N/NY-0205 - The Burma Project: Journeys to a Different Landscape

Description

A panel of art therapists with the Art Therapy Institute of North Carolina shares their experiences of utilizing art therapy with refugees from Burma who have resettled in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Together they find creative ways in which to address the mental health needs of this population.

Learning Objectives

Examine the ongoing ethnic conflict in Burma and be able to describe how this situation has led to substantial refugee populations in both Thailand and in the United States–most specifically, in the Triangle Area.
Name at least three medical and mental health concerns plaguing the refugees in the Triangle area, as well as identify at least three barriers to seeking out and receiving the medical and mental health counseling these refugees need.
Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of at least three art therapy directives used with this specific population.

Eva Miller

Co-Founder, North Carolina Art Therapy Institute

In addition to being one of the co-founders of the N.C. Art Therapy Institute, Eva Miller, MPS, ATR, LPCS currently facilitates art therapy groups for women with eating disorders, adults with acquired brain injury, and refugee children. She also directs the recreation program at a local healthcare & rehabilitation center in Raleigh, NC.

Kristin Linton

Organizing Founder, North Carolina Art Therapy Institute

Kristin Linton, MA, LPC, an organizing founder of the Art Therapy Institute, has worked to promote awareness of the field, access to services, and educational trainings. Currently she is working on the Burma Project in the Chapel Hill schools where she is also the district art therapist for the Exceptional Needs Program.

Dr. Hilary Rubesin

Executive Director, North Carolina Art Therapy Institute

Hillary Rubesin, PhD, MA, LPCANC, LPCS, LPC, is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Art Therapy Institute where she manages community engagement and education, facilitates outpatient expressive arts groups, and school and community expressive therapy sessions, as well as coordinates treatment with families, translators, teacher, school administrators, medical clinics and resettlement agencies for refugees. She also provides clinical supervision and administration for LPC interns, research and public health interns. She serves as a peer reviewer for Arts in Psychotherapy, a professional journal

Ilene Sperling

Ilene Sperling, MA, LPC, ATR is a master's level art therapist and the clinical director of the Institute in North Carolina. She has experience working with diverse populations of various ages in inpatient psychiatric units for children and adolescents, public schools, day treatment mental health centers, childcare settings, and private practice.