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Look Back… Media & Technology 1968

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC
It was a pleasure and honor to celebrate the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI)’s 50th Anniversary with an invitation to speak at the Institute’s special gala event held this week. The TATI, founded in 1968, was the first art therapy training program in Canada established by Dr. Martin Fischer, one of the early pioneers in the field.

The evening offered a look back at the TATI’s great history and legacy of art therapy in Canada, as well as an opportunity to give attention to its active presence of faculty, alumni, site supervisors, and students, as well as what the future of the art therapy field holds ahead. This also included looking at the impact of technology on the art therapist, especially in the last 20 years for connection, community, and creativity.

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So what was the media and technology like/starting to emerge in 1968 when TATI was founded?  Here is a fun look back:

  • Color television was just starting to become more conventional in use and the first live, network transmission of video took place (a view inside an orbiting U.S. space capsule).  Now television includes an endless amount of channels and programs for the viewer — through real time and recorded network broadcasting, live streaming, breaking news, DVR recording, Netflix watching, and on the Internet, our mobile devices, and without the use of the conventional television set .

  • Music in 1968 could be played on an 8 track, which was considered the portable format for this time. Video tapes, such as Beta or VHS would not be available until the 1970s.  Now, music and video have become digitized and very portable in the form of MP3s, media sharing and online content communities, YouTube, Vimeo, Pandora, Spotify, Soundcloud, and podcasts are easily accessible through our computers and mobile devices.

  • Computers. Back in 1968, the “Nova” computer which only had 32 kilobytes of memory (!) sold for $8,000.   The computer that navigated the lunar module to the moon was introduced in 1968. Hewlett-Packard (HP) started promoting the first desktop computer this year too. The Internet as we now know it was very much undefined, but the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) was starting to be developed in the early 1960s, which became the technical beginnings of the World Wide Web and Internet.  ARPANET published its first program plan and made its first network transmission the following year.  50 years later computers are less expensive, hold lots and lots of memory in miniature form, and is widely used by the masses (not just researchers, scientists, and academics) everyday, everywhere, anytime. The Internet (and now Wi-Fi too) instantly connects us to endless sites, networks, people, places, news, apps, experiences, and more all around the world.

Art therapists now live in a world of glocality (where the local and global co-exist!)  where we can easily connect to and virtually engage with our colleagues, beyond our local, regional, and national surroundings.  Platforms and programs like Skype, Zoom Facebook Live, What’s App, and more allow us to communicate and interact with one another.  The benefits of this connection are many- such as but not limited to:

  • Decreases isolation
  • Provides relational support
  • Obtain and exchange resources
  • Collegial engagement
  • Professional belonging
  • Creates opportunities for advocacy and awareness

The Internet has also held the concept of community as an important value to its early activity. Online resources and virtual spaces for art therapists were already surfacing in the mid 1990s, 15 years before social media really became widely embraced and used.  For example, Toronto art therapist, TATI alumna and faculty member Petrea Hansen-Adamidis created Art Therapy in Canada in 1996, the very first online web resource and forum in Canada. Learn more about Petrea’s experience and pioneering efforts with technology in this Art Therapists on the Grid interview here.

Online virtual communities can help art therapists:

  • Share and exchange information
  • Learn from one another
  • Create a sense of belonging
  • Strengthen professional identity

In addition, we can also keep strengthening our global digital citizenship as art therapists. We can enhance our understanding about the societal impact of living in a world without geographical boundaries due to technology and our use of social media.

This awareness first includes an individual understanding about how our personal and professional conduct online can impact the profession’s global digital footprint and art therapy’s international integrity. Having respect for the self, others, and what we access or engage with online deserves attention. Choosing to engage in online environments with empathy, compassion, generosity, and benevolence acknowledges the powerful influence our connections and interactions have on overall well-being, relationships, and creating community.  It also recognizes how we as art therapists have a valuable role in helping create a better digital world through our online presence and example.

Thank you to TATI for the opportunity to celebrate their historic milestone and include a little bit about technology and how it connects us all together, not just now but will continue to in the future. The media, programs, methods, and ways art therapists use technology will keep changing, developing, and offer new possibilities beyond our imagination for the future of the field… Also exciting to keep watching is how art therapists and future art therapists keep contributing to this digital landscape!

Congrats to TATI on their 50th year and here’s to 50+ more! 🙂

Social Media Day 2018

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

Today officially marks Social Media Day- a day of recognition founded by Mashable in 2010 as an opportunity to celebrate the worldwide power and influence social media has had on our lives.

 

Throughout this year art therapists and art therapy students have engaged in social media workshops inspired by The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media. One of the fun areas explored through discussion and art making includes exploring digital ecosystems with social networking, including thinking back on the first social media sites used, in what ways, and where we were in life at this time.  Also explored are the challenges, anxieties, enthusiasm, and possibilities experienced- personally, professionally, and creatively. What do you remember about your social media engagement back in the “early days” or when you created your first social media account?

The impact of social media over the last decade on the field of art therapy has certainly been tremendous— and with today’s celebration of social media, below is a round up reflection of posts and resources inspired by the love of social media for an art therapist’s connection, community, and creativity! This list includes art therapy online groups, blogs, videos, links, and information for art therapists about social media, professional practice, and ways to learn more about navigating or strengthening our connection within this digital landscape:

Also in celebration of Social Media Day, you are invited to share below any social media memories you have as an art therapist or how social media has impacted your connection, community, or creativity in the art therapy community- 🙂 Up to five responses will be randomly chosen at the end of this week-end (Sunday, July 1, 5 pm EST/US) to receive a free Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media sticker sheet!  Happy Social Media Day!

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The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media Sticker Sheets!

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

STICKER SHEETS!

8 x 11 inch UV coated white vinyl multi-sticker sheet of 6 different designs inspired by The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media. A fun way to show your love of art therapy, use of social media, connection, community, and creativity!

Designed by the book’s Illustrator Nate Fehlauer of Wiscy Jones Creative:

BookStickerSheet(Front)

8-x-11-White-Vinyl-Sticker-Sheets Liner (Back Liner)

$5.00 USD  (includes US shipping)

Please note: If interested in international shipping, please email info@arttherapistsguidetosocialmedia.com for more information.

Buy Now

A collection of sticker sightings as seen on Instagram!

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Spring 2018 Events

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

There are a couple of events taking place this spring inspired by The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media:

On the campus of Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania on Monday, April 16 I will be presenting a free community lecture sponsored by the school’s undergraduate art therapy program. The evening event (6-7:30 pm) also includes 1.5 free continuing education credits (CEU sign in and registration 5:15-6 pm) available for ATR-BCs, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.

Social Media: Connection, Community, and Creativity will explore how social media can enhance and strengthen professional engagement, collegial relationships, and creative practice. Discover how, as mental health professionals we can take a meaningful look at some of the challenges and benefits that social media can have on the clients we serve, the therapeutic relationship, and how to best navigate social media with purpose and responsibility in our own use. The significance and value of digital community for professionals will also be explored and its role in building knowledge, cultivating collegiate relationships and exchange, support, and professional identity. Finally, the role of how social media sites can also support creative drive, artist identity, and enthusiasm for art making and art-based endeavors will be presented. Meet the author and book signing to follow the event.

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This all day workshop on Saturday, April 28 is presented by the New York Art Therapy Association and will be held on the campus of New York University in New York City and includes 6 ethics of continuing education for ATR-BCs and LCATs (and for less than $100!).

The morning program, Bridging Social Media’s Digital Divide: Navigating Ethical Considerations as Art Therapists will be a didactic presentation looking at some of the challenges and benefits that social media can have on the clients we serve, the therapeutic relationship, and how to best navigate social media as an art therapist with purpose and ethical responsibility in our own use. Content will explore the role and influence social media can have on our lives and work, both negative and positive , as well as the challenges art therapists may face in their social media use related to privacy and  boundaries. Practical suggestions to help minimize potential risks will be also be presented, including strategies to help empower an art therapist’s digital presence with professional responsibility.

The afternoon program, Empowering Our Digital Presence: Art Therapists and Social Media Workshop explores how art therapists can empower their digital presence online with mindful attention to digital boundaries, ones digital footprint, and the ways we navigate social media personally, professionally, and creatively. Attendees will use art making to discover and learn more about these digital landscapes, the challenges art therapists can face, and ways we can leverage social media and ethical frameworks to promote our professional interests, values, and work.

An author Q&A and book signing will follow the event.  To register, visit this link.

Looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues from the art therapy community, as well as anyone interested in the event topics at both of these offerings!

An Art Therapist’s New Year Checklist for Social Media

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

This time of year can motivate us to make changes, embark on new things, and set goals we want to accomplish both personally and professionally. It is also a good time to try and start new practices and routines that will be of benefit to our wellbeing, relationships, work, and daily life in the year ahead.  This post inspired by topics in The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media, offers some to-do’s that art therapists to-be and art therapists can revisit, learn more about, or begin implementing related to professional social media use and online activity for the year ahead.

An Art Therapist’s New Year Checklist for Social Media:

☐ Take time to check your privacy settings on your social media profiles and sites. Remember to maintain awareness and management throughout the year;

☐ Find out about and review any social media policies or considerations that have been instituted at your university, workplace, and the communities or programs you are part of;

☐ Google your name to be aware of what content is available about you online. These results are also what others are viewing when they google or do an Internet search for you;

☐ Keep your LinkedIn profile updated;

☐ Be aware of your “Three Degrees of Influence”;

☐ Keep client content (art expressions, interactions, conversations- both negative, positive, and even when not using identifying information) off your personal social media networks of friends and family. When sharing online in professional or educational forums, protect identifying information, obtain consent, and consider the intention;

☐ If you are an art therapist in private practice or own an art therapy business, consider creating a social media policy to use with your clients;

☐ Strengthen your resources and understanding of digital social responsibility as a clinician;

☐ Remember to pause before you post online. Mindfully think about your post’s possible impact and influence, not just in relationship to your work as an art therapist, but also as a representative of the profession at-large. We are all ambassadors of art therapy on and offline;

☐ If you are an art therapy blogger, draft a one year editorial calendar to plan possible topics, content, and consistent scheduling;

☐ Practice and model global digital citizenship;

☐ Use social media to discover/learn a new art technique, media, artist, or creative inspiration;

☐ Identify and develop a social media sharing and delivery strategy that empowers your professional self, values, and work;

☐ Take an inventory of your digital assets. How you can leverage or enhance existing resources to promote and bring education to your work, art therapy, the populations you serve, and its benefits? Are there digital assets would you like to develop this year?

☐ Become aware of your digital footprint as you use the Internet and share online.

Taking on the above checklist can empower us as art therapists to take ownership of our digital presence, activity, and choices we make (or don’t make) online.  Smart practices to start and integrate!

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Acknowledgments

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

As 2017 comes to a close, thanks to everyone who was part of making The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media lots of fun to launch this year! Gratitude to everyone who helped, contributed to, and supported this labor of love. From Routledge, contributors, readers, friends, family to colleagues from the art therapy community and more- Thank you!   Looking forward to some book inspired happenings in 2018!

Author’s Acknowledgments (pp. xxii-xxiii):

First and foremost, I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the teachers and mentors that have guided and supported my development – personally and professionally. This book is a labor of love, truly manifested by 20 years of connection, community, and creativity I have experienced within the art therapy field related to technology. This book could not have become a reality without the contributions and inspirations of so many on and offline. A special thank you to peers and colleagues from the Art Therapy Alliance and 6 Degrees of Creativity communities- two of my digital tribes, as well as Ohio’s Buckeye Art Therapy Association and the American Art Therapy Association for supporting my interests in using technology to promote art therapy. To the numerous art therapists and other artists from all around the world that I have had the pleasure to connect with through social media: on networks, various art exchanges, collaborations, groups, and creative adventures that we have experienced together – your motivation, enthusiasm, and creative goodness is something I hold sacred and value. My deep appreciation goes to Dr. Jordan Potash for his invaluable help throughout my entire writing and editing process, as well as ongoing encouragement from my colleagues in the Counseling & Art Therapy Program at Ursuline College. In addition, I want to extend an expression of heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lynn Kapitan for contributing this book’s inspiring foreword. I am grateful as well for the amazing graphic design skills of Nate Fehlauer of Wiscy Jones Creative who did a wonderful job with the book’s illustrations. Thanks to the editorial and production staff at Routledge, especially to then commissioning editor Christopher Teja who patiently recruited me to write this book, editor Elizabeth Graber, and editorial assistant Nina Guttapalle who were vital in assisting me throughout this new experience and journey. Of course, the most notable acknowledgement of thanks and love goes to my incredible partner Kevin King, my family, and friends who have always unconditionally supported all my art therapy endeavors and service within this remarkable profession.

A recognition of gratitude to the following global group of friends, art therapists and artists who generously contributed their art for this book or shared their experiences and insights:

Joni Becker, Diane Fleisch Hughes, Sze-Chin Lee, Dr. David Gussak, Carla Lopez, Dr. Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña, Dr. Gussie Klorer, Yu-Chu Wang, Carolyn Mehlomakulu, Molly K. Kometiani, Andrea Davis, Victoria Scarborough, Jen Berlingo, Kelly Darke, Dr. Gioia Chilton, Dr. James Nolan, Dr. Jordan Potash, Mónika Király, Jeanette Chan, Katarina Thorsen, Fredrik Thorsen, Theresa Zip, Jolie Buchanan, Bonnie Sailer, Janeane Grisez, Jade Herriman, Misty Ramos Saviano, Kat Michel, Dr. Savneet Talwar, Kristy Anatol, Kelley Luckett, Natalie Coriell, Lisa Mitchell, Dr. Donna Betts, Michela Baretti, Tia Pleiman, Rachel Mims, Lizzie Bellotto, Lisa Miller, Melissa Hladek, Nancy Lautenbach, Amity K. Miller, Eva Miller, Lisa Fam, Debbie Anderson, Petrea Hansen-Adamidis, Dr. Lani Gerity, and Dr. Natalie Carlton.

Special thanks to Dr. Donna Betts, Dr. Penelope Orr, and Dr. Judith Rubin for their book reviews and endorsements.

2018 Online Book Discussion Group

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

Coming in 2018: An online Facebook book discussion group for readers of The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media!  An opportunity for art therapists, art therapy students, and other interested readers to dialogue weekly about each chapter of the book.  A great way to spend the cold, winter months at the warm keyboard of your tablet, mobile device, or desktop!  So get your copy ready to join the group (any or all!) beginning January through March 2018 every Sunday 5:00-6:30 pm EST. Tell your colleagues, classmates, students, and friends (off and online!).  Sign up here through the site’s contact form if you are interested in a group invitation to participate!

Tentative Schedule:

  • January 7

Chapter 1: Introduction to Social Networking and Social Media

  • January 14

Chapter 2: The Challenges and Benefits of Social Networking

  • January 21

Chapter 3: Social Media, Art Therapy, and Professionalism

  • January 28

Chapter 4: The Value of Digital Community for Art Therapists

  • February 4

Chapter 5: Strengthening the Art Therapy Profession through Social Media

  • February 11

Chapter 6: Social Networking and the Global Art Therapy Community

  • February 18

Chapter 7: Social Media and the Art Therapist’s Creative Practice

  • February 25

Chapter 8: 6 Degrees of Creativity

  • March 4

Chapter 9: Future Considerations: Social Media and Art Therapists

Routledge is also having an end of the year sale of all its book titles, which includes a 20% discount of The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media if you still need to purchase a copy in time for the discussion group!  🙂

Celebrating: Connection, Community, and Creativity

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

Here are some event updates celebrating not only the release of The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media last month, but also the value of connection, community, and creativity:

Ursuline College Book Reception & Author Signing

On the campus of Ursuline College and in the Parker Hannifin Center for Healing Arts and Sciences (home of the Counseling and Art Therapy Graduate Program), a book reception and author signing brought out students, alumni, faculty, book contributors, friends, and family to celebrate the book’s release in good company! Thank you to Ursuline College and the CAT Program for their event support. Much appreciation to friends who helped with contributing to the event with art-making, social media balloon art, and managing book sales. A very fun evening!

Virtual Book Release Party on Facebook

This online event included friends, colleagues, book contributors, and supporters from around the US, Canada, Ireland, Taiwan, and Australia.  The evening was chock full of trivia and contests inspired by the book, as well as giveaways of items to those who participated.  Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!

AATA Advanced Practice Course

At the 2017 American Art Therapy Association conference, there were two program offerings that explored the professional use of social media among art therapists: an all day advanced practice course about digital presence and a discussion focus group that provided an opportunity for conference attendees to dialogue about issues and topics related to social networking.  Connecting with art therapists about these topics generated great discussion and considerations about ways we and the field can use social media professionally, ethically, and creatively.  During the advanced practice course attendees also made art to further address their social media use, digital ecosystems, and digital footprints as art therapists (Photographed and posted with participant permission).

Meet the Author and Book Signing at the American Art Therapy Association Conference

The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media was included in the AATA conference’s official bookstore, Baystate Professional Book Services and part of the conference’s meet the authors and signing event.  Coming together with colleagues, students, friends, and meeting new faces in this setting was so fun!   Thank you to Baystate and everyone who purchased the book on site from the bookstore!

Upcoming Events

Author Q&A on Facebook– December 3 (begins 5:00 pm EST):  This event next month features an opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to the writing of The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media and its contents. Free signed book giveaway will take place during the meet-up!

Thanks again to everyone who attended these events last and this month, as well as purchased copies of the book— Gratitude!   A friendly reminder that Routledge continues to offer a 20% discount through the end of 2017 when using the code IRK71 when checking out on their site.

Related Posts

Chapter Abstracts: The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media

Art Therapists on the Grid Convo Series

About the Book

Upcoming Events

Posted on by Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC

The official release date of The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media is quickly approaching!  In celebration of its launch next month, a couple of book events have been scheduled.

OCTOBER

October 25- Meet & Greet Book Reception–6:00-8:00 p.m., 3rd Floor Lounge of Parker Hannifin Bldg., Ursuline College Campus.  This event will include food, art making, discounted books, and book signing time.

October 29- Virtual Book Launch Party! 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST– This online event on Facebook is a celebration of the book’s release and a thank you to supporters, contributors, and interested readers from all around the world. The virtual festivities will include fun social media inspired contests, trivia, & giveaways related to the book!

NOVEMBER

November 8-12, The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media will be available on-site at the American Art Therapy Association Conference Bookstore in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  On Thursday, November 9, 5:00-7:00 p.m., stop by the Author Book Signing in during the Marketplace Extravaganza!

Stop and say hello!