Faculty Highlights

• Dr. Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff, Associate Professor in the Creative arts Therapy Program, presented three times. Dr. Ekis-Abuhoff's, and one of her research team members Dr. Robert Goldblatt's, first presentation focused on their research connecting the Draw-a-Person-in-the-Rain (DAPR) assessment and the Dispositional Hope Scale, expanding ways of measuring hope among medical students through the use of the DAPR projective measure. She was also invited onto a panel led by Dr. Sarah Deaver, with Dr. Elizabeth Hartzell to discuss how personal art making supports students' development of professional identity and self-awareness. Finally Dr. Abuhoff was invited to facilitate a focus group with Juliet King and Christopher Belkofer, where together they led a conversation and brainstorming session discussing the importance of art therapy's connection with neuroscience.
• Creative Arts Therapy Program Director, Margaret Carlock-Russo, is the current Government Affairs Committee Chair for the American Art Therapy Association. As such, Ms. Carlock-Russo presented to the American Art Therapy Assembly of Chapters regarding advocacy for a professional art therapy license in all states. The presentation outlined the process the Association and its Chapters will be undertaking over the next decade to gain recognition for the profession and how all art therapists can get involved. In addition, Ms. Carlock-Russo provided a presentation to general conference attendees that highlighted the rationale for state licensing as well as a clear outline of the steps to be taken to achieve an art therapy license. She highlighted the importance of art therapists working collaboratively and strategically to address local and federal legislation as well as other actions that will impact the profession.