MP10 - Beyond Henna: Tattoos and Healing, an American and Indian Art Therapy Perspective. (N/NY)

Simone Alter Muri, ATR-BC, ATCS, LMHC, is the Director and Founder of the Art Therapy/Counseling and Art Education programs at Springfield College, where she serves as a Professor of Art Therapy. She holds a Doctorate in Creative Behavior and Child Development and a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. An exhibiting artist, her work spans glass art reflecting the plight of refugees, installations exploring barcodes and Holocaust memory, and plein air paintings. Her recent sculptural installation invites contemplation of the Ukrainian/Russian conflict. Simone was the 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Applied Creative Practice in Art Therapy Award from AATA. Her current research focuses on tattoos and healing. Widely published, she is recognized for her work on the body as canvas, children’s art development, art in times of war and political trauma, and postmodern approaches in art therapy.

Anushree Bhargava is a distinguished multidisciplinary artist, art therapist, and author whose diverse expertise spans visual arts, media, film, tattooing, production design, fashion, and graphics. Driven by a passion for the therapeutic potential of art, she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Art Therapy from MIT ADT University, Pune. With a career marked by extensive work in mental health settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and community spaces, Anushree has also forged impactful collaborations with Rapid Action Force officials. By seamlessly integrating tattooing and art therapy, she offers a distinctive platform for self-expression, healing, and personal growth. Through bespoke tattoos designed in collaboration with her clients, Anushree empowers individuals with lasting symbols of strength and resilience, cultivating enduring mental well-being and positivity