Board of Directors
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President: Makiko Harada (Young), MA, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT
In 2024, she was elected as the firs Asian president for NY Art Therapy Association.
She currently offers lectures on ethics and multi-culturalism. She was chosen as the Movers and Shakers of by Newsweek Japan. She also owns glamsalt, a couture salt business. She has been providing jewel like salts to fine restaurants and shops throught the US.
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Advisory Board: Deb Brass
Deb Brass is an Art Therapist working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center where she founded and runs the Staff Wellness Program, providing mental health support to hospital employees and patients. Deb is also an Art Therapist in private practice and an adjunct faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College where she teaches courses in Art Therapy. Deb has previously served as President and President-elect on the NYATA Board of DIrectors and is pleased to return to Board service in the role of Advisor.
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Membership Chair: Shirin Mazdeyasna, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
Shirin is an Iranian artist, a board certified and registered Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. As a certified rape crisis counselor, she offers trauma therapy to survivors of crime and prolonged abuse in the Upper Hudson Valley, NY. Shirin received her MA in Art Therapy from New York University and has subsequently been trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. Shirin is fluent to conduct treatment in English and Farsi.
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Programming Chair: Jasmine Li, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT-LP
An art therapist who recently completed her studies at NYU, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience from her time in community-based and healthcare settings during graduate school. She has worked with individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds, using art therapy for healing and personal development. Committed to making a positive impact, she's eager to bring her passion to the NY chapter, crafting events where each member feels valued, empowered, and inspired!
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Social Media and Public Relations Chair: Stephy Hsu, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT-LP
Stephy completed her studies at NYU and has extensive experience in various settings. During graduate school, she worked in correctional settings, with children aged 0-5, adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder, and the elderly with Parkinson's disease. Currently, specializes in supporting clients navigating postpartum depression. She also plays an active role in advancing art therapy in China and Taiwan, collaborating with non-profit organizations and schools to advocate for mental health and well-being while consistently conducting public workshops and lectures to enhance awareness of art therapy in these regions.
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Social Justice Chair: Tanvi Mehta
Tanvi holds a Master's in Art Therapy and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Design and Management, embodying a unique blend of creativity and strategy. With a fervent dedication to creative storytelling, Tanvi, adept in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, thrives in dynamic settings as a strategic researcher exploring innovative techniques to illuminate social relationships. Her vision is to utilize her mindfulness expertise, design thinking skills, educational background, and integrative experience to cultivate safe and expressive environments for individuals. Through her holistic approach, she endeavors to facilitate healing and self-expression, empowering individuals to navigate their inner worlds with confidence and authenticity.
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Continuing Education Chair: Bethany Altschwager, DAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LCAT
Bethany Altschwager is an art therapist, art therapy educator, and art therapy supervisor. She holds a doctorate of art therapy from Mount Mary University. Her primary areas of interest are trauma, digital media, and fiber arts. She has over ten years of clinical experience in community-based and healthcare settings with people from diverse backgrounds and across the lifespan. She has presented at over a dozen conferences and taught graduate level courses in art therapy at Caldwell University, Mount Mary University, New York University, the School of Visual Arts, and West Liberty University.
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Governmental affairs liaison: D. Christina Ranjani, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS
Christina has been working as an Art Therapist since 2015. Her experience is mostly in Adult Inpatient Psychiatry. However, she has also worked on Detox, Medical, Geriatrics, CPEP, Neurology, and COVID-19 units. She is dedicated to her work with Patients & enjoys supervising graduate interns & new therapists- to further the development of the Art Therapy field. Christina also holds a Master's of Science in Addiction Counseling.
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Advocacy liaison chair: Melissa Ulloa, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
Melissa Ulloa (She/Her/Ella) is a bilingual licensed creative arts therapist, board-certified art psychotherapist, supervisor, teacher, artist, musician, activist, partner, sister, and proud daughter of Peruvian immigrants. She has over 7 years of clinical experience and currently works at New York Presbyterian Hospital's Family PEACE (Preventing Early Adverse Childhood Experiences) Trauma Treatment Center (FPTTC) at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Outside of work, she finds it joy in social activism in her community, painting, yoga, running, connecting to nature, cooking, learning the zampoña, quena, charrango, and Quechua language.