In the role of Art Center Director in my second summer with Camp Ramapo, I supervised five art counselors as we delivered expressive therapies to 200 campers. Ranging in age from 4 to 24, these campers presented with a range of social, emotional, and behavioral needs. In addition to planning lessons and curriculum, my role included providing therapeutic interventions and in-service training for the other counselors and managing crises. I also held individual and group meetings to facilitate an understanding of social justice between the campers and the counselors. ✦ To help with potential burnout of staff living and working with special needs campers, I implemented a self-care program and art activities that provided a stress outlet, bonding opportunities, and fun. ✦ The camper art gallery I created allowed the campers to show off their art to their parents.

My work at Academics West — an alternative private school — included counseling 20- middle school students with executive function issues. I served on the case management team, maintained all clinical documentation, communicated regularly with parents, and participated in clinical and staff meetings. ✦ My students built and painted the props and scenery for a school play.✦ In partnership with another therapist, we developed and presented on the benefits of art therapy for the 30-member staff.

As a Visual Arts Specialist for a community-based after-school program serving mainstream children, I managed 15 after-school groups including periodically reviewing participant progress on youth development outcomes. I also supervised two counselors-in-training in working with 200 students in K-8 including assigning duties, providing feedback, helping them think through issues, assisting with lesson plans, and time management.

My patients in this role were autistic children ages 6-8 with co-morbid intellectual and behaviorial issues. I provided in-home therapy and coordinated regular communication and scheduling with the family, the case manager, and my supervisor.

This internship involved working with non-neurotypical students on the autism spectrum and those with undiagnosed behavioral and emotional issues. ✦ I developed a 12-week program for 5th- and 6th-grade girls that addressed bullying, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. ✦ As part of my thesis research, I administered and calculated scores of a cognitive-based visual arts test to neurotypical and autistic students.

In this internship, I worked with 25 autistic students ages 7-12. ✦ I created an art gallery exhibit for the students and organized a reception for the parents to see their work.✦ To inform parents and faculty of the benefits and techniques of art therapy, I led several in-service programs.

This internship involved working with adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, associative identity disorder, and bipolar disorder. In addition to my inpatient work, I co-facilitated the outpatient group which supported recently released patients.