New Jersey Art Therapy Association (NJATA)

The New Jersey Art Therapy Association, Inc. is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing.

The New Jersey Art Therapy Association (NJATA), a non-profit entity, is an official affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. NJATA was founded in 1997. Prior to 1997, the Garden State Art Therapy Association was organized but was not an affiliate chapter of AATA. There are approximately one hundred professional art therapists and art therapy students who are members of NJATA. For more information, visit http://www.njarttherapy.org

NJATA Mission

To serve its members and the general public by providing a forum for addressing professional issues, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy on a local level.

NJATA Goals

• Support the American Art Therapy Association with the provision of educational opportunities within the field of Art Therapy for members and the general public as well as art therapy professionals.
• Promote public awareness of the field of art therapy.
• Encourage progressive development of the therapeutic use of art.
• Support development of research and standards of clinical practice.
• Maintain criteria for training future art therapists in therapeutic and culturally competent techniques.
• Exchange information with colleagues and the general public.
• Facilitate the therapeutic use of art in institutional and private practice settings.

Membership Information- 2007

• $35 for credentialed professional, associate, and contributing members
• $30 for retired members and students
• Free for Past-Presidents and NJATA Honorary Lifetime Members (HLMs)

Please join or renew your membership through the American Art Therapy Association. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31 of the membership year.

NJATA Officers

President: Mary Ellen McAlevey, MA, ATR-BC, LPC

President-Elect: Rita Klachkin, MS, EdS, ATR-BC, LAC

Treasurer: Susan Arones, MA, MPH, MBA

Secretary: Maria Regina Lupo, MFA, ATR

Membership Chair: Lynn Snyder, MPS, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC

Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters: Elaine Shor, MA, ATR-BC

Governmental Affairs Chair: Elaine Shor, MA, ATR-BC

Diversity Chair: Laura Loumeau-May, MPS, ATR-BC, LPC

Program Chair: Elissa Bowes, MA, ATR-BC, LAC

Public Relations Co-Chairs: Joseph Jaworek, MA-CT, ATR & Maria Regina Lupo, MFA, ATR

Where to study art therapy in New Jersey

Caldwell College, 9 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 www.caldwell.edu/graduate

Contact your local college for introductory courses in art therapy.

Download a copy of the State of New Jersey Creative Arts Therapy Week Proclamation (jpg 212KB)