N/NY-0303 - Young at Art: The Endless Possibilities of Art Therapy with Senior Adults

Anna Ford Smith, MA, ATR-BC, LPC obtained her Master’s degree from The George Washington University. She has worked with hospitalized children and their families, suicide survivors, patients with eating disorders, and with youth in Managua, Nicaragua. She is currently providing art therapy services at a center that offers treatment for adolescents and adults. Her specialties include: women’s issues, mood and eating disorders.

Catherine M. Harris, MA, ATR-BC, received her professional training from George Washington University in 2007. Immediately following graduation, she created an art therapy program specially designed for older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease at IONA Senior Services in Washington, DC. She currently lives in Nashville where she has worked as an Art Therapist and Inpatient Group Specialist. Her current role is to oversee the art, music, and recreation therapy programs for the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Centennial’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Centennial’s Rehabilitation Services, the Centennial Tower Medical Psychiatric Unit, and Centennial Weight Management services.

Emery H. Mikel, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, LCPAT provided studio art therapy to the elderly and people living with dementia throughout the Washington, DC area until her relocation to Huntington, NY. She created and conducted her own contract service with 15-20 retirement homes. She studied Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University. She is the founder and director of Water & Stone: a transpersonal and contemplative creative arts therapy collective. She also mentors therapists, supervises interns, and guest lectures at George Washington University and Nazareth College. She received her MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.