Sunday April 25, 2021 9:00am-12:00pm *Included in the All Access Pass*
Click Here to Register Resilience through Art: Family Albums as Agents of Healing, Empowerment, and Revival Presented by: Mariya Keselman-Mekler, MA, ATR-BC, LPC This multifaceted workshop will introduce participants to the use of art therapy, family photographs, and Person-Centered Trauma-Informed (PCTI) approach when working with individuals who experience trauma. Integration of creative process with a group of Holocaust Survivors will be explored as a tool to de-stigmatize mental health treatment and promote healing. Trauma stems from “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019). Cultural trauma impacts members of a collective group when they “feel they have been subjected to a horrendous event that leaves indelible marks upon their group consciousness… changing their future identity in fundamental and irrevocable ways” (Alexander et. al., 2004, p.1). Genocide, such as the Holocaust, is an example of cultural trauma that disrupts cultural homeostasis, values, identity, and sense of belonging (Wolf, 2018). The transformative aspect of art and its use as a vehicle for resilience has been discussed for decades (Keselman, 2019). Friedl Dicker-Brandeis, an artist sent to the Terezin concentration camp during the Holocaust, found a way to introduce art to children in the camp as a way to help them express themselves, find freedom within oppressive environment, and communicate their hopes and fears (Makarova, 2001). Miriam Katin, a graphic artist, who was a toddler during the Holocaust, was able to utilize the creative process to reflect on her past, get a different perspective, reframe her experience, and “draw herself out of [the hurt]” (Oostijk, 2018, p. 84). Art therapy has been proposed as a useful tool for targeting somatic aspects of traumatic memory integrating the left and right hemispheres of the brain (Talwar, 2007). It allows participants to tap into the primary processing of trauma in addition to the secondary processing available to them through talk therapy (Talwar, 2007). Although there are few studies on the impact of art therapy or art-making in general on resilience in Holocaust Survivors (HS), researchers studying this topic demonstrate the correlation between creativity/inclination to art, and resiliency (Diamond & Shrira, 2018). Diamond and Shira’s (2018) study with groups of older adults, including Holocaust Survivors, suggests that engagement in art increases resilience and allows for “more positive coping with long-term effect of the Holocaust” (p. 241). This workshop will be divided into three phases which will include: 1) interactive information session (including demonstration of client artwork); 2) visual elicitation and art-making process; 3) brainstorming phase for further integration of family albums as an intervention with participants’ client populations. In the first part of the workshop, participants will learn about a wellness program developed to address the unmet needs of Holocaust Survivors (HS) from the Former Soviet Union (FSU). Workshop participants will learn about ways in which art therapy was introduced in a community where receiving mental health services was stigmatized; they will learn about the structure of utilizing the work on family albums as an intervention; and will be introduced to case studies, and client artwork. This will be followed by participants engaging in response art based on client artwork, and engaging in their own art process, reflecting on their family story: family photographs, what they would include, and most importantly what they would leave out if they were to create their own family albums. Bringing their family photographs to elicit visual and verbal response will be optional/ suggested. Participants will then be guided to engage in the art-process to respond to their own feelings about their family story. In the third and final phase of the workshop, participants will be invited to engage in individual reflection and group processing/brainstorming session, to come up with ways they can utilize family albums in their work with their respective populations.
Objectives: Participants will learn ways in which family albums were used to promote healing and empowerment in working with Holocaust Survivors from the Former Soviet Union Participants will use themselves as tools to explore impacts of their own family history on their work with clients, allowing them to be more sensitive when engaging in similar work Participants will learn ways to adapt creation of a family album as a treatment intervention for their own client populations. Recommended Art Materials: - Drawing paper - 2D drawing materials.
*The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association will not issue refunds for any events.* *You must be a PAATA Member at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Member rate.* *You must be a Student at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Student rate.*
The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6847. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 hours of Continuing Education clock hours are available for this program. Partial credits are not available.
Saturday May 1, 2021 10:00am-12:00pm *Included in the All Access Pass*
Click Here to Register. Psychological and Psychophysiological Treatment of Common and Posttraumatic Nightmares:Theoretical Conceptualizations and Empirical Finding Presented by: Michah Sadigh, PhD In this lecture, we will explore the psychobiology of common and posttraumatic nightmares and discuss their treatments from psychological, psychophysiological, and psychopharmacological perspectives. We will also explore a detailed classification of nightmares, their etiology and treatment. The exploration of frightening dreams reaches back to antiquity. With the advent of psychoanalysis, new perspectives on the nature of these types of dreams emerged particularly in the 1930’s and 40’s. In was not until the 1970’s when we began to have a better appreciation for the psychobiology and neurochemistry of nightmares. In this lecture we will demonstrate that there are, indeed, a number of different forms of nightmares that can emerge from a variety of psychological and existential experiences, whose understanding can bring on significant improvement in patients over all well-being and functioning. Posttraumatic nightmare, however, have a distinctively different psychology and psychobiology and may be resistant to common psychological and psychopharmacological treatments. We will explore a psychophysiological approach that has shown promise in their successful treatment.
Objectives Upon the completion of this lecture, participants will be able to: 1. Explain the basic historical foundation of the study of nightmares 2. Make a distinction between common and posttraumatic nightmares 3. Explain the mechanisms behind the successful treatment of nightmares by means of psychophysiological and psychopharmacological treatments
*The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association will not issue refunds for any events.* *You must be a PAATA Member at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Member rate.* *You must be a Student at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Student rate.*
The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6847. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 2 hours of Continuing Education clock hours are available for this program. Partial credits are not available.
Career Day May 23, 2021 10:00am-1:00pm
Click HERE to Register! The Art Therapist’s Journey From Graduation to Credentialing: Professional Developmental Crisis Presented by Dani Moss, DAT, ATR-BC, LPC, ATCS, NCC
Overview: The presenter will screen a 13-minute, illustrated video fable, an arts-based outcome of the lived experiences of professional art therapists who recently obtained their ATR-BC credential. The presenter will discuss and normalize themes and challenges for art therapists working on their credentials.
Objectives:
Participants will identify 3 themes of professional identity developmental for new art therapists.
Participants will identify 3 challenges of professional identity developmental for new art therapists.
Participants will recognize 3 success factors that can support new art therapists in the workplace and on their journey to credentialing that are both unique to art therapists and new helping professionals and graduates in general.
Biography: Dani Moss, DAT, ATR-BC, LPC, ATCS, NCC is assistant professor of graduate art therapy at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She has diverse clinical and art therapy program development experience; most of her work having been children and their families.Inspired by her own journey toward credentialing, Dani designed her doctoral research with the purpose of normalizing the journey between graduation from art therapy training to obtaining the Art Therapist Registered and Board-Certified credential, the ATR-BC. She identified what she calls the professional developmental crisis and created a teaching fable to help new art therapists and other stakeholders discuss and normalize the journey.
*This event is not eligible for CE clock hours*
Sunday June 27, 2021 9:00am-12:00pm *Included in the All Access Pass*
Click Here to Register. Co-Leadership, Creativity & Client Attunement Presented by: Stephanie Wise, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LCAT and Emily Nash, LCAT In this workshop, the benefits of co-leading trauma group is explored through the lens of creative engagement. Achieving attunement is vital to potentiate client healing while simultaneously inoculating therapists’ from the cumulative exposure to traumatic material. This workshop addresses ways to creatively maximize overall attunement. In her seminal book, Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman reminds us that “Just as no trauma survivor can recover alone, no therapist can work with trauma alone.” (Herman, 1992, p. 141). While it is simple to dismiss the idea of having two therapists co-lead trauma groups as too costly and possibly redundant, experience has shown otherwise. Wise and Nash have written a book, Healing Trauma in Group Settings – The Art of Co-leader Attunement, (2020) which directly refutes the notion of cost and redundancy as obstacles and instead takes the position that therapists cannot afford to not work together for the benefit of clients, as well as the welfare of the therapists immersed in working with such toxic material. In trauma group settings, there exist distinct advantages in having two therapists, co-leaders, facilitating the healing work. (Wise & Nash, 2020, p.3). Management of the complexities of personalities, trauma issues and demands placed upon the therapists within the holding environment is enhanced through the complementary engagement of two therapists who are well-attuned to each other. Multi-directional attunement between group members and therapists helps promote potential healing and personal growth through modeling, division of attention and other curative options. (Wise & Nash, 2020, p. 25). Yalom has stated, “How co-therapy goes, so will the group.” (Yalom, 2005, p.446). How two professionals interact with each other in service to their cooperative work with those they serve is an area often relegated to a few short sessions early in training instead of part of the ongoing therapeutic equation deserving deeper attention and exploration. Alongside developing the relational components necessary for maximizing effectively working with trauma clients is the need for demonstrated reciprocal attunement between therapists. Client who witness and experience this kind of interpersonal safety may begin to experience healing on many levels. Attention to the development of trust within the therapist team is essential to the development of attunement between partners. Trust and attunement are sustained by the presence and practice of three core values: relational congruence, mutual respect and an integrated vision. Developing, sustaining and enhancing, intra/inter-therapeutic attunement while utilizing traditional psychotherapeutic and creative arts processes ultimately benefit clients and help inoculate therapists from the presence of traumatic material ever present in the work. (Wise & Nash, 2020, p.4-12) Before we can be of service to others, we need to understand ourselves and our relationship to our work, clients, colleagues and community. We may be very knowledgeable and have wonderful intentions – but are we able to deeply connect and be present in meaningful ways? No matter what the theoretical stance, how do we understand the meaning and function of therapeutic presence as a healing force for our clients? Nash and Wise, TAAM Workshop, 2013) Therapists working together are not naturally attuned. Attunement is developed in a number of ways including, ideally, over time - but time alone does not guarantee such relational connection. Preparation for being an effective and attuned therapist begins with one’s self and generates outwardly to our partners. Through engagement with the arts and conversation, therapists can develop trust within the professional dyad. Ultimately, what drives this process is the understanding that the co-leader dyad is in actuality, a therapeutic entity unto itself defining such issues as safety and transformation of traumatic material. (Wise & Nash, 2020, p.5)
Learning Objectives 1. Participants will be able to list the three core values necessary for attaining an attuned co-leader relationship. 2. Participants will be able to name 4 creative arts exercises specifically designed to enhance co-leader attunement. 3. Participants will be able to define multi-directional attunement between clients and therapists within the group setting.
*The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association will not issue refunds for any events.* *You must be a PAATA Member at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Member rate.* *You must be a Student at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Student rate.*
The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6847. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 hours of Continuing Education clock hours are available for this program. Partial credits are not available.
Saturday August 28, 2021 9:00am-12:00pm *Included in the All Access Pass*
Click Here to Register. Art Therapy and the Museum Experience: Sharing Language, Hope and Healing Presented by: Denise R. Wolf MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC and Kathryn Snyder, ATR-BC, LPC In fulfillment of the Ron E. Hays Presenter’s Award This workshop explores the connection between provocative imagery in museum collections and collaboration with art therapists, leading to transformative discussions and artmaking around difficult topics. Experiential learning includes a discussion of images that are potentially among the most provocative, and development of related artmaking that support creative and personal development.
Learning Objectives 1. Participants will learn 3 ways that artwork in a museum collection can evoke strong feelings in audience members and can be a catalyst for dialogue with museum educators. 2. Participants will identify 4 ways that art therapists can work with museum educators to support positive communication and emotional coping when dealing with tough topics in the museum and art education classroom. 3. Participants will design 5 unique art tools and techniques for working with 5 different provocative topics and images for use in the community and in art therapy sessions.
*The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association will not issue refunds for any events.* *You must be a PAATA Member at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Member rate.* *You must be a Student at the time of the event in order to be eligible for tickets at the Student rate.*
The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6847. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 hours of Continuing Education clock hours are available for this program. Partial credits are not available.
Please Note: *The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association does not issue refunds for events.* *The information provided in PAATA events is the express opinion of the presenter, and is not an endorsement by PAATA.* *Your participation in any PAATA programming indicates your permission for PAATA to photograph your work or likeness for use in promotional material unless you provide us with written revocation of this permission.* *The PAATA is not responsible for disruptions in event access due to problems with attendee equipment, internet connection, etc.* *Recording of events by attendees is prohibited.*