NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Patricia St. John, Professor of Art Therapy and Art Education at The College of New Rochelle Graduate School, received the Honorary Life Member award from the New York Art Therapy Association on Sunday, March 1. The highest award bestowed by the association to a person who has been an inspiration to the New York Art Therapy Association and its membership.
“I am honored to receive this award and recognition from colleagues who are so dedicated to the development of Art Therapy. It is truly wonderful to have the chance to practice art therapy, have the chance to help people and see the discipline grow. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to educate students who are using art therapy techniques to help others and expand the reach of the practice,” said St. John.
St. John has taught at The College of New Rochelle since 1986. As a professor and Chair of the Graduate School Division of Professional and Fine Arts, Chair of the American Art therapy Association Education Committee (AATA), and Co-Coordinator of their Task Force for the Revision of Art Therapy Master’s Programs Education Standards, St. John has played an important part in the education of art therapy majors at the College and beyond. Her work includes extensive research and practice contributions as well as service in multiple high-level professional Art Therapy Association positions. Regionally, St. John has held nearly every position on the board of the New England Association of Art Therapy (NEAAT) including president, and was awarded their Honorary Life Membership. On the national level, she has served on the board of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and chaired both its Research Committee and the Education Committee
St. John has presented extensively throughout the United States on topics of art therapy and neurological impairment, developmental characteristics in drawings by children and youth, art therapy ethics in assessment, and art therapy outcome research. Her published articles and book reviews appear in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, and her book chapters are found in Brooke’s Creative Arts Therapies Manual (2006) and the forthcoming (late 2015) Handbook of Art Therapy by Rosal and Gussak. She is on the advisory board of Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, and the review panel for Arts in Psychotherapy: An International Journal.
The interdisciplinary Art Therapy undergraduate and graduate programs at The College of New Rochelle combine foundation studies in studio art with training in psychology to prepare for graduate work as an art therapist. The programs provide intensive training for women and men who want to bring the healing, nurturing qualities of art to help physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged adults and children in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other public and private institutions dedicated to this crucial part of health care. The state-approved B.S. and B.F.A. degrees can lead to professional registration as an art therapist once the student completes a Master’s degree. The Master of Science in Art Therapy/Counseling program at CNR is unique in its integration of the creative process within therapeutic interventions in several bridge courses. For more information, go to www.cnr.edu.