Masters of Art in Art Therapy, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1989.

The studies at SAIC included clinical psychiatry with medical students at Rush Presbyterian Hospital,
both diagnosis and treatment, through the DSM III.  The psychology studies were eclectic, including
Freud, Jung, Campbell, Harriet Wadeson, Skinner, Pavlov.  Faculty included Abby Calisch, and Don
Seiden, thesis instructor David Henley.

Teaching  Experience:

Art Therapy Internships:  
* Special needs high school students at Clemente high School in Chicago, including learning disabled,
behavior disorders, gang members;
* Voluntary psychiatric ward at Illinois Psychiatric Institute with adults;
* Creative Development Center in Chicago with children ages 6 – 14.

Experience:
* Over 6 years of service as a leader of hospital-based rehabilitation and activity therapy programs
educating, managing and motivating staff and clients.
* Design and implementation of art therapy curriculum, including painting, drawing, current events,
grooming, social skills, color theory, ceramics, mural making, homemaking, storytelling, reading, poetry,
writing
* Participation in the NAEMI (National Art Exhibit for the Mentally Ill)

Teaching-Related Employers:
* South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center, Miami, Florida
--Rehabilitation Therapist, specializing in Art Therapy for residents Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity or
Unfit to Stand Trial
* American Family Counseling Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
--Art Therapist, Independent Contractor, treating women with bulimic and anorexic disorders
* Elgin Mental Health Center, Elgin, Illinois
--Activity Therapist, specializing in Art Therapy for Geriatric Psychiatric, Sex Offenders, Chronic
Schizophrenia and Forensics residents
* Creative Development Center, Chicago, Illinois
--Art Therapy internship with children ages 6 - 14
* Clemente High School, Chicago, Illinois
--Art Therapy internship with urban high school students with special needs
* Tenet Healthcare Systems, Miami, Florida
--Activity Therapist, specializing in Art Therapy, treating adolescents and depressed geriatrics

Although licensing is not yet available for art therapists in the State of Florida, I am a Registered Art
Therapist with the American Art Therapy Association.  I am available to teach art and the process of art
making to individuals who do not require hospitalization and as an independent contractor with
hospitalized or outpatient individuals or groups in a clinical setting.  Art therapy is a valuable vehicle of
expression for persons who are not articulate or who are not able to verbalize their feelings.  Many
people without art therapy degrees claim to practice art therapy.  There is an actual science and
methodology in the therapy process, which can be implemented only by art therapists who have studied
with clinical professionals.  This is not to discredit those individuals who help people with art; art is
always helpful.
Art by Virginia Erdie VITAE
V I R G I N I A   E R D I E
Art Therapist