NEW MEXICO ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION
The Vision of
NMATA
To make available to all people, life enhancing involvement in the arts,
NMATA Mission
Statement
To provide a safe place for meaningful connections between people who
share what matters in the practice of art therapy.
Purpose of NMATA
To engage in the progressive development of the
therapeutic use of art; the advancement of research and standards of
clinical practice;, the maintenance of criteria for training future art
therapists in therapeutic and diagnostic techniques; the provision of
appropriate vehicles for the exchange of information with colleagues; and
the coordination of the therapeutic use of art in institutional or private
practice settings.
To paint what is before us is a different art from
painting what we see
within -C.G. Jung
Part of the difficulty
of giving an account of dreams is due to
our having to translate these images into words, 'I could draw it,'
a dreamer often says to us, ' but I don't know how to say it'.
-S. Freud
Art Therapy Defined
Art
therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making
of art is healing and life enhancing. Through creating art and talking
about art and the process of art making with an art therapist, one can
increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic
experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life affirming
pleasures of artistic creativity.
Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a masters degree in art therapy or a related field. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities. They often work as part of clinical teams, in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions; community outreach programs; wellness centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; art studios; and independent practices. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, clay, and other mediums) for treatment and assessment and conduct research as well as provide consultations to allied professionals.
Ethics
NEW MEXICO ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION bylaws & ethics are consistent with those of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). This information can be found at:
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Mission Statement Ethics By-Laws
