2018 Art Therapy Spring Workshop – Recap
The FSU’s Art Therapy Association (FSU-ATA), hosted its annual spring workshop on February 24, 2018. This year’s guest lecturer was Dr. Ellen Horovitz, ATR-BC, LCAT, E-RYT, LFYP, C-IAYT, an internationally known leader and author in Art Therapy, certified yoga therapist and psychotherapist, Professor Emerita and former director/founder of the Nazareth College graduate art therapy program, and past President-Elect of the American Art Therapy Association. She presented on Yoga Therapy and Art Therapy: The Mind/Body Connection, which aimed to teach participants how to view cognitive, physical, emotional, and developmental platforms through art therapy and yoga therapy and add value to
clinical practice by learning therapy modalities that succeed with individuals, couples, and families. The workshop also focused on presenting proven techniques to reach more resistant clients as well as promote understanding of basics behind yoga therapy assessments via hands-on experiences and patient video footage of difficult case studies.
The workshop ran from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and was free for all participants. People from all disciplines and from the community were welcomed to attend. The morning included registration, a free continental breakfast, a lecture, video presentations, experiential yoga components, and an art experiential. After lunch, Dr. Horovitz showed additional educational videos, guided participants in additional partner yoga sessions, and answered attendee inquiries concerning the multidisciplinary presentation. She presented each pose with options for modifications, illustrated several partner poses, and referred the benefits of poses to applicability for different treatment goals.
Furthermore, attendees went home with colorful ropes for impromptu yoga straps, the artwork made, and an extensive handout. The handouts included basic information about yoga techniques, poses, and mantras, benefits of different yoga positions, and introductions/illustrations of additional yoga poses.
Dr. Horovitz’s presentation addressed several learning objectives, including 1) understanding the benefits of yoga therapy and art therapy in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, 2) learning numerous hands-on yoga therapy techniques for individuals, couples, and families, and 3) understanding client populations who can benefit from a combined approach of art therapy and yoga therapy. These objectives and a hands-on experience allowed interviewees, students, and practitioners to learn art therapy and yoga therapy techniques that they can apply with clients who may not respond to traditional psychotherapy techniques. They were summarized in an accessible format that is applicable for an audience of students, educators, clinicians and researchers.
Amanda Schattie, president of FSU-ATA and main coordinator of the workshop, expressed the following:
After several months of planning and preparing, I think everything came together well and that the workshop was a valuable experience for learning a multidisciplinary approach to working with clients. I am grateful to Dr. Horovitz for teaching us about her art therapy and yoga therapy practice in a relatable and interactive workshop.
FSU Art Therapy Association wishes to cordially thank Dr. Horovitz for leading the 2018 Spring Art Therapy Workshop and providing insight into the integration of art therapy and yoga therapy. Furthermore, the association thanks all those who attended the event and encourages them, as well as the rest of the community, to attend next year’s annual art therapy workshop. Thank you to COGS for helping to fund our workshop.
