[Self-Study] RE-62 Mindful Based Art Therapy as a "Gateway" Intervention for College Students

Dr. Theresa Van Lith, Ph.D, MS, is currently the Course Coordinator for the Master and Graduate Diploma of Art Therapy programs at La Trobe University. Previously, she joined Florida State University's faculty, focusing on coordinating clinical placements and engaging in practical research in art therapy and mental health. Her research primarily centers on developing and implementing art therapy studies aimed at practical improvements in quality of life, assessing intervention effectiveness, and determining best practices. A significant part of her work includes the ongoing development and implementation of a practical art therapy research strategy, with a future focus on practical techniques for reducing anxiety, and stress, and improving overall mental outlook through mindfulness and art-based practices.

She actively contributes to the American Art Therapy Association, serving as Associate Editor for its academic journal. She is also a Board Member of the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA). Her practical contributions to the field have been acknowledged with several awards, including the American Art Therapy Association Seed Grant (2021), the National Endowment for the Arts Research Award (2020), and the Department of Art Education Faculty Teaching Award (2019).

Megan Beerse received her Master of Science in Art Therapy at Florida State University and is a nationally-certified 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (200-RYT) . She has clinical experience in civil and forensic settings, working with adults with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and severe persistent mental illness. Her research interests include interdisciplinary frameworks, mindfulness-based art therapy, and proactive mental health strategies. She is currently researching a biofeedback response to mindfulness-based art therapy facilitated over an online platform.