early in her career Adele She has previously served on the DVATA board as Recording Secretary, President-Elect and President.
Adele Minton
Adele Minton, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPC attended Kutztown State College (now Kutztown University) and received a BS in Art Education. She taught elementary school art for a few years before discovering the field of art therapy. She attended Hahnemann University (now Drexel University). She received a Masters of Creative Arts in Therapy (MCAT) with a concentration in art therapy. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric facilities as well as with residents of a nursing home. Since 1991 she has been employed at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ where she works as an art therapist and a variety of other capacities. Three-quarters of the beds on this unit are for those patients who have been committed. Many are diagnosed with serious mental illness. In the community she facilitates Flying Solo, a support group for individuals facing the challenges of separation and divorce. In addition, Adele has taught at Holy Family University in their graduate art therapy program. Early in her career Adele She has previously served on the DVATA board as Recording Secretary, President-Elect and President.
Governmental Affairs Chair
Kachina Mooney
Kachina Mooney, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, is a visionary leader in the field of art therapy and counseling, dedicated to clinical practice, advocacy work, and fostering inclusivity and belonging. With her expertise in using art as a therapeutic tool, she has made significant contributions to the mental health, well-being, and resilience of diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, migrants, and asylum seekers. These contributions include facilitating individual, family, and group art therapy, and being a tireless advocate in the pursuit of the highest quality of care for her clients, dedicating her time and practice to promoting meaning-making and personal transformation.
Kachina holds a master’s degree in art therapy from Seton Hill University, equipping her with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate art-making processes into the therapeutic setting. As a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, she demonstrates her commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional practice. Kachina continues to progress the field of art therapy through her dedicated work in the Pittsburgh community as well as through her current work in private practice.
Kachina's leadership extends beyond her clinical expertise. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association since 2022, leveraging her influence on shaping policies and promoting inclusivity within the field of art therapy. Kachina continues her passion for art therapy into the classroom, currently teaching at Point Park University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Kachina’s strategic vision and commitment to ethical practices have earned her recognition as a leader in the community.
Kachina Mooney
Kachina Mooney, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, is a visionary leader in the field of art therapy and counseling, dedicated to clinical practice, advocacy work, and fostering inclusivity and belonging. With her expertise in using art as a therapeutic tool, she has made significant contributions to the mental health, well-being, and resilience of diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, migrants, and asylum seekers. These contributions include facilitating individual, family, and group art therapy, and being a tireless advocate in the pursuit of the highest quality of care for her clients, dedicating her time and practice to promoting meaning-making and personal transformation.
Kachina holds a master’s degree in art therapy from Seton Hill University, equipping her with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate art-making processes into the therapeutic setting. As a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, she demonstrates her commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional practice. Kachina continues to progress the field of art therapy through her dedicated work in the Pittsburgh community as well as through her current work in private practice.
Kachina's leadership extends beyond her clinical expertise. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association since 2022, leveraging her influence on shaping policies and promoting inclusivity within the field of art therapy. Kachina continues her passion for art therapy into the classroom, currently teaching at Point Park University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Kachina’s strategic vision and commitment to ethical practices have earned her recognition as a leader in the community.
Governmental Affairs Chair Alternate
Elizabeth Micciulla
Elizabeth Micciulla, MA, NCC, ATR-P, CAADC attended Caldwell University where she obtained her B.A. in Art and Psychology in 2018. In 2021, Liz then went on to earn her M.A. in Counseling, specializing in Art Therapy. Since completing her M.A., she has started her career with Livengrin Foundation as an outpatient counselor and art therapist in their Northeast Philadelphia location. In this position, Liz works with adults who are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders in group, as well as individual settings. In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her family, two cats, learning piano, and exploring acrylic and oil paint mediums.
Elizabeth Micciulla
Elizabeth Micciulla, MA, NCC, ATR-P, CAADC attended Caldwell University where she obtained her B.A. in Art and Psychology in 2018. In 2021, Liz then went on to earn her M.A. in Counseling, specializing in Art Therapy. Since completing her M.A., she has started her career with Livengrin Foundation as an outpatient counselor and art therapist in their Northeast Philadelphia location. In this position, Liz works with adults who are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders in group, as well as individual settings. In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her family, two cats, learning piano, and exploring acrylic and oil paint mediums.
Events Co-Chair
Chris Zweifel
Chris Zweifel, MA, ATR-P is working towards becoming a Registered, Board-Certified Art
Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees in Art Therapy from Cedar Crest College. Since then, she has been contracting as an
Outpatient Clinical Therapist for Community Counseling Services. In her practice, she
incorporates eco-art therapy ideas as a treatment modality. She aims to help people lessen
distressing symptoms by doing art in, with and about nature.
Chris is laying the groundwork to engage in environmental art therapy with survivors of natural disasters. Her desire is to beautify public spaces and to help rebuild communities. Accordingly, she volunteers as a Disaster Action Team Supervisor with the American Red Cross. Serving as team leader on responses, she provides immediate support and assistance to individuals and families impacted by local disasters.
Under her pseudonym, Chris Singleheart, she hosts the independent podcast, SWAN Power. Through this passion project, she helps listeners discover the power of spirituality, wellness, arts, and nature. Of course, her chief visual artform is floral design. When she is not working or creating, you can find Chris training for her next marathon by running through forests.
Chris Zweifel
Chris Zweifel, MA, ATR-P is working towards becoming a Registered, Board-Certified Art
Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees in Art Therapy from Cedar Crest College. Since then, she has been contracting as an
Outpatient Clinical Therapist for Community Counseling Services. In her practice, she
incorporates eco-art therapy ideas as a treatment modality. She aims to help people lessen
distressing symptoms by doing art in, with and about nature.
Chris is laying the groundwork to engage in environmental art therapy with survivors of natural disasters. Her desire is to beautify public spaces and to help rebuild communities. Accordingly, she volunteers as a Disaster Action Team Supervisor with the American Red Cross. Serving as team leader on responses, she provides immediate support and assistance to individuals and families impacted by local disasters.
Under her pseudonym, Chris Singleheart, she hosts the independent podcast, SWAN Power. Through this passion project, she helps listeners discover the power of spirituality, wellness, arts, and nature. Of course, her chief visual artform is floral design. When she is not working or creating, you can find Chris training for her next marathon by running through forests.
Events Co-Chair
Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña
Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS. Fall 2019 I became a full time faculty with the art therapy program at PennWest University, Edinboro Campus. I obtained my Ph.D. in Art Education with a focus on Art Therapy and a Masters in Art Therapy from Florida State University. Prior to academia I spent 12 years working in forensic mental health with adults living with a chronic mental illness within a large state system. My primary work has been with the fusion of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and art therapy. I advocate for the building of resilience through the reciprocal and life-long relationship of creative expression.
To view some of my images check out my Instagram feed https://www.instagram.com/sacredartz/
Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña
Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS. Fall 2019 I became a full time faculty with the art therapy program at PennWest University, Edinboro Campus. I obtained my Ph.D. in Art Education with a focus on Art Therapy and a Masters in Art Therapy from Florida State University. Prior to academia I spent 12 years working in forensic mental health with adults living with a chronic mental illness within a large state system. My primary work has been with the fusion of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and art therapy. I advocate for the building of resilience through the reciprocal and life-long relationship of creative expression.
To view some of my images check out my Instagram feed https://www.instagram.com/sacredartz/
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Jobs Research Co-Chair
Anne Picardi Anne Picardi, MS, ATR (she/her) received her bachelor’s degree from Capital University in Columbus, OH double majoring in Art Therapy and Psychology and minoring in Studio Art. Anne then went on to obtain her master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy from Nazareth College (now Nazareth University) in Rochester, NY. Anne is working towards becoming a Board Certified Art Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in PA. She currently works as an outpatient therapist at a community mental health center. Anne has an interest in identity development and helping clients explore themes of self. In her free time, Anne enjoys creating art, baking, and playing with her cat. |
PR Co-Chair, Newsletter Chair
Lisa Ann Buettner
Lisa Ann Buettner, MA (she/her) is a Pittsburgh-based art therapist working towards her Registered, Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor credentials. Lisa originally worked as a Graphic Designer before deciding to switch gears and pursue a career in Art Therapy, graduating from Seton Hill University in 2020. Lisa worked as a Family Based Therapist for three years until fully transitioning into her current position at Infinite Lifestyle Solutions (ILS), a non-profit in the Northside community of Pittsburgh providing restorative, trauma-informed, anti-violence programming. Lisa is the art therapist on the team as well as the Program Coordinator for ILS’s Saving Our Sons And Daughters program, which involves developing the program's therapeutic art-based curriculum. Lisa also works to expand the reach of the program by thinking of creative ways to engage communities.
The healing power of art Lisa has witnessed in the Pittsburgh community has fueled her passion for bridging the gap between communities and formal mental health supports, as well as fighting stigma around mental health therapy and barriers individuals face to the care they deserve. Lisa has worked with clients of all ages with a wide range of diagnoses and issues in family, individual, and group settings. She approaches clients from a systemic mindset and works to educate about trauma and how its impacts both the mind and the body. When not working, Lisa enjoys running her small book club, practicing yoga, snowboarding, and continuing to engage in her local art community which keeps her inspired.
Lisa Ann Buettner
Lisa Ann Buettner, MA (she/her) is a Pittsburgh-based art therapist working towards her Registered, Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor credentials. Lisa originally worked as a Graphic Designer before deciding to switch gears and pursue a career in Art Therapy, graduating from Seton Hill University in 2020. Lisa worked as a Family Based Therapist for three years until fully transitioning into her current position at Infinite Lifestyle Solutions (ILS), a non-profit in the Northside community of Pittsburgh providing restorative, trauma-informed, anti-violence programming. Lisa is the art therapist on the team as well as the Program Coordinator for ILS’s Saving Our Sons And Daughters program, which involves developing the program's therapeutic art-based curriculum. Lisa also works to expand the reach of the program by thinking of creative ways to engage communities.
The healing power of art Lisa has witnessed in the Pittsburgh community has fueled her passion for bridging the gap between communities and formal mental health supports, as well as fighting stigma around mental health therapy and barriers individuals face to the care they deserve. Lisa has worked with clients of all ages with a wide range of diagnoses and issues in family, individual, and group settings. She approaches clients from a systemic mindset and works to educate about trauma and how its impacts both the mind and the body. When not working, Lisa enjoys running her small book club, practicing yoga, snowboarding, and continuing to engage in her local art community which keeps her inspired.
Public Relations Co-Chair
Interim- Laura Bauder, ATR-BC, LPC, CAADC
(Please see President-Elect for bio)
Interim- Laura Bauder, ATR-BC, LPC, CAADC
(Please see President-Elect for bio)
Recording Secretary
Kristen Rashid
Kristen Rashid (she/her) is a Registered, Board-Certified art therapist, and Licensed Professional Counselor, holding a Masters Degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Drexel University. She is the founder of Artful Explorations Therapy, an art therapy and counseling center for kids, teens, families, and adults located in Philadelphia’s Society Hill neighborhood.
Kristen meets clients where they are and helps them engage in the creative process of making art as a way to express themselves, increase insight, spark change, make connections, and develop problem solving skills. Fostering a positive therapeutic relationship and a supportive space for communication and growth is an important part of her approach with everyone she works with. Throughout her career, clients have come to her for support in navigating through a range of issues and experiences including: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, autism, depression, adjustments, divorce, grief/loss, and emotion dysregulation. She has over a decade of experience working with children and youth of all ages in a variety of outpatient and school-based settings, and with adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition to her clinical work, Kristen offers post-graduate ATR and LPC supervision for therapists.
She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association (PAATA), serving as the Archivist on the PAATA Board of Directors.
Kristen also holds a BFA from The University of the Arts with a degree in Graphic Design and Book Arts, and has taught bookmaking workshops and classes for children and adults. Her bookmaking experience has influenced her work as an art therapist as she has guided clients to explore the narratives and symbolism in the images they create, and to tell stories through sequences of images that help bring about healthy change in their emotional landscapes.
Kristen Rashid
Kristen Rashid (she/her) is a Registered, Board-Certified art therapist, and Licensed Professional Counselor, holding a Masters Degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Drexel University. She is the founder of Artful Explorations Therapy, an art therapy and counseling center for kids, teens, families, and adults located in Philadelphia’s Society Hill neighborhood.
Kristen meets clients where they are and helps them engage in the creative process of making art as a way to express themselves, increase insight, spark change, make connections, and develop problem solving skills. Fostering a positive therapeutic relationship and a supportive space for communication and growth is an important part of her approach with everyone she works with. Throughout her career, clients have come to her for support in navigating through a range of issues and experiences including: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, autism, depression, adjustments, divorce, grief/loss, and emotion dysregulation. She has over a decade of experience working with children and youth of all ages in a variety of outpatient and school-based settings, and with adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition to her clinical work, Kristen offers post-graduate ATR and LPC supervision for therapists.
She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association (PAATA), serving as the Archivist on the PAATA Board of Directors.
Kristen also holds a BFA from The University of the Arts with a degree in Graphic Design and Book Arts, and has taught bookmaking workshops and classes for children and adults. Her bookmaking experience has influenced her work as an art therapist as she has guided clients to explore the narratives and symbolism in the images they create, and to tell stories through sequences of images that help bring about healthy change in their emotional landscapes.
Student Representatives
Temple University
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.
Cedar Crest College
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.
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PennWest University
Marissa Georgiou Marissa Georgiou is an artist and educator with extensive experience in arts administration and academic counseling. A lifelong learner, Marissa is now studying to become an Art Therapist through the Masters in Counseling program at Pennsylvania Western University. Following several years of experience working with groups, individuals, and families as an Academic Counselor, Marissa is now working on a volunteer basis in human services. As an intern with PEACE, a Community based outpatient program for treatment of First-Episode Psychosis, Marissa provides counseling for individuals and groups. Additionally, Marissa curates and facilitates Mindfulness Monday and Fiber Arts Friday Virtual Studios through Pennsylvania Western University. Recognized as a student leader, Marissa was recently selected to act as a Student Representative with the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association. |
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Seton Hill University
Piña Huitzil Piña Huitzil enlisted in the Marine Corps and served on Active Duty from 2013-2017. In 2020, he went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ majoring in psychology. Piña is currently a second-year student at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA pursuing his master's degree in art therapy with a specialization in counseling. Piña has an interest in helping the veteran and Latin American community. In his free time, he enjoys reading comics, practicing Muay Thai, trying new foods in different restaurants, and playing board games with friends and family. |
Mercyhurst University
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.
No representative was nominated for 2023-2024 academic year.