Welcome to the Northern California Art Therapy Association Website
The Northern California Art Therapy Association (NorCATA) is a California Art Therapy organization dedicated to representing Art Therapists from an educational, professional development, training, and political action standpoint. In addition, NorCATA will pursue the highest professional and ethical standards to protect the public that it serves.
Art Therapy offers an opportunity to explore personal problems and potentials through verbal and non-verbal expression and to develop physical, emotional and/or learning skills through therapeutic art experiences. Although visual forms of expression have been basic to societies throughout recorded history, Art Therapy emerged as a profession in the 1930's.
The use of art as therapy is the recognition of art forms, content, processes and associations as reflections of an individual's personality, interests, fears and developmental abilities. Art Therapy implies that the creative process can be a means of fostering self-awareness and personal growth, as well as reconciling emotional conflicts. It can be used as treatment as well as an evaluation of groups and individuals of any age.
There is a growing interest in utilizing visual art in therapy and we would like to address the issue of adequate and specific training in the realm of symbolic expression. This letter is in the service of assisting educational facilities and other agencies with information regarding the field of Art Therapy. Art Therapy is predicated on the belief that as a creative and therapeutic discipline, it is unique and demands rigorous academic and practical training.
Through the observation and analysis of behavior, art products and client communications, the Art Therapist formulates diagnostic assessments and treatment plans as an inclusive and unique service. Art Therapists integrate training and experience in art and therapy with theories of human behavior, a knowledge of visual symbol production, an understanding of normal and abnormal behavior and development and training in interventions and methods, applying a holistic approach to treatment.
In order to become an "ATR" (Registered Art Therapist), Art Therapy students must complete a master's degree or a post masters certificate level training program. Competency begins after graduation when interns are required to acquire at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact using Art Therapy. These hours must be supervised by a credential therapist with a minimum of 500 hours supervised by an ATR. Art Therapists can then apply for the national board certification examination. The successful examinee may then use the credential designation of ATR-BC.
In order to sufficiently provide both the theoretical foundation and the practical application of Art Therapy, qualified instructors must meet the field's professional and educational requirements.
We represent the Northern California Art Therapy Association (NorCATA). NorCATA is an official affiliate and local chapter of the National organization, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). AATA is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process of making art is inherently healing and life enhancing.
As representatives of the local chapter of AATA, we welcome the opportunity to assist you in obtaining qualified, experienced Art Therapy instructors. Our referrals will provide you with Art Therapists who maintain the highest level of professional and ethical standards.
The Northern California Art Therapy Association (NorCATA) is an affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). It is a non-profit organization that:
- Promotes the therapeutic use of art throughout Northern California
- Promotes professional development through lectures, workshops, and conferences
- Promotes public awareness of Art Therapy through instructional presentations to community agencies
- Fosters networking and the development of support groups for Art Therapists through regional meetings
- Publishes a quarterly newsletter
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A C H A P T E R O F T H E A M E R I C A N A R T T H E R A P Y A S S O C I A T I O N
A B O U T N o r C A T A
O U R M I S S I O N
E T H I C S
Social Networking
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Advertise
your private practice
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of www.norcata.org
for only $25
Take advantage of this limited-time offer and join NorCATA's Therapist Finder for half off the annual fee!
Join now and enjoy front page advertising until December 2012!
Offer extended to Members Only
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day to be held across the country in May, with the special national event to be next week on May 9, 2012
Among the many art therapy chapter events and programs honoring the SAMHSA 2012 focus of building resilience in the aftermath of trauma for youth from birth through 18-years, a national "Heroes of Hope" exhibit will be held in Washington, DC, as a way to draw attention to the importance of art therapy in mental health and resilience particualrly with young people. Visit SAMHSA’s website throughout the year to learn how you can participate – http://www.samhsa.gov/children/
Click here to learn about the Benefits of Collaborating on Awareness Day Year Round, http://www.samhsa.gov/children/benefits.asp Last year, the national theme focused on building resilience in young children dealing with trauma. Communities around the country participated by holding their own Awareness Day events, focusing either on the national theme, or adapting the theme to the populations they serve. Click here to open the "2011 Short Report: Helping Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events". Save the date for Awareness Day 2012 — Wednesday, May 9, 2012!
MEMBERSHIP FAQ's
What are the benefits of becoming a NorCATA member?
Free quarterly workshops and e-newsletters. Access to our members only section of www.norcata.org, that includes a supervisor search and ability to register for workshops on-line. You can advertise your private practice and job postings and connect with other art therapy professionals to maintain your art therapist identity and strengthen our field.
How much is a year of membership cost?
$35 dollars for Credentialed and Active Professionals; $25 dollars for Students, Associates, and Friends; Free with proof for Retired Professionals; Free for Honorary Life Time members. See membership page for details of each membership type.
I'm a student or a mental health professional in another discipline but very interested in art therapy can I join NorCATA?
Yes! We welcome you to join with as an associate member. Attending workshops and local regional meetings is a great way to learn more about the use of art therapy and connect with other professionals supportive of the use of creative arts in healing.
Why have I not received a mailing related to the 2012 membership drive?
We at NorCATA have adopted a green mission to decrease our use of paper/resources. The membership drive is now paperless. To become a member you can do so here on www.norcata.org or attend the annual business meeting or a workshop and pay in person (with no extra fee).
Help, I am new to NorCATA and I want to know how to join?
Visit www.norcata.org and you will see a membership link on the front page. Click on this link and see descriptions of membership levels. Make your selection by clicking the paypal/subscription button below the membership type that best fits you. You do not need a pay pal account and can pay by credit card, just ignore request to log in or join paypal, there is always an option to proceed without it.
Once you have completed the payment process you will receive an e-mail with your receipt. You will also receive a second e-mail that provides you with the login and password you will need to get into our members only section of www.norcata.org. If you do not see these e-mails in your inbox, please check in your spam folder. Note that the password may take 3-5 business days to work, as your account needs to be processed. If you try to log in before that time you will be redirected to a home screen with blank log in box. After your account has been processed you will log in and see a screen that says "Congratulations!!! you have successfully logged into NorCATA."
When you are able to log in click"Manage Your Account Profile" and add your full name, address, region and credentials to our database. This information is used for the NorCATA board to identify you, and unless you select to be in the members-only directory it will not be viewed by others.
Help, I was a member years ago and now want to renew on-line, what do I do?
Our new on-line system has no knowledge of members previous to 2010. So you will go to www.norcata.org and click on "Membership: NEW MEMBERS" as you will be new to our on-line database. See the above question for more details on the process.
Help, I was a 2011 member and want to renew for 2012, what do I do?
Visit www.NorCATA.org and login using the login and password you were given in 2010. Once you are logged in you will be brought instantly to a screen with "renew your membership" on the top and membership types and payment buttons. Select the "paypal/pay now" button below your appropriate membership type and then follow the prompts. You do not need to have a paypal account or use a paypal account, simply ignore all requests to do so and use a credit card. Once you have paid in your e-mail you will receive an e-mail from both norcata (login/password) and paypal (receipt). This process will generate a new account for you. To maintain your profile information and allow you to maintain the same login and password our membership director will be manually deleting the new account and will re-activate your old account. Please allow 5 business days for this process to be complete, and then you will be ready to again access the members only section when visiting www.norcata.org.
How do I know if I am a current member?
We have suspended all expired 2010 accounts, so if you log in using your NorCATA login and password and are brought instantly to a screen with membership types and payment buttons then you are needing to renew. If you have never paid on line and/or received a on-line password/login name then you most likely have not been a member since before 2010 and its time to "become a new member" in our new on-line system.
I just joined in October why am I being asked to renew?
NorCATA, like many professional organizations including the American Art Therapy Association, collects dues annually at the beginning of each year. To ensure you get use of your full benefits be sure to renew in December or January.
Do I really need to "Manage My Profile"?
Yes! Once you are a current 2012 member please be sure to login at www.norcata.org and click on "Manage Your Profile." If you do not complete this information we only have an e-mail address as your identification and contact, with no name, credentials, region, or address attached. Also this is where you can select to be in our on-line members only directory and listed as a supervisor. If you intend to be in our directory it is recommended that you use your work or preferred professional contact information when completing the profile. If you chose not to be in the directory your address can be viewed only the board and will be used to send out important information including voting ballots.
Can I still pay by check and mail in my membership application?
Yes, however we now have a $15 dollar processing fee for use of the paper application. This fee is waived however if you attend our annual business meeting or a workshop and provide your check and application in person.
Do I need a pay pal account to pay on-line membership?
No. You can pay by credit card. Just select the button for payment and it will five you a credit card option. Ignore any prompts to get a paypal account, its not needed.
I just became a member on-line and my provided password did not work, why?
It takes 3-5 business days for your payment and account to be verified, please try again later.
You will know when your account is processed because when you log in you will see "Congratulations!!! You have successfully logged into NorCATA" instead of being returned back to the home page with a blank login box.
I don't remember my username or password, what do I do?
Visit www. norcata.org and go to the login box and look for "Lost your username or password, find it here." If you click the word "here" it is a link to help you get your lost information.
Who do I send my change of address to?
With our new on-line system you can change your address any time.
Visit www.norcata.org. Enter your username and password. Click on "Manage Your Account Profile."
Edit your information and it is instantly changed in our system.
I did not receive the NorCATA e-newsletter, why not?
If you are a current member (you have a user name and password that our site generated for you) it could be the e-mail went to your spam folder. For the future, please be sure that e-mails from info@norcata.org don't go to your spam folder. To access newsletter you may have missed visit www.norcata.org as all past newsletters are posted on our site.
How can I be included in the on-line membership directory?
Current members can select to be included in the on-line directory by visiting www.norcata.org. Enter your username and password to log on and then click on "Manage Your Account Profile." There is an option to be included in the members only directory. Please use your work address or the preferred professional contact when completing your profile.
I do not want to be included in the on-line membership directory, should I still give an address?
Yes. If you do not select in your profile that you would like to be included in the members only directory your address is still needed and will only be used for board members to send out important information, such as voting ballots.
I don't like to use e-mail and am not comfortable on a computer, can I still be a member?
Yes, however a majority of a membership benefits are not on-line and you would be missing out on them. NorCATA is keeping up with the current trends and use of modern technology to make our communication more cost effective and efficient and so our newsletter and notification of events now come via e-mail. We value all our membership and hope those not as comfortable on a computer will connect with other art therapist in there region to get support in making this transition. Regional Reps in your area are a good resource for both having face to face interactions and getting help with our new on-line system.
December 2012 AATA Newsletter
online
The AATA December 2012 Newsletter is available online! Find out more about the July Conference in Savannah and the PUSH PIN art exhibit they are hosting. Get more information on the Department of Labor Statistics on the categorization of Art Therapy as it's own job category.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
We are dedicated to improving your online Membership Registration and Membership Renewal experience. The NorCATA membership database has recently been upgraded to accommodate our fast-growing community! And thanks to your continuous feedback, we are better able to iron out the wrinkles in our paperless system.
To encourage completion and maintenance of member profiles, all Members will be directed to the Edit Profile page after login. If your information is complete and correct, just press "submit" to continue.
