Cedar Crest College Art Therapy

A special welcome to Danielle Merk MPS, ATR-BC as the Interim Director of the Master of Art in Art Therapy (MAAT) program.

Danielle is a familiar face to many and has been involved with Cedar Crest's MAAT Program since its inception in 2013.

As an adjunct professor, she focuses on group dynamics, supervision coursework, accelerated elective courses and CP mentoring. Danielle has been responsible for all art therapy programming at St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus since 2009 and uses both psychodynamic and studio-based approaches. There she has curated three successful art exhibits highlighting patient artwork that focused on reducing the stigma of mental illness.

She previously specialized in trauma recovery, employed by the Morris County Sexual Assault Center (MCSAC), New Jersey Battered Women’s Services (NJBWS) and Women Aware DV Shelter. Danielle holds an MPS in creative arts therapy and development from Pratt Institute and received her BA in psychology from C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Originally from the Hudson Valley, N.Y., Danielle has resided in Pennsylvania since 2009 and has raised two amazing children.

It is with a heavy heart, we announce that Denise Wolf, Director of the Undergraduate Art Therapy Program and Michelle Dean, Director of the Graduate Art Therapy Program have resigned from their respective teaching positions at Cedar Crest College.

Undergraduate Art therapy student, Cynthia Rodriguez, was featured in the Morning Call newspaper for her work volunteering for the American Red Cross.

Congratulations to MAAT student, Heather Tittle who had a panel proposal accepted into the 2020 AATA conference. Her panel consisted of two professional artists, a neurologist, and an art therapist, who will present a collective perspective of their personal and professional experience of incorporating art therapy into the healing process from acquired brain injury. Panelists discuss the therapeutic value of art making and images in a clinical rehabilitation setting.

Congratulations to MAAT student, Courtney Brensinger who had her poster proposal accepted to the American Art Therapy Association Conference scheduled for October 2020 in Washington DC. This poster explores art therapy interventions in a forensic institution through an ethnographic account highlighting the voices of group art therapy members in a treatment facility for men with s*x offences and mental health histories. Response art made by the author highlights themes within this treatment facility for s*x offenders.

Haley Triolo, 2019 graduate of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy, is providing art therapy at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, Delaware.

Many of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA)Scholarships are open to both undergraduate and graduate art therapy students! The deadline for application is May 1. Please share.

Meet 3 AATA Scholarship Recipients to Inspire your Application (Due May 1) - American Art Therapy Association Every year, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) celebrates individual members who are making an impact in our profession, community, and elevating the field. Part of this recognition includes supporting the next generation of art therapists who will transform the future of the profession.

So proud of our graduates. Sending them strength and comfort during this challenging time.

Amber Petchonka and Natalya Receveur, both 2019 grads of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program are providing art therapy to the children at KidsPeace Children's Psychiatric Hospital.

Female leaders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic are highlighted by this talented artist

Italian artist pays homage to pandemic’s heroic women The trauma of the pandemic left Italian comic illustrator Milo Manara unable to work. Then he found his inspiration: A cop, a cashier, a doctor and other women on the job during the coronavirus fight.

Let's hear it for Elyse Coldren, MAAT student! Hooray! Her poster, entitled: Recommendation for a Multimodal Approach in Art Therapy - Art and Yoga, was accepted at the American Art Therapy Association's 51st Conference in Washington DC in October 2020.

Elyse's research explored how art and yoga are compatible disciplines and share positive effects on brain functioning, mitigating the negative effects of trauma and stress. This research synthesizes and adds to the current body of literature in order to understand the benefits of integrating these two creative disciplines within a trauma-informed approach.

Does Art Therapy Work? Here's What You Need to Know Let's take a look at the misconceptions.