From MedicalXpress: Although the researchers from Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions believed that past experience in creating art might amplify the activity’s stress-reducing effects, their study found that everyone seems to benefit equally. … The results of the study were published in Art Therapy under the title “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ […]
Syrian Refugee Children Take Advantage of Art Therapy
From MyModernMet: Out of the 4 million Syrian refugees who are living in the world today, about half of them are children. Many of these young people are homeless, living in refugee camps, and have had to endure unimaginable trauma. Not only is adapting to a new environment stressful enough, but they’ve also had to […]
Art Therapy in ‘Outsider Art’
From the Huffington Post: The phrase ‘outsider art‘ does not, at first glance, seem inclusive. It’s a broad term used in the art world to denote the work of self-taught artists who develop outside the institutional structures of art schools, galleries and museums. But when Josh and Dana Kretzmann were deciding what to name their […]
Tango as a part of Physical Therapy
From UPI: People usually dance for fun, but researchers in a small study found dancing could be as effective as physical therapy at improving balance and preventing falls in cancer patients. Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often experience neuropathy, which causes a loss of sensation in the hands, fingers, feet and toes. Patients who learned […]
Bedside Music Therapy for Everyone
From ABC New Australia: The hospital is the first in Australia to have a dedicated paediatric music therapy service team inside a paediatric emergency unit. Maggie Leung, clinical leader of the music therapy department, said the seven-member team helped children at crucial moments in theatre. ‘When we know a child is in distress due to […]
Illustrating Anxiety
From the Huffington Post: Anxiety disorders are still largely misunderstood in society, despite the fact that an overwhelming number of American adults experience them. Luckily, artist Pranita Kocharekar is here with some visual insight. After facing anxiety on her own, Kocharekar started opening up about her emotions with her friends. She discovered that many of […]
Toys: The Usage of Artwork Representing War
From io9: Toy-surrogates are placed and posed in accordance to the children’s descriptions, integrated through forced perspective into the actual locations where described events occurred. Commentary is given on socioeconomic conditions through the use of locally acquired toys, seen against the conditions in which these children live. When possible and under the guidance of specialists, […]
Big Shoulders Fundraiser: The Recap
Life is… On July 16th, Big Shoulders Theatre Troupe presented Life Is …, a benefit concert for ITA. Popular musical theater selections were performed by Big Shoulders ensemble members, including such songs as “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific, “Schroeder” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “Model Behavior” from Women on the Verge of […]
2016 Creative Arts Therapy Summer Camp Partners
Summer Camp with ITA ITA was thrilled to partner once again with several summer camps across the Chicagoland area. We welcomed new partnerships with Edward Cancer Center’s Camp Hope and Seasons Hospice Foundation’s Camp Kangaroo. In addition, we continued camp programming at The Josselyn Center’s Camp Neeka, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Caring for Kids Summer […]
Help Advocate for Art Therapists in Connecticut
From the American Art Therapy Association (AATA): On May 11, 2016, Governor Dannel Malloy signed Public Act No. 16-66, which includes Statutory Recognition of art therapists in Connecticut. Henceforth, the terms ‘art therapist’ and ‘licensed art therapist’ gain title protection in the state. Misuse of the term by any individual not appropriately credentialed or certified […]