Conference Thoughts

The 2012 AATA conference was reinvigorating for me this year. I haven't been down south in the summer for a few years and forgot how, once past the shock of being wrapped in the humidity, there is a earthy grounded feel to being outside. The weight of the air, smells of the earth, sounds of cicadas,and the look of Spanish moss hanging from the old trees. It's quite an experience!

I think the conference itself was smaller then usual because of its occurrence during the week instead of the usual Wed-Sun. It was sort of nice and by the end of the week I could recognize many faces. I met some new friends, gave a talk on Alzheimer's and art therapy and went to a delightful workshop on gardening as a metaphor for the aging process.

A couple highlights included getting to room with my friend Sibel, meeting a couple new Naropa grads, and seeing Michael Franklin. I think that's what the conference is really about for me. Reconnecting with my larger art therapy community. Especially doing contract work it's easy to lose the connection to and support of others. I really look forward each year to not only meeting new people, but to seeing Michael, Sibel, and other former classmates, teachers, and connections.

It propels me into the next set of challenges with renewed excitement in my work and life.