FATA Nominations - List of Candidates
FATA members are eligible to vote. Please check your email for a link to the ballot or email nominations.fata@gmail.com for more info.
President-Elect
Name: Alicia Ballestas, ATR-BC
City: Deerfield Beach, Florida
BIO:
Alicia is a bilingual (English and Spanish Speaking) Board-Certified Clinical Art Therapist. Her passion is to ignite the creative healing abilities that allow people to discover a world of expression and a deeper understanding of self. Alicia graduated from Long Island University, C.W Post and began her career in New York City where she holds a license in Creative Arts Therapy working with Immigrants adapting to the United States, and children in foster care along with their families.
Alicia is currently with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she provides art therapy services to children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental and emotional disorders. She believes that going through the process of art therapy allows the child/teen to tell a story using their own imagination and creativity which allows them to be themselves. After the Parkland shooting on February 14, 2018, she has great passion to serve the community, that she was a part of as an adolescent. With Shine MSD Alicia provides art therapy services for their creative arts therapies camp and programs throughout the school year.
Alicia advocates for creative art therapy in the community so that people understand the power of art therapy. The deep levels of connection that gets created between participants and within oneself is an experience that she would like more people to know about and have available to them. She is a chapter member of The Florida Art Therapy Association, professional member of the American Art Therapy Association, and a credentialed member of the Art Therapy Credentials Board. She has taken an active role in educating the community about art therapy through her participation in “The Real Art Therapists of New York,” a coloring book about art therapy and the significance of creativity as a contribution to one’s well-being.
Fun fact about yourself: I am part of the Peace Corp community, from 2008-2010 I lived in Jordan where I supported the village I lived in understand the potential an individual can have, regardless their specials needs. In addition to roaming around with goats in the vast dessert.
Why would I be great for the position:
Since I was a young, I have been described to be a good listener, and wondered if my skills can extend to be a part of a board’s organization, being a part of making decisions. I have passion for serving others and I believe that it is important to be a part of an organization that is related to my career. I would like to continue the mission in advocating for art therapy as a mental health profession, as well diverse and cultural proficient art therapist. I enjoy being a part of a team and looking for creative ways to achieve as a whole
City: Deerfield Beach, Florida
BIO:
Alicia is a bilingual (English and Spanish Speaking) Board-Certified Clinical Art Therapist. Her passion is to ignite the creative healing abilities that allow people to discover a world of expression and a deeper understanding of self. Alicia graduated from Long Island University, C.W Post and began her career in New York City where she holds a license in Creative Arts Therapy working with Immigrants adapting to the United States, and children in foster care along with their families.
Alicia is currently with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she provides art therapy services to children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental and emotional disorders. She believes that going through the process of art therapy allows the child/teen to tell a story using their own imagination and creativity which allows them to be themselves. After the Parkland shooting on February 14, 2018, she has great passion to serve the community, that she was a part of as an adolescent. With Shine MSD Alicia provides art therapy services for their creative arts therapies camp and programs throughout the school year.
Alicia advocates for creative art therapy in the community so that people understand the power of art therapy. The deep levels of connection that gets created between participants and within oneself is an experience that she would like more people to know about and have available to them. She is a chapter member of The Florida Art Therapy Association, professional member of the American Art Therapy Association, and a credentialed member of the Art Therapy Credentials Board. She has taken an active role in educating the community about art therapy through her participation in “The Real Art Therapists of New York,” a coloring book about art therapy and the significance of creativity as a contribution to one’s well-being.
Fun fact about yourself: I am part of the Peace Corp community, from 2008-2010 I lived in Jordan where I supported the village I lived in understand the potential an individual can have, regardless their specials needs. In addition to roaming around with goats in the vast dessert.
Why would I be great for the position:
Since I was a young, I have been described to be a good listener, and wondered if my skills can extend to be a part of a board’s organization, being a part of making decisions. I have passion for serving others and I believe that it is important to be a part of an organization that is related to my career. I would like to continue the mission in advocating for art therapy as a mental health profession, as well diverse and cultural proficient art therapist. I enjoy being a part of a team and looking for creative ways to achieve as a whole
Secretary
Full name: Amy Bucciarelli
City: Gainesville, FL
BIO:
Amy Bucciarelli is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is the Assistant Director of the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine program and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in arts in health and compassion. Amy has nearly fifteen-years of experience as an art therapist working primarily in medical settings with kids, their families, and their healthcare providers. Amy’s work focuses on empowering people to call upon their creativity capacity as they navigate chronic and critical medical issues. Amy has been invited to publish works and present at international conferences on topics such as: art therapy assessments, mandalas in art therapy, the therapeutic use of hand papermaking, technology and art therapy, and collaborations between art therapy and arts in health. Additionally, Amy has taught creativity, design thinking, and innovation for the UF Innovation Academy and is the co-developer of the UF Academy for Strategic Creativity - a solutions incubator and creative thinking training program for university administrators, faculty, and staff.
Amy's research is focused on art-based assessments. Currently she is working with Linda Gantt, the author of the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) Rating Manual, to finalize an updated version of the manual twenty-years after its original publication. The revised edition will include a new section for rating children's drawings. Amy is currently conducting a large-scale normative replica study with this assessment protocol. Amy also conducts research and continuing education training about mandalas and their symbolic language based on various psychological and art therapy developmental theories. In 2020-2021 Amy was selected as a Quest Inquiry Scholar and is exploring compassionate approaches to teaching.
Amy holds a BA in Religious Studies from Stetson University and a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from Florida State University. She spends her free time cooking with fresh herbs from her garden, hiking new terrains around the globe, or relaxing by the water. Amy’s life mission: to inspire people to, “Live a creative lifestyle”.
Fun fact about yourself: I have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Why would I be great for the position:
I would like to be of service to FATA. I regularly present at AATA conference demonstrating my leadership in the field as a clinician and art therapy-thinker. I have a lot of experience considering and talking about scope of practice and the roles of art therapists in the professional space due to my faculty position in an arts in health program. I currently serve on a Arts in Health Healthcare Workers Working Group COVID-19 Response meeting where I am the facilitator and not organizer, so I have experience in similar responsibilities to the Secretary role. I am organized, good at note taking, and can meet time-sensitive deadlines.
City: Gainesville, FL
BIO:
Amy Bucciarelli is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is the Assistant Director of the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine program and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in arts in health and compassion. Amy has nearly fifteen-years of experience as an art therapist working primarily in medical settings with kids, their families, and their healthcare providers. Amy’s work focuses on empowering people to call upon their creativity capacity as they navigate chronic and critical medical issues. Amy has been invited to publish works and present at international conferences on topics such as: art therapy assessments, mandalas in art therapy, the therapeutic use of hand papermaking, technology and art therapy, and collaborations between art therapy and arts in health. Additionally, Amy has taught creativity, design thinking, and innovation for the UF Innovation Academy and is the co-developer of the UF Academy for Strategic Creativity - a solutions incubator and creative thinking training program for university administrators, faculty, and staff.
Amy's research is focused on art-based assessments. Currently she is working with Linda Gantt, the author of the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) Rating Manual, to finalize an updated version of the manual twenty-years after its original publication. The revised edition will include a new section for rating children's drawings. Amy is currently conducting a large-scale normative replica study with this assessment protocol. Amy also conducts research and continuing education training about mandalas and their symbolic language based on various psychological and art therapy developmental theories. In 2020-2021 Amy was selected as a Quest Inquiry Scholar and is exploring compassionate approaches to teaching.
Amy holds a BA in Religious Studies from Stetson University and a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from Florida State University. She spends her free time cooking with fresh herbs from her garden, hiking new terrains around the globe, or relaxing by the water. Amy’s life mission: to inspire people to, “Live a creative lifestyle”.
Fun fact about yourself: I have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Why would I be great for the position:
I would like to be of service to FATA. I regularly present at AATA conference demonstrating my leadership in the field as a clinician and art therapy-thinker. I have a lot of experience considering and talking about scope of practice and the roles of art therapists in the professional space due to my faculty position in an arts in health program. I currently serve on a Arts in Health Healthcare Workers Working Group COVID-19 Response meeting where I am the facilitator and not organizer, so I have experience in similar responsibilities to the Secretary role. I am organized, good at note taking, and can meet time-sensitive deadlines.
Full Name: Lourdes Figueroa
City: Miami, Florida
Bio:
Lourdes “Lulu” Figueroa is a Florida visual artist and a 2020 graduate of Pratt's Low Residency graduate program in Creative Arts Therapy.
Her dedication to art therapy has provided opportunities working in addiction recovery, crisis support, psychiatric rehabilitation, and community day centers. Her current artwork relates to themes of abundance, transformation, and ingenuity.
Fun Fact:
My nickname, Lulu, came from a French perfume commercial my mom saw when she was pregnant with me. OR I didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until I was 17 years old.
Why I would be great for the position:
As secretary you have to be organized and have great communication skills; two things which I value greatly. I also love my field and want to help create more awareness of the amazing things Art Therapist are doing!
City: Miami, Florida
Bio:
Lourdes “Lulu” Figueroa is a Florida visual artist and a 2020 graduate of Pratt's Low Residency graduate program in Creative Arts Therapy.
Her dedication to art therapy has provided opportunities working in addiction recovery, crisis support, psychiatric rehabilitation, and community day centers. Her current artwork relates to themes of abundance, transformation, and ingenuity.
Fun Fact:
My nickname, Lulu, came from a French perfume commercial my mom saw when she was pregnant with me. OR I didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until I was 17 years old.
Why I would be great for the position:
As secretary you have to be organized and have great communication skills; two things which I value greatly. I also love my field and want to help create more awareness of the amazing things Art Therapist are doing!
The Executive Board
President
Kelly L. Burns, MA, LMHC, ATR
Kelly L. Burns, MA, LMHC, ATR
President Elect
Stephanie Wray, MAAT, ATR-P, LMHC Intern
Stephanie Wray, MAAT, ATR-P, LMHC Intern
Secretary
Lourdes Figueroa, ATRP
Lourdes Figueroa, ATRP
Treasurer
Franchesca Lastra Vicente, MS, ATR-BC, LMHC
Franchesca Lastra Vicente, MS, ATR-BC, LMHC
Media and Publications Chair
Elia Khalaf, MA, ATR-P
Elia Khalaf, MA, ATR-P
Membership Chair
Amanda Shaw MA, ATR-P, MHCI
Amanda Shaw MA, ATR-P, MHCI
Student Representative
Nicole Rivero
Nicole Rivero
Scholarship Committee
Marla Berger, LMHC, ATR, RPT-S
Marla Berger, LMHC, ATR, RPT-S
Scholarship Committee
Raquel Ferrell-Kirk, MS, ATRBC
Raquel Ferrell-Kirk, MS, ATRBC
Multicultural Committee
Deanna Barton, MA, ATR-BC
Deanna Barton, MA, ATR-BC
Multicultural Committee
Alicia Ballestas, MA, ATR-BC
Alicia Ballestas, MA, ATR-BC
Multicultural Committee
Paula Hammond, MA, ATR-BC
Paula Hammond, MA, ATR-BC
Multicultural Committee
Susan Berkowitz-Schwarts, MPS, ARR-BC
Susan Berkowitz-Schwarts, MPS, ARR-BC
Nominating Chair
Jasmine Parker, MA, ATR
Jasmine Parker, MA, ATR
Government Affairs Chair
Joseph Scarce, MA, MFT, ATR-BC
Opportunities to join us:
Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters
Alternate delegate to the Assembly of Chapters
Historian
Parliamentarian
Government Affairs Committee
Ethics
Multicultural Chair
Multicultural Committee
Community Support
State Conference Chair
State Conference Committee
Liaison to AATA