Creative Connections: Combatting Isolation for Seniors Aging in Place through Art Therapy

“Creative Connections” is an Art Therapy group with the primary goal of providing an isolated population with an opportunity for socialization through art making—the result of a 2 year collaboration between Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley and the Cedar Crest College Master of Art in Art Therapy program, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, that began in June 2023. In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of community based art therapy for seniors aging in place, particularly when the group involves intergenerational dialogue. The group is now on its sixth consecutive semester and has been a meaningful experience for all of its participants.

This 2 CE online event is offered by the LCAT Advocacy Coalition as a fundraiser for ongoing legislative advocacy in New York State to increase access to the creative arts therapists and to protect the rights of current clients who depend on insurance to access these therapies.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn 2-3 benefits of socialization through art making for seniors aging in place.
• Learn  the potential value of intergenerational dialogue for graduate and undergraduate art therapy students.

Presenter:  Casey Burke, MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC

Casey is a board certified and New York State licensed Creative Arts Therapist, who graduated with her Masters in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute in 2012. Casey has utilized the medium of art therapy with a variety of populations including children on the autism spectrum, adults with developmental delays, families in the child welfare system, and women living with HIV and AIDS. Casey is currently an Internship Coordinator and full-time faculty member in Cedar Crest College’s Masters of Art in Art Therapy program. She also currently facilitates groups for adolescents and teens in the juvenile justice system and has been trained in evidence based and trauma focused approaches. 

CEs are available for NYS LCSW, LMSW, LMFT, LCAT, LMHC, and Licensed Psychologists. New York Creative Arts Therapists, PLLC, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board as a provider for licensed social workers #0275, licensed creative arts therapists #CAT-0026, licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0065. LMFT and Licensed Psychologists.