We are excited to announce the Fall 2021 symposium:

"Being" In Our Nature: Resilience and Eco-Art Therapy

Saturday Nov. 6th 

(Registration Deadline November 4, 2021)

 

with keynote Dr. Julia Byers

(click here to learn about Dr.  Julia Byers)


Pre-conference event Friday Nov. 5th, 4-6 pm:
Learn the Art of Kokedama balls with Jungle House 


For questions contact kansasarttherapy@gmail.com

and

​Join the symposium Facebook group to gain updates and participate in group discussions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2555446814705643

Pre-Conference Event Details:


Saturday November 6th, 2021

Location: Virtual or In-Person(Masks required and social distancing accommodated) at Lake Shawnee, Reynolds Lodge, 3315 SE Tinman Cir, Topeka, KS


"Being" In our Nature: Resilience and Eco-Art Therapy

Keynote: Dr Julia Byers, LMHC, ATR-BC


This hands -on workshop of learning and art-making  provides participants  with an opportunity to explore what eco-art therapy has to give to the field of mental health and resilience. It has been a difficult past few years for healthcare providers who have needed to navigate through offering art therapy services.  During covid restrictions, political unrest in USA and beyond, environmental changes and disasters, or just plain surviving in a world fraught with stress, in getting back to nature, arts therapists can utilize continued strategies for dealing with symptoms of compassionate fatigue.  Using eco-art therapy as a foundational support, this day session will review the different stages of the therapeutic process and how specific clinical populations can be identified to work with specific natural art materials.  The goal is to reacquaint providers with increased tools in  how to “be “ during times  of major stressors and crises for self and others. 

“Happiness is like a butterfly , the more you chase it , the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit on your shoulder.”
Henry David Thoreau 


Objectives

  1. Participants will identify at least three benefits of eco-art therapy for different clinical populations.
  2. The workshop will identify at least three ways of dealing with compassionate fatigue for mental health providers.
  3. Participants will investigate  at least three individual strategies on how to maintain mental health during specific stressors and crises.


This  symposium is designed for the education of professional art therapists, art therapy graduate students, or allied professionals.  ​The learning sessions in the symposium provide information on skills and strategies for art therapy, however the symposium in and of itself does not equate formalized training in art therapy.  Art Therapy is a master's level profession and individuals who are not credentialed art therapist and utilize therapeutic art activities should do so within their scope of practice or in consultation with a credentialed art therapist and should not use the term "art therapy" to describe the activity. There is risk of harm conducting any therapeutic modality, including the creative arts therapies, without the proper training. Further information on becoming a professional and credentialed art therapist can be found at the websites of the American Art Therapy Association and the Art Therapy Credentials Board.


The Kansas Art Therapy Association Symposium is designed to meet criteria for continuing education credits for licensed professional counselors designated by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for the state of Kansas as well as continuing education criteria for the Art Therapy Credentials Board. The program is intended for professional art therapists, art therapy graduate students, and other master level mental health professionals. Learning sessions are designed to enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge in the areas of psychological or psychotherapeutic theories and practice, art therapy theory and practice, client population, professional development, or professional issues. 


Virtual Attendance:  
You will be emailed a zoom link for joining the conference as well as detailed information about the agenda for the day, keynote presentation, art materials to have on hand, and steps for receiving a continuing education certificate.  

In-Person Attendance:
The event will take place at Reynolds Lodge, Lake Shawnee, 3315 SE Tinman Cir, Topeka, KS 66605. 
 
Registration begins at 8:30 am 
-  Bring any seeds you've harvested from your gardens to take part in a "seed swap"
-  Bring a lawn chair or blanket if you would like to relax outdoors during lunch or art making times.  
-  Breakfast items, lunch and refreshments will be provided. 
-  Art supplies will be provided and natural materials will be provided or can be foraged on site. You are also encouraged to bring a camera or phone for taking photos. You are welcome to bring any of the following items: found natural objects such as rocks, shells, drift wood, sand, branches, dried leaves, etc. and  recycled materials such as boxes, cartons, tins, yogurt containers, trays, etc.  Paints, scissors, glue guns, clay, string, paper, drawing materials, will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you do not want to use shared supplies.

Covid-19 safety measures:  We are making every effort to make the event safe and enjoyable.  Attendance is being capped at 1/3 the seating capacity of the facility to ensure ample room for social distancing.  We will take advantage of the beautiful outdoor environment for as many activities as possible, weather permitting.   Masks will be required indoors and it is strongly recommended that participants are vaccinated.  Should the risk level cause us to cancel all participation will be converted to online.  You will have the choice of a full refund if you choose or a partial refund to change your enrollment to online. 


To access a recording of the symposium contact kansasarttherapy@gmail.com

Symposium Details:


Friday November 5th, 2021, 4-6pm

Location: Grace Episcopal Cathedral,701 SW 8th St., Topeka, KS 


Learn the Art of Kokedama with Jungle House

(Masks required and social distancing accommodated)


Join us for a fun night of art and nature.  Rachel Guffey, the owner of Jungle House in Lawrence, KS will lead a guided workshop on the art of Kokedama. Kokedama is a ball of soil covered in moss with an ornamental house plant growing inside. Kokedama literally translates from “koke” meaning moss and “dama” meaning ball. The goal of this course is to have fun while learning this unique, relaxing Japanese style of gardening!  This course is not eligible for mental health CECs but may be counted as part of your art technique CECs with the Art Therapy Credentials Board.  After the workshop stay and enjoy the First Friday Art Walk happening in Topeka.  The workshop will take place at Grace Cathedral in downtown Topeka.  Many FF Art Walk galleries, shops and restaurants are located on nearby Kansas Avenue and the NOTO Arts District.   This includes the Creations of Hope Art Gallery, operated by the Expressive Therapies program at Valeo Behavioral Health Care. 

  • All supplies and materials are provided.  
  • The cost of the workshop is $50 and determined by Jungle House.  Five 50% -off scholarships are available to students or professionals in need on a first come basis.  Send email demonstrating your student status or financial need to kansasarttherapy@gmail.com to request a scholarship.  
  • The registration deadline is October 10th, 2021 to allow for ordering supplies.  
  • No virtual attendance options are available for this pre-conference event. If the workshop is cancelled due to covid-19 concerns you will receive a full refund.  
  • We are capping attendance at less than 30% of space capacity to allow for ample social distancing.  Masks are required for the event and it is strongly recommended that participants are vaccinated.