Illinois Art Therapy Association

12/10/2025

Did you know (since 2023!) you can join IATA by only paying the chapter membership?
$30 Chapter Annual Membership
$25 Student Annual Membership
Visit our Membership page: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/membership.html

Membership benefits include discounts on our NBCC approved CE courses, opportunities to participate on the IATA board and be directly involved in your local Art Therapy Community, and featuring your photo and a link to your professional website on our Find an Art Therapist page: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/find-an-art-therapist.html

BTW our newsletter is FREE to anyone who wants to register! Visit IATA’s homepage http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/ and fill out the form to receive our monthly newsletter that includes art therapy specific job postings, updates on art therapy and mental health related community and policy changes, and postings about art therapy related events.

And also, Advertisements on our newsletter and social media pages for programs and events that are less than $15 are also FREE! Simply email communications.iata@gmail.com with your ad image (JPG PNG BMP) and copy of art therapy related content, and we will include your ad in our next newsletter cycle + on a social media post or story.

For products and events that are $15+, please visit our Advertisement page to learn more and purchase an advertisement package: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/social-media--advertisement.html

If you are an employer and have a job to post, this is also FREE. Please send your job application link and job description to communications.iata@gmail.com and we will include your opportunity on our next newsletter and the Jobs page on our website: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/jobs.html

WOW! That’s a lot of ways to get involved with IATA and contribute to your community. If you want to see something from IATA that we are not doing, come to one of our monthly board meetings and let us know! All monthly board meeting dates scheduled for 2026 will soon be posted at the top of our home page. Can’t wait to see you in January!

11/25/2025

IATA is collecting members’ comments to submit to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

DEADLINE (via this form, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc47Bcxf0bhHB99pGIfPcNpAU3UGsbVMSBCYRhI3dgSQW_eHg/viewform): DECEMBER 4, 2025; 5 PM CST

The Illinois Art Therapy Association would like to submit a comment to the FDA on behalf of IL Art Therapists. The FDA is requesting public comments on the use of AI in mental health.

Please note that currently, the Illinois Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act prohibits AI from independently providing therapy services; however, there are permitted areas, such as using AI for administrative work.

Your comments may be incorporated into the letter we submit on behalf of IATA. By filling out this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc47Bcxf0bhHB99pGIfPcNpAU3UGsbVMSBCYRhI3dgSQW_eHg/viewform), you permit IATA to include your words, ideas, and comments, without your name, representing you as member(s) of IATA, in the letter we write to the FDA as a professional organization.

See more details through the google survey form and provide your comment as an Illinois Art Therapist. You can also find the link to the executive summary of the FDA’s recently (on 11/6/2025) held a hearing on digital mental health (AI Therapist): https://www.fda.gov/media/189391/download

And the link to submit your comment to the FDA as an individual, due before December 8, 2025: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2025-N-2338-0001

11/15/2025

Ready to make a difference? IATA has an open board position as Government Affairs Chair. The Government Affairs Chair represents art therapy interests, monitors policy actions, and advocates for legislation. IATA is looking for an Art Therapist who is friendly, detail-oriented, and passionate about policy. Learn more about the position:http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/uploads/1/1/8/2/11825854/government_affairs_chair_job_description_2024.docx.pdf

Nominate or apply here: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/nominations.html

10/23/2025

Join our team! IATA is looking for a Membership Chair to lead our membership efforts and strengthen our community. Learn more about the position through the description link http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/uploads/1/1/8/2/11825854/membership_director_job_description_2024.docx.pdf.

Nominations accepted now! http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/nominations.html

10/13/2025

Job Opportunity:

If anyone knows of an expressive therapist who is looking for a full time job, Endeavor Health/Linden Oaks is hiring!

Hourly Pay Range: $24.86 - $37.29 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors. Position Highlights: Position: Expressive Therapist Location: LOH Mill Street-Naperville Full Time Hours: 7a-3:30pm What you will do: Provides indivi...

10/08/2025

We have a vacancy on IATA’s Board, and we're looking for a President-Elect! Learn more about the role -http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/uploads/1/1/8/2/11825854/president_job_description_2024.docx.pdf

The new President-Elect will work closely with the current President before assuming the role. If you or someone you know is interested, submit your nomination today! Find the nomination form on our website - http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/nominations.html

10/06/2025

Thanks to all who attended Art in the Park last month! Your participation fostered connections between Art Therapists through creative expression. We heard you want more community events. Let us know in the comments if there's a public space or art studio you'd like us to consider for IATA’s next event.

09/28/2025

Art Therapy for ASD Students in Schools is a therapist-written resource featuring 15 creative
group directives designed specifically for autistic students in school-based settings.
It’s structured yet flexible, clinically grounded yet warm—and built from real classroom
experience.
Now available in Paperback and Kindle on Amazon. https://a.co/d/drcutWo
If it supports your work, please consider leaving an honest review. Even a few words can help
other professionals discover a resource that makes a difference.

08/24/2025

🎨Join us at Art in the Park! - IATA’s Community Art-Making Meetup🎨
📍 Wicker Park Fountain
(1590 N Damen Ave, Chicago IL)
🗓 Saturday, September 6th
⏰ 10:00 – 11:30 AM

The Illinois Art Therapy Association invites you to join us for a morning of creativity, connection, and community! Whether you are beginning your master’s journey, continuing your studies, or have been in the field for years, this event is a space to gather, make art, and network with fellow Illinois Art Therapists.

✨ What to Bring:
* Your own art materials 🖌
* A towel, blanket, or something comfortable to sit on
* Your creative spirit!
💧 Sparkling water will be provided. Afterward, we encourage you to explore the Renegade Craft Fair just a few blocks away (11 AM–6 PM).

🚇 Easily accessible by CTA bus and Blue Line train (Damen stop)
🚗 Street parking + SpotHero available

✅ Please RSVP here so we can gauge interest and attendance: RSVP Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDUVqP1B8V_laps00pXl-EVvKybKe_Thh-f9ugTcTzU5TdsA/viewform

Walk-ups are also welcome!

07/08/2025

Two more days to register!

Join us THIS SATURDAY, July 12, 2025 from 11am-12:30pm for a virtual course on Navigating Licensure Exam Accommodations led by IATA’s Program Chair, Rebecca Kramer, LPC, ATR-P. This course will provide valuable insights on securing accommodations for NBCC and IDFPR exams, facilitated by Pearson. New graduates, don’t miss out!

Registration Info: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/exam-accommodation-event.html

Registration Deadline: July 10th, 2025

Price: $20 IATA Members
$30 Non-members

Not an IATA Member? Now you can join IATA by paying only the Chapter Membership.
$30 Chapter Membership
$25 Student Membership
Go to the Membership Page on the IATA website and join today! http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/membership.html

06/22/2025

IATA has an open position to fill on our Board.
We are seeking nominations for a Present-Elect. You can find the full description of the role here -http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/uploads/1/1/8/2/11825854/president_job_description_2024.docx.pdf

Once elected, this position starts immediately. The elected person will shadow the President until the end of her term to eventually take over the President position.

If you see yourself or someone you know as a great fit for the role, submit your nomination today! See nomination form on our website - http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/nominations.html

06/13/2025

Event Title: Navigating Licensure Exam Accommodations

Date: Saturday, July 12th, 2025
Time: 11am - 12:30pm

Register: http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/exam-accommodation-event.html
Registration Deadline: July 10th, 2025

Price: $20 IATA Members
$30 Non-members

Event Description: Join Rebecca Kramer, LPC, ATR-P, for a practical and empowering workshop designed to demystify the process of requesting testing accommodations for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in Illinois. Drawing from her personal advocacy journey and professional expertise, Rebecca will guide participants through eligibility criteria, required documentation, and timelines as outlined by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Attendees will learn how to navigate potential barriers, advocate for specific needs, and understand their rights throughout the licensure process. This session is especially valuable for students, recent graduates, supervisors, and educators supporting future professionals.

Presenter Bio: Rebecca Kramer, LPC, ATR-P (she/her)
Rebecca Kramer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Provisionally Registered Art Therapist based in Chicago, Illinois. With a strong commitment to accessibility and neurodiversity-informed care, Rebecca brings both professional expertise and personal advocacy experience to her work. She has successfully navigated the process of securing testing accommodations throughout high school, college, and most recently for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) through the NBCC, in the state of Illinois.
Rebecca earned her Master’s in Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling, along with a Certificate in S*x Therapy, from Adler University, in October of 2023. She currently serves as the Wellness Specialist: Art Therapist at Gateway to Learning, a nonprofit supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this role, she conducts individual and group art therapy and counseling. She also leads the organization’s s*x education program, which is designed to promote autonomy, consent, and inclusive, developmentally appropriate education.
In addition to her clinical work, Rebecca serves as the Programs Committee Chair for the Illinois Art Therapy Association. Her approach is grounded in empowerment and practical guidance, and in this presentation, she offers a detailed, compassionate overview of how to apply for licensure exam accommodations in Illinois—with a focus on transparency, advocacy, and success.

Program Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Identify eligibility criteria for testing accommodations as outlined by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
2. Describe the step-by-step process for requesting accommodations for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), including required documentation and timelines.
3. Recognize common challenges and barriers applicants may face when navigating the accommodations process, and learn strategies to address them effectively.
4. Differentiate between types of accommodations commonly approved (e.g., extended time, separate testing room, breaks), and how to advocate for specific needs.
5. Apply knowledge of personal rights and ethical considerations related to disability disclosure and accommodations in professional licensure contexts.

Register under the Events tab on the IATA website by July 10th!

http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/exam-accommodation-event.html

Not an IATA Member? Now you can join IATA by paying only the Chapter Membership.
$30 Chapter Membership
$25 Student Membership
Go to the Membership Page on the IATA website and join today! http://www.illinoisarttherapy.org/membership.html