Nationally Registered Board Certified Art Therapist & Fine Artist

What is an ATR-BC?
Today's art therapists come from a wide variety of educational experiences.  A board certified art therapist is one who has passed a board certification exam, given by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).  This exam creates some uniformity in the scope of practice in the field of art therapy.

Some states consider this exam a licensing exam.  At this time Oregon does not.

ATCB definition of Art Therapy
Code of Ethics can be found here

The ATCB states:

"The ATCB Board has established the following as related mental health fields: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry."

~Individual Art Therapy

In Individual Art Therapy, you are encouraged to explore and use the safety of art, the session and your support person to express thoughts and feelings, in a place where criticism and judgment are not  present.  Art Therapy provides individuals an opportunity to explore personal problems and potentials utilizing both verbal and non-verbal expression.  Everyone experiences challenges in life.  Some might take longer then others to overcome them.  Many creative individuals have found a way to use art to transform their pain and struggles into pure expression that not only benefited them in the experience, but also those who came into contact with their work. 

"In my work with clients, I use an eclectic approach, tailoring to the needs of each individual client.  My work with clients can be long term or brief.  Some clients begin with talk therapy and some begin art in our first session.  I see the art my clients create as a safe holding space or a “transitional object." This approach works with anyone and provides one with the opportunity to project struggles and/or concerns interfering with daily life while addressing them in a structured and safe environment."

~Artistic Support

In addition to my clinical training at Marylhurst University, I have also been showing my own art nationally since the 1980's.  With an undergraduate training in the fine arts, I can support your process while understanding the complexities of media.  In addition to an art therapist, I am also a writer, painter and assemblage artist.

~Professional Development Coach

Training/education is not all a clinician needs to build and navigate the private practive world.  In addition to vital clinical training, clinicians in private practice also have to contend with business and marketing.  In a time when you would like to start your own practice, Short is available to coach you one on one in developing your professional identity by aiding in creating a strong resume, interviewing, creating website content, online/print marketing and more.

~ATR Supervision

Any mental health clinician who has not received a Master's in Art therapy may not be a true art therapist.  When a clinician has an ATR they are a registered art therapist and have fulfilled the requirements of the ATCB (Art Therapy Credentials Board).  In order to become a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) the ATCB requires the completion of master’s level education (including art therapy core curriculum and supervised practicum and internship experiences), as well as post-education supervised clinical experience.  Short provides supervision in both a 1:1 and group format.
For more details regarding requirements and to search for a provider in your area please see the Art Therapy Credentials Board

If you are interested in a phone consultation for more information please call (503) 341-7280 or email me directly at bethann@the100thmonkeystudio.com

Office Hours: Days, some evenings and weekend
ATR Supervision: Yes
Credentials/Licenses: ATR-BC Nationally Registered Art Therapist with ATCB since 2001(Board Certified 2009)
Member of the American Art Therapy Associaion since 1997
Treatment Age(s): 8 years through adult
Sliding Scale: Yes ($60-$90 based on household income)
Accept Insurance: No
Specialties: Individual, some family and group therapy. Methods may include art therapy, PhotoTherapy, sandtray therapy and verbal process. 
Professional Development advising and coaching for mental health clinicians.
Areas of specific clinical interest include: Type 1 Diabetes work with youth, separation, grief/loss, chronic & terminal medical conditions.

Short comes from the Great Lakes region, living in both Michigan and Ontario throughout her youth.  Short attended Alma College for her undergraduate degrees, double majoring in Art and English.  Short has a Masters in Art Therapy from Marylhurst University and is a nationally registered & board certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board and a member of the American Art Therapy Association.  Short has worked in an array of community mental health settings as a QMHP, including: medical, outpatient, inpatient, juvenile justice, school-based settings and with at-risk youth.  Short has worked with groups, couples, families and individuals. 

Currently Short has a small private practice, provides in-service presentations and sits on panels to inform the public about the benefits of Art Therapy.  Short also sits on the ATCB Credential Committee.