Elizabeth Beck

So…I’m back from the AATA conference in Cleveland, and I was thoroughly impressed with the excellent key note speaker we had, Dr. Bruce Perry. He was so inspiring and very much in tune with what us art therapists are up to- to the point that he’s even developed his own way of charting and evaluating for the developmental level of an individual (something that Art Therapists can do through assessing the artwork of a client). I also picked up his book The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog. I’m only about 50 pages into it, but I can tell that its a great read for those of us who work with (or are interested in working with) traumatized individuals. It also very much parallels his key note address, so if you missed the conference, you can get the gist of what was discussed.

I also took some fabulous workshops that were full of excellent ideas and theory. One of my favorites was the day long workshop I took with Lucille Proulx, who worked for many years at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and was the president of the Quebec Association of Art Therapists. She specializes in attachment issues between parents and children, and helps to facilitate normal attachment through art therapy group work with moms, dads and their kids. I haven’t checked out the book yet, but its supposed to incorporate the theory and directives she discussed throughout her workshop. It should be an excellent resource. Although I don’t work with families, many of the directives that she’s created have the potential to work well the with the population I do work with- Adults who are developmentally disabled and who have an Axis I diagnosis as well.

I also very much enjoyed the seminar on Contemporary Issues in Art Therapy, Psychoanalysis and Children. Some of who I would consider masters of the profession (i.e., Judith Rubin) participated in a case presentation that had the air of supervision. They said that this is a regular seminar that they’ve been hosting for the past 5 years, and hopefully they’ll do it again in Dallas.

For those of you who are interested in CyberTherapy:

The Interactive Media Institute, APA approved for offering continuing education for psychologists, is currently organizing the 14th annual CyberTherapy and CyberPsychology Conference in 2009. They are currently taking submissions for posters, oral presentions and symposiums. The conference will take place on June 21-23, 2009, at VILLA CARAMORA, an historical dwelling located on the Lago Maggiore, Verbania-Intra, Italy.

Here’s an excerpt from their Themes and Topics page:

The 14th Annual CyberTherapy and CyberPsychology Conference
brings together researchers, clinicians, funders and policy makers to share and discuss the growing disciplines of CyberTherapy and CyberPsychology.

The conference will seek input from a wider segment of the scientific community, and is interested in attracting experts in clinical therapy and rehabilitation, cognitive sciences, social sciences, and computer sciences interested in the meeting’s core topics: emerging applications of new media, design of new media and effects of new media.

Conference attendees have the opportunity to play a role in designing the future of cyberpsychology and health care.

This sounds like it could be an amazing opportunity to learn, or perhaps even present. If you check this page out further, you’ll notice the wide range of topics they are interested in addressing during this conference. I’d love to go….and its in Italy!

This year’s American Art Therapy Association conference (coming up next week!) places a heavy emphasis on neurological understanding. Each year there is so much new research, information and discoveries, making it hard to keep up with current understanding on this topic. If you’d like to brush up on your understanding of neurological development, mechanisms, anatomy, as well as the impact of new research on philosophical questions, check out this podcast by Ginger Campbell MD.

The podcast is impressively clear- especially if you start from the beginning and continue in consecutive order, since explanations are always provided in the current or previous episodes, preparing the listener for more advanced topics. It does help to have some basic knowledge of the brain before you begin, although I’m sure if you’re willing to look certain things up (ie: a picture of a neuron and its parts) it will make the information easier to understand.

Here are some topics I enjoyed listening to so far (I haven’t gotten through them all): #4- The Great Brain Debate- Nature vs. Nurture, #11- Emotions, #12 Memory, and #13 Unconscious Decisions.

Here’s another workshop offered by Creative Pier in NYC.

Wednesday November 19th
6:30 PM- 9:00PM
with Routa Segal
Creative Pier-833 Broadway, 3rd Floor New York,NY

Express your thanks for all the good things in life and create a hand-made gift that comes from your heart. Celebrate every person and every thing that brings abundance and joy. Draw, write, paint or collage and create an artwork that expresses your gratitude–a thank you card, a jewelry box, a bracelet, a picture frame or any other item that you would like to create for yourself or someone else.

Space is limited to 16 people, please rsvp by November 18th. $25, all art materials are included. rsvp@creativepier.com

This month’s workshop at Creative Pier in NYC is Giving Art: Magic Seed.

Here’s a quote from Martha about this workshop:

In this workshop we will create art by visualizing what may grow out of a ‘magic seed’ by drawing, painting or collaging the many of life-affirming possibilities.

Come anytime during the workshop and create as much as you like. The artworks will be sent to patients diagnosed with cancer, whose hopes for healing will be supported by your good will.

$35, Art Materials are included and 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Gilda’s Club, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

I dont know how I didn’t come across it before, but Cathy Malchiodi ATR-BC, LPC and Certified Trauma Specialist not only has a website, but she has a blog too.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with her work, Cathy has written several books relating to art therapy such as art therapy and children’s drawings, art therapy and trauma, art therapy in a medical setting, as well as computer technology and art therapy.

Cathy is a prolific writer with experience in many different areas. She’s an example of what I want to be when I grow up.

Martha Mysko from Creative Pier recently introduced me to some of the current workshops being offered at her facility, which is located in New York City.

Creative Pier is a studio space as well as an art gallery, and they offer regular classes, workshops and events. Their purpose is to promote art making as a way to explore the self, raise self esteem, and make connections with others.

Here’s some of the upcoming events:

Giving Art: Prayer Flags
Thursday, September 25th
6 PM - 9 PM

Take an opportunity to learn new ways of making art and to expand your creativity, while expressing kindness and sharing it with those in need. In this workshop we will create prayer flags, whose origins come from Tibet where the flags are made to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.

Every prayer flag made in this workshop will be sent to a patient diagnosed with cancer, whose hopes for healing will be supported by your good will.
The intent of this workshop is to welcome positive life changes and to acknowledge that all beings are part of a greater cause.

$35 to participate. Art materials are included. 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Gilda’s Club, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Art for Bliss Sake
Begins Wednesday, October 1st
6 sessions
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
$285/6 sessions or $50/1 session
Unlock the key to your creativity and find your unique voice!

Explore and expand your creative expression in a mixed media workshop, using collage, drawing, sculpting and writing. Liberate your creative potential from any censoring by focusing on the process rather than the product, and experience the delight of authentic self-expression and personal exploration.

Judy de Zanger, author of the Tao of Creativity, invites beginners as well as practicing artists to play and experiment with a variety of materials and processes, discovering and enjoying the creative spirit within.

Please check out the Creative Pier website for registration details and info on upcoming events, workshops and classes.

For those of you who are interested, the registration is open for the AATA (American Art Therapy Association) conference this year. Its from November 19-23 in Cleveland. The keynote speaker, Dr. Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D. discuss “the topic of how art therapy can have an impact on the healing, recovery and restoration of healthy functions of the brain of a child who’s been through trauma and neglect” (AATA conference website).

I’ll be there…will you?