Dana Elmendorf
Dana Elmendorf, ATR-BC, LPC is the Program Director of the 茄子视频 Graduate Art Therapy with Specialization in Counseling Program. Prior to joining the 茄子视频 faculty full-time, she provided art therapy and counseling services in a variety of settings which included homeless and domestic violence shelters, geriatric partial programs, community mental health centers for adults managing mental illness and inpatient psychiatric facilities focusing on behavioral health. This variety of professional experience brings a practical perspective to teaching from the front lines of mental health care and along the continuum of care. In addition to experience in clinical mental health work she continues to facilitate arts experiences within community-based settings which have included work with unhoused individuals and individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Throughout her career, Dana has always been eager to explore the world around her and has lived and worked overseas in Thailand while traveling extensively throughout South East Asia and Europe. Stories of these experiences are woven into teaching, and Dana encourages students to think from diverse and multiple points of view while consistently seeking to disrupt assumptions and stereotypes of others. A mantra for her lifelong learning is, " The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust
Education
MA, Expressive Therapy, Art Therapy Concentration, Lesley University, (Cambridge, MA) , 1985
BA, Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA) 1982
Publications
Elmendorf, D. (2022). Pathways to developing a career in art therapy. In Meera Rastogi, Rachel P. Feldwisch,et al, Foundations of art therapy: Theory and applications. Academic Press
Elmendorf, D. (2010). Minding our P鈥檚 through Q鈥檚: Addressing possibilities and precautions of community work through new questions. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 27(1) pp.40-43.
Awards
Honorary Life Member (2019) - granted by the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association
Presidential Award for Exemplary Service (2016) 鈥 granted by the American Art Therapy Association
Prevention Award (2015) 鈥 granted by Mental Health America of Southwest PA. For providing a wide variety of professional experiences bringing a practical perspective to teaching at the front lines of mental health work.
Barbara Gittings Activist of the Year (2007) - granted by Equality Advocates Pennsylvania
Organizations
American Art Therapy Association
Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association
American Counseling Association
Pennsylvania Counseling Association
Presentations
Elmendorf, D. Intersections of Art Therapy and Mental Health. Presentation to the Mental Health America, SW PA Conference, Greensburg, PA, December 2, 2022.
Elmendorf, D. Possibilities and Pathways for Counselors to Become Board-Certified Art Therapists. Presentation to the 54th Pennsylvania Counseling Association Conference. Pittsburgh, PA, October 14-16, 2022
Elmendorf, D. Program Accreditation - What It Is and Isn鈥檛: ACATE and CAAHEP Overview. Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019
Elmendorf, D., Goebl-Parker, S., Pannirselvam, G., Meaningful Quality Improvement: Assessment Plan Design for Educational Programs. Presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019
Elmendorf, D. Program Accreditation - What It Is and Isn鈥檛: ACATE and CAAHEP Overview. Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019
Elmendorf, D. What鈥檚 New in Art Therapy Education? Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. November 8-12, 2017
Art Therapy Education Continuum: Undergraduate to Doctorate, Panel presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. November 8-12, 2017
Elmendorf, D. Integrating the Arts into the Continuum of Care, Presentation for Veteran Community Partnerships (VCP). October 11, 2016.
Art Therapy Education Continuum: Undergraduate to Doctorate, Panel presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference: Trailblazing the Future. San Antonio, TX, July 9-13, 2014.
Elmendorf,D. "Using Creative Approaches for Trauma Recovery: Theories and Principles of Ethical Practice". Presentation offered through the Dialogue and Resolution Center of the Center for Victims of VIolence and Crime, Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 2012.
Elmendorf, D & Ghubril, P. "The Synergy of Hope: Combining Resiliency Theory and Creativity in Counseling", Presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October 2011.
Elmendorf, D. & Denninger, N. "Creative Responses to Client Creativity in Counseling: A Master Supervision Opportunity for New Professionals", Pre-conference workshop presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October, 2011.
Elmendorf, D. & Veri, J. "It Begins With Us: Therapist Reactions to Transgender Clients", Presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October, 2009. Also presented to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. July, 2009 and the American Counseling Association Annual Conference. Pittsburgh, PA, March, 2010.
Panel presentation, "Creative Arts Therapy and Ethics鈥 and 鈥淎rt Therapy Breakout鈥. Presented April, 2008 for the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
Elmendorf, D. "Art Therapy" Presented July 2008 for the Hillman Cancer Center 2008 Summer Series: Creative Arts Therapies
Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (LPC), 2003-present
Board Certified Art Therapist with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATR-BC), 2003 - present
Achievements
Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), Chair 2015- 2018, Coordinator 2019 - 2024.
American Art Therapy Association Master鈥檚 Education Standards Revision Task Force, Co-Chair, 2013 - 2015
Served as Member of Ad-Hoc Editor Search Committee and also the Education Committee for the American Art Therapy Association
Served as Chair of the 茄子视频 University Professional Development Committee
Served as Board member of the Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association (GPCA)
Served as Chair of the Registration Standards Committee for the Art Therapy Credentials Board