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 AATA News
AATA will be hosting our Annual Virtual Conference in addition to the AATA 2026 In-Person Conference (Oct 14 – 17, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina). Everyone is welcome to attend! Please save the dates: Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15. We are also looking for proposal submissions and proposal reviewers! Whether you’re considering our in-person conference in Charlotte or our Virtual Conference, now’s the time to start brainstorming and drafting your ideas. Submit by March 18. If you’re interested in reviewing proposal submissions and are an AATA member with ATR-BC credentials, please contact the Conference Team at conference@arttherapy.org.
The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) provides a critical framework for how art therapists can organize client information and orchestrate individualized treatment within a system that includes assessment, treatment planning, intervention, progress monitoring, and case conceptualization. The absence of comprehensive formal training in the ETC has resulted in the evolution of many myths about this framework for responsive, outcome-informed, client-centered care. Each myth likely stemmed from someone’s limited encounter with an aspect of the ETC—and some myths have appeared in published literature and at conferences. ⇒ We invite you to learn more about what is myth and what is truth through the first in a series of blog posts written by Megan L. VanMeter and Lisa D. Hinz, both former students of the ETC’s co-creators and art therapy pioneers, Vija Lusebrink and Sandra (Kagin) Graves-Alcorn. ⇒ Then join Megan and Lisa on February 19 for a virtual Continuing Education session about the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) framework. This session will help attendees re-conceptualize the ETC, offering opportunities to expand beyond the oversimplified beliefs about the model. [Register now] Attend the CE session “live” or register to watch the recording at your own pace. Participants may earn 2 CE credits. The session is discounted for AATA Members ($52) and FREE for AATA Student Members to attend. Everyone is welcome to attend!
 Member Corner
AATA’s Mentor Match program is a simple, structured way to build real connections in our field. Mentors get a chance to strengthen leadership and support the next generation. Mentees get guidance, perspective, and a steady sounding board to bring questions and goals. The second cohort for Mentor Match is starting this week — but we still need a few more mentors! Please sign up to become a mentor today! We already have 40 mentees signed up looking for mentors. Watch this video with AATA Board Secretary Michael Galarraga, LPC, ATR-BC, CSAC, CSOTP.
We have an overstock of AEM Hi Arts 30-sheet, 11" × 15" watercolor paper stored in our warehouse near Hartford, CT, and are offering it to individuals or organizations. Paper is available for free pickup by the case (60 pads) or by the pallet (320 pads). To arrange a pickup time, please call our warehouse at 860-985-8618. Shipping is also available by the pallet for a flat rate of $1,750. If you are interested or know an organization that could benefit, please feel free to share. ADVOCACY UPDATESThe Department of Education has issued the rule that would define “professional student” for purposes of determining federal student loan amounts based on the type of program in which a student is enrolled. Under the proposal, “professional students” would be those enrolled in one of 11 designated professional degree programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology. Students enrolled in these programs would qualify for up to $50,000 in federal loans per year, with a $200,000 aggregate limit. All other graduate students would be eligible only for up to $20,500 in federal student loans per year, with a $100,000 aggregate limit. This narrow definition of “professional degree programs” leaves out many other critical health professions, from nursing and physical therapy to social work. At a time when our nation is experiencing health care workforce shortages, this will further hinder access to care. Art therapists and art therapy students have relied on federal loans to help pay for their graduate education. If these rules are finalized, art therapy students would not be able to borrow more than $100,000 through federal student loans beginning July 1, 2026. The public comment period closes on March 2. Submit a comment via the Federal Register here or stay tuned for an email with more details and suggestions on writing a comment for submission. In addition, AATA is monitoring the Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals (LEAP) Act (HR 6574), legislation pending before Congress. The LEAP Act would set the same student loan caps for all graduate students regardless of their program. AATA will be sending a message out to members about ways they can engage in supporting student loan equity and access to art therapy education. JOURNAL NEWS
This Black History Month, we encourage you to read the Viewpoint by Jasmine Parker: The Path to Higher Education: Experiences as an African American Woman Events
From the AATA Career CenterWant to post or apply for art therapy jobs? Visit the AATA Career Center, the one-stop-shop to help art therapists at all levels find new opportunities. For questions about the career center, please email info@arttherapy.org.
Art Therapy in the NewsThe powerful artwork created by soldiers from the Fort Hood Intrepid Spirit Center are on display at the National Mounted Warrior Museum in Fort Hood, Texas, through February 21. Each piece reflects a personal journey navigating traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. View images on Facebook or Instagram.
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The AATA's Art Therapy Today includes a digest of the most important news selected for the AATA from thousands of sources. Guest articles may be submitted to info@arttherapy.org. Publication of any guest article is at the sole discretion of the AATA. The opinions expressed and/or contents of guest articles, advertisements, and external links included in any AATA publication do not represent the positions or policies of the AATA. The AATA makes no warrenty or representation concerning the accuracy of such content. |
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