[Self-Study] (Art Therapy Supervision) Harmonizing Perspectives: Fostering and Nourishing an Inclusive Mentoring Dynamic in Art Therapy

Recorded On: 01/30/2024

Session 3 - Harmonizing Perspectives: Fostering and Nourishing an Inclusive Mentoring Dynamic in Art Therapy

Recording Date & Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET)

Session Description:

Part three of our three-part 2024 Supervision Series.

In this third session, Dr. David Gussak and Dr. Bani Malhotra will draw upon their past collaborations to discuss the differences between supervision and mentoring while clarifying the particular value and benefits of a co-evolving mentoring dynamic. The potential challenges and opportunities of a mentoring relationship between people of different cultural identities will be further explored.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1) Differentiate between supervision and mentoring within art therapy practice.
2) Describe the benefits of a co-evolving, reciprocal mentoring dynamic.
3) Analyze challenges and opportunities within mentoring relationships across differing cultural identities.

Presenters:

Bio: Dr. David E. Gussak, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM is Professor for the Florida State University’s Graduate Art Therapy Program and Program Coordinator for the FSU/FL Dept of Correction’s Art Therapy in Prisons program. Dr. Gussak has presented and published extensively internationally and nationally on a myriad of topics, including forensic art therapy, art therapy in forensic settings, with violin and aggressive clients, professional identity, ethics, and supervision. He has held numerous roles for several professional organizations, including the American Art Therapy Association and the Art Therapy Credentials Board and he currently serves on the editorial board for several professional journals. He has also served as a supervisor and mentor for many over the last 30 years.

Dr. Bani Malhotra
PhD, ATR-BC

Bio: Dr. Bani Malhotra, PhD, ATR-BC is a Registered Board-Certified Art Therapist and a researcher. Dr. Malhotra recently completed her doctorate in Creative Arts Therapies from Drexel University and has assisted in several federally and locally funded research studies on traditional arts, pediatric oncology, and veterans at the Health, Arts, Learning and Evaluation (HALE) Lab at Drexel University. Her professional interests include using interdisciplinary science to develop, implement, and evaluate art therapy and arts interventions for health and wellness, especially in the context of stress, injury, or illness. Dr. Malhotra is dedicated to examining issues of identity and accessibility in art therapy, focusing on mentoring in both academic and clinical settings. A graduate of George Washington University and Delhi University, Dr. Malhotra has extensive experience providing counseling and art therapy services to individuals across the lifespan in medical, forensic, psychiatric, and school settings in India and the United States. She currently serves as a Chair for AATA’s International Shared Interest Group. Dr. Malhotra is a 2024 Clinical Research Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. David Gussak

PhD, ATR-BC, HLM

Florida State University

Dr. David E. Gussak, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM is Professor for the Florida State University’s Graduate Art Therapy Program and Program Coordinator for the FSU/FL Dept of Correction’s Art Therapy in Prisons program. Dr. Gussak has presented and published extensively internationally and nationally on a myriad of topics, including forensic art therapy, art therapy in forensic settings, with violin and aggressive clients, professional identity, ethics, and supervision. He has held numerous roles for several professional organizations, including the American Art Therapy Association and the Art Therapy Credentials Board and he currently serves on the editorial board for several professional journals. He has also served as a supervisor and mentor for many over the last 30 years.

Bani Malhotra

PhD, ATR-BC

Bani Malhotra, Ph.D., ATR-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University and a lead interventionist for the Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers’ Health- REACH-TBI project, a telehealth intervention study for caregivers of veterans/service members with Traumatic Brain Injury. Bani earned her Ph.D. in Creative Art Therapies from Drexel University. Her research focuses on developing and implementing art therapy interventions for supporting individuals and their families in adjusting to stress, injuries, and chronic health conditions. Additionally, her work examines therapeutic applications of art media and engagement techniques that are accessible and congruent with the lived experiences of participants and communities. She currently serves as a Chair for AATA’s International Shared Interest Group. Bani has worked with diverse communities and her scholarly contributions have resulted in several publications related to injury/ illness adjustment and rehabilitation, and art therapy in diverse settings (www.banim.info/).