FSU Presentations at the 46th Annual American Art Therapy Association Conference

The FSU Art Therapy Program was a strong presence at this year’s American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Conference. Faculty and student presentations stood out among the many impressive presentations this year. We would like to particularly recognize presentations by:

Dave Gussak

Professor of Art Therapy & Chairperson of FSU Department of Art Education, PhD

Dave Gussak, Professor of Art Therapy & Chairperson of FSU Department of Art Education

• Bridging Art Therapy & Forensic Communities: Peering Through a Fragmented Lens
  • This paper focused upon Dr. Gussak’s research and experience as an art therapist to examine the challenges of offering art therapy in non-therapeutic environments. Discussion also focused upon successful collaboration and negotiation with non-clinical professionals.
• Art Therapy and Forensics
  • The continuum between forensic art therapy and art therapy in a forensic setting was explored during this masters supervision group. Dr. Gussak drew from his personal experience as an expert witness in two murder trials as well as his research on art therapy in forensic settings.

Marcia Rosal

Professor & Director of FSU Art Therapy Program, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM AATA

Marcia Rosal, Professor & Director of FSU Art Therapy Program

• Assessing Student Performance: Evaluation, Remediation, and Dismissal Policies in Art Therapy Education – in partnership with Cheryl Shiflett, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, Mary Roberts, EdS, ATR-BC, LPC, Heidi Bardot, MA, ATR-BC, Simone Alter-Muri, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LMHC, and Lori Mackey, DAT, ATR-BC, LPC, CCLS
  • Program Directors co-led a panel to discuss professional performance evaluations for graduate students. Existing assessment policies and procedures, evaluation criteria, and challenging cases were explored.

• Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy and Mindfulness Based Art Therapy – in partnership with Patricia Isis, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LMHC
  • Dr. Rosal and Dr. Isis led a discussion about the similarities between cognitive behavioral art therapy (CBAT) and mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT). The speakers drew from theoretical bases and case material to dispel the common misconception that these two approaches are on opposites ends of the treatment spectrum.

Carolyn Brown Treadon

 Adjunct Professor of Art Therapy, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS

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  Carolyn Brown Treadon, Adjunct Professor of Art Therapy, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS

  Creating a Bridge Between Graduate Students and Adjunct Faculty – in partnership with Mary Ellen McAlevey, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC, ACS

  • Discussion focused on the relationship between adjunct faculty and their students. The difficult social and logistical adjustments to graduate programs combined with the limited availability and contact with adjunct faculty can strain the relationship formation. Both adjunct professors shared strategies and insights on remaining connected to students and balancing the needs of students with professorial expectations.
• Art Therapy with Young Children
  • Dr. Treadon lead a supervision group for professionals working with young children. Participants engaged in discussion about the successes, difficulties, and techniques for engaging young children in the therapy process.

Meredith McMackin

Meredith McMackin, FSU Art Therapy PhD Candidate

 PhD Art Therapy candidate, MAT, MFA

• Art, Transformation, and Trauma: Papermaking as Art Therapy Panel – in partnership with Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC, CTC-S, Genevieve Camp, MA, ATR-BC, LMHC, Rachel Mims, MS, Janice Havlena, MA, ATR-BC, and Amy Bucciarelli, MS, ATR-BC, LMHC
  • This panel featured art therapists who use papermaking for social action, based upon the arts mission of Peace Paper. Case vignettes involving eating disorder recovery, management of illness or disability, grief, and work with veterans.

Lorelei Voronin

M.S. Art Therapy candidate

Lorelei Voronin, MS Art Therapy Candidate, & Chelsea Plotner, FSU MS Art Therapy Graduate

• Military Dependent Children: Art Therapy in a Summer Camp Setting – in partnership with Chelsea Plotner, MS
  • This presentation focused upon the creation of a successful therapeutic summer arts camp servicing children of military dependents. The presentation included personal and theoretical insight on the emotional coping skills, needs, and resiliency of family and children of military veterans.