Thanks to a grassroots effort by the Nebraska Art Therapy Coalition, art therapists in the state now have licensure! LB605, which changes provisions of the Mental Health Practice Act to include protections and requirements for certified art therapists, was passed unanimously by Nebraska’s legislature and signed by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen on March 11. This victory is the culmination of many years of organizing, advocacy, and coalition building by the Coalition as well as mental health, education, and arts advocates in the state. Their efforts began with a sunrise review request to the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services in 2018.

As you may know, the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a free online database created by the Dept. of Labor (DOL) that categorizes and defines hundreds of jobs. The ways in which professions are classified and defined within the database directly impact insurance reimbursement for various professions, including art therapy. 

DOL is updating the O*NET database and has asked for AATA’s help. They need a list of art therapy professionals who have five or more years of experience and hold an ATR-BC to complete the O*NET survey. In order for AATA to provide this list, we are asking art therapists to update their MyAATA profiles with the most up-to-date information about their credentials and years of experience. 

Last month, Mattel’s Barbie brand launched its first mental health career—and they chose to show Barbie as an art therapist! At a time when children are facing a multitude of mental health crises, AATA hopes Art Therapy Barbie will give parents and caregivers an opportunity to talk about mental health with kids and explore the power of art-making in wellness.

As so many of you shared during last month’s AATA All Member Meeting and on social media, Art Therapy Barbie is an opportunity for our community to raise awareness about art therapy. Please share this post about Barbie and Art Therapy, as well as this fact sheet, What is Art Therapy? Or check out AATA’s post, 7 Facts to Know About Art Therapy Barbie, on Instagram.

The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) is currently seeking applications and nominations for two Educator and one Practitioner positions that will become open on July 1, 2024.

Log into MyAATA for the codes to get a 30% discount from Faber-Castell on select products and a 20% discount from Grabie!

Did you know the Art Therapy Journal's readership as grown by over 49% since 2019? Here's a round-up of recent Journal articles that you don't want to miss! 

⇒ Most read articles from Art Therapy
⇒ Most cited articles from Art Therapy
⇒ Article collection: Art Therapy Best Paper Awards
⇒ Open access articles from Art Therapy