NY-MC-156 - A Multi Perspective Discussion on Global Art Therapy

Monica Ventura is a Licensed Psychologist and Art Therapist from Costa Rica. In her private practice, Monica currently works with children, adolescents and adults (www.menteacolor.com). She got her Masters Degree in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at the George Washington University and has another Masters degree in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy. In addition to her private practice work, Monica teaches an Art Therapy course at a local university.

Alexis, DrPH, ATR, LPCA received her masters in Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling at The George Washington University. Alexis received her doctorate in public health at East Tennessee University. Alexis is currently working as an art therapist in Asheville, NC and is the Founder and Executive Director of Playing to Live! She specializes in trauma informed art therapy, program development, and international development. She has worked in Liberia, Uganda, South Africa, Eastern Europe, India, Jamaica, Florence, Italy, and Walter Reed National Military Hospital. She has worked as a clinician in wilderness therapy settings, autism, substance abuse, at risk youth in diverse populations, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, military, and with homeless and displaced persons.

She has experienced time and time again how artistic expression, play, and cultural empowerment can facilitate recovery and healing after a traumatic experience, and her passion and career path lies within developing global programs that provide children in low resource communities a safe and healing space for recovering from trauma.

Heidi Bardot, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT, Director of the Art Therapy Graduate Program at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She is a licensed, registered, board certified art therapist and has created service-learning programs in India, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Croatia, and assisted in creating a post-master’s program in Croatia. She has collaborated with organizations to train relief workers in art techniques, self-care, and trauma. Bardot has published and presented internationally on refugee and war trauma, resiliency, grief, ethics, and international education.

Sangeeta Prasad, MA, ATR-BC, has over 30years of experience working as an art therapist with children and adults and is currently in private practice. She is the co-founder of Circle Art Studio, in Virginia, USA, and vice president of the Prasad Family Foundation. She has published two books, "Creative Expressions: Say it with Art" and "Using Art Therapy with Diverse Populations, Crossing Cultures, and Abilities." She founded the Indian Art Therapy Discussion Forum (IATDF) in 2015 and taught an online course at Women's Christian College, Chennai, India. She was a Director on the Board for the American Art Therapy Association from 2016 to 2018. Sangeeta pursues her passion for art through painting using traditional Indian art techniques and hand-woven Indian fabrics. Her websites are www.sangeetaprasad.com and www.circleartstudio.com