WATA is an affiliate chapter of The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art making is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy. The AATA represents approximately 5,000 members and 36 AATA State and Regional Chapters that conduct meetings and activities to promote art therapy on the local level.

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a human service profession that utilizes art media, images, the creative art process, and patient/client responses to the created the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational, psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal, and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation, and increasing self esteem.

 

Art therapy is an effective treatment for the developmentally, medically, educationally, socially, or psychologically impaired; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic institutions.  Populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are served by art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats.

 

 

Wisconsin Art Therapy Association Board Members

 

President:  Jill Wargolet, MS, ATRL-BC

President Elect:  Marianne Huebner, MS

Secretary:  Ellen Eggen, MS, ATR-BC, LPC

Treasurer:  Justine Kopp, MS, ATRL-BC

Membership:  Anne Warren, MS, ATR-BC, LPC

Programming:  Jyl Brentana, MS

Government Affairs:  Hilary Chermak, MA, ATR

Member-at-Large:  Cathy Hoffman-Manthey, MS

Newsletter:  Lynn Franta Genz, MS, ATR, LPC

Website:   Jyl Brentana, MS

Student Affairs:  Lois Johnson