meet the author | The Art Therapist's Guide to Social Media

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!

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.

Art Therapists on the Grid Convo Series

About the Book