SOUTH TEXAS ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION

The South Texas Art Therapy Association (STATA) is an affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association. The purpose of this association is to progressively develop the therapeutic use of art, advance research, improve standards of practice and to provide vehicles for the exchange of information and experience. The objectives of this association are to aim treatment most effectively toward rehabilitation and the improvement of human welfare, improve the effectiveness of those engaged in art therapy through the means of meetings and seminars, provide a professional support system for the profession and its practitioners regionally, encourage the development of professional training opportunities in art therapy and to inform people about the field of art therapy.

OUR OBJECTIVES

• to aim treatment most effectively toward rehabilitation and the improvement of human welfare

• to improve the effectiveness of those engaged in art therapy through the means of meetings and seminars

• to provide a professional support system for the profession and its practitioners regionally

• to encourage the development of professional training opportunities in art therapy

• to inform people about the field of art therapy.

Meet the Board

Jason Gans is an ATR-BC LPC born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who studied animation in New York City at Pratt Institute in 1999. He taught middle school Art in Austin, Texas from 2007-2010 before finding his passion and sought to continue an education in Art Therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since returning to Austin in 2015, Jason has facilitated Group Art Therapy at Shoal Creek Hospital. His exuberance resides in the creation of unique directives in comic book format for patients at any level to engage meaningfully in the art making process. Jason’s personal art engages social media and the local community with the goal of teaching coping skills, mindfulness, and healthy communication.

Deborah Trejo is a 3rd year graduate student pursuing a degree as a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialization in Art Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She is a low-residency student who currently lives in Georgetown, TX. Before pursuing her masters, Deborah was an art educator in public schools across Texas for 10 years. Deborah’s passion to pursue Art Therapy was sparked by the summers she spent creating art with children in hospital settings. She believes in the beautiful unity of arts and healing.

Kami Land is an LPC, ATR-BC, and LCDC who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Kami proudly identifies as a Native American citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and currently serves as a full-time art therapist at a reputable group practice in Austin, Texas. Specializing in aiding individuals and families in navigating and alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression, Kami seamlessly integrates cultural sensitivity into her therapeutic approach. Kami's expertise encompasses various focus areas, including addiction recovery, co-occurring disorders, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, as well as providing support for individuals through various life transitions. Beyond her professional commitments, Kami finds joy in spending quality time with her two daughters and she channels her artistic spirit into her various personal projects.

Sara Blevins-Ranes, MA, LPC, ATR (they/them) is a graduate of The George Washington University with an MA in Art Therapy and a dual BA in Psychology and Pre-Art Therapy with a History minor and a certificate in Arts in Cognition from Converse University.  Mx. Blevins-Ranes currently serves as the South Texas Art Therapy Association’s (STATA) Government Affairs Representative as well as the Secretary of the non-profit Coalition for Queer Creative Arts Therapies, Inc., in addition to serving as the Outreach Committee Chair for the Coalition’s annual Expressing Pride Symposium. They have previously co-presented at the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) conference as well as the SEPA conference. They are currently practicing at a group practice in San Antonio, TX, where they focus on providing neuroaffirming and queer-affirming services to kids, adolescents, and adults through trauma-informed art therapy and play therapy-informed services. 

Jenson Maydew is a LPAT and ATR-BC (she/her) who received her Master’s from the University of Louisville. She has worked in several different settings including on call in-home crisis therapy, adult psychiatric hospitals, adult oncology, and pediatric medical hospitals. She currently works at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston as the acute/critical care Art Therapist. Jenson recently started a student internship at Texas Children's to hopefully get more Art Therapists in Texas! When Jenson isn't advocating for the field she is traveling, at a professional sporting event, or trying a new Houston restaurant.

Lisa Tranquill was born and raised in Rochester New York and obtained her Art Therapy master’s degree there from Nazareth University. Shortly after she graduated, she moved to San Antonio Texas in April 2021 in hopes for full time employment as an Art Therapist. She landed her first full-time position as an Art Therapist at an in-patient Texas state psychiatric center. Lisa is currently interested in developing her part-time faith-based private practice to provide quality care among Texans. Lisa’s background experience is in early childhood education. She also worked with children and adults with IDD and ASD. Lisa’s experience also includes her work with Veterans, both in New York and Texas. Lisa has found a personal connection with using art for healing and inspires to share her faith and love for people and art with others.

Interested in serving on the board? Nominate yourself or someone you know for the interested position by emailing us at: stxarttherapy@gmail.com — We will be in touch about next steps for the upcoming election.

Ready to get involved but not sure you can commit to a position? Complete this Volunteer Registration Form and someone will follow up with you