Black History Month
This Black History Month, we're highlighting mental health advocacy and working to reduce stigma in Black communities. By emphasizing the need for greater accessibility to art therapy, including Black Art Therapists, we invite the community to explore and reflect on the critical issues and barriers to mental health resources.
We're also revisiting our 2021 panel discussion on the lack of diversity in the art therapy field. Returning guest Jason Montalvo, LCAT, ATR-BC, shares his insights on the following Q&A:
1. Since our panel discussion in 2021, have you observed any changes in the role of art therapy in addressing mental health within Black communities?
As of our panel discussion in 2021, I have not noticed any significant changes in regards to the field of Art Therapy engaging or addressing mental health within Black communities. In one of my prior places of employment (2020 – 2022), and in my most recent hired roles, I still am notably the sole Black clinician. While there are some significantly active non-profit organizations providing Art Therapy services to Black communities, they are still largely overseen by white Program Directors. However, this lack of change, in my opinion, does not stem solely as a result of Art Therapy, but the stigma the Black community has with engagement in receiving mental health services.
2. Since our 2021 panel discussion, have you noticed any changes in the reach or engagement when it comes to recruiting Black Art Therapists?
I cannot say or fully speak to any notable changes in the reach or engagement that AATA or the Art Therapy community has made in increasing recruitment of Black Art Therapists. In my prior roles, the Black (and other races/ethnicities) are largely unaware of Art Therapy and I almost always must provide psychoeducation as to what Art Therapy is and its effectiveness in how treatment is provided.
3. What are effective strategies for raising awareness and promoting diversity within the field of art therapy in Black communities?
-Connecting and creating programs/collaborations with their undergraduate psychology departments with schools such as Hunter College, Fordham, and Pace university to increase awareness as to the career path of Art Therapy.
-Connecting with schools in largely Black communities to provide in-services and increase awareness to middle-school, high-school, and undergraduate programs increase awareness of Art Therapy and it’s differences to traditional talk-therapy which is still heavily stigmatized.
-Connecting with and collaborating with independently founded groups such as CATS of Color may be a significant resource in promoting awareness of the field of Art Therapy.
-Providing in-services or offering services to programs such as Mental Health Clubhouses (i.e. TOP Clubhouse/Goddard Riverside)
-Collaborating with known Black Art Therapists to provide in-services/workshops/career fairs to Black communities such as outer-borough schools in the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn for example.
-Connecting with local community boards, again, in collaboration with Black Art Therapists to, for example, provide workshops or pop-up events during local community events such as annual block-parties that are arranged for the summer.
4. How can the field of art therapy better support the mental health needs of diverse communities, particularly among Black individuals?
As I was taught during my master’s program the importance and efficacy of clients having a clinician that matches their race/ethnicity, the goal of this initiative of increasing recruitment of Black students who wish to pursue Art Therapy as a career.
As stated in question 3, connecting with local community boards to find ways in which in-services can be provided to the community directly or gain assistance in identifying local areas (i.e. shelters, mental facilities such as clubhouses, local social service providing spaces) to provide insight as to Art Therapy as a service (as well as its efficacy) and to additionally allow the facilitation of a dialogue as to the questions and needs these Black communities may need support with. In having collaborated with a number of social workers, even offering to provide supportive in-services to staff may minimize their burnout and also provide them with an additional resource they can refer the Black clients they serve.
5. What unique challenges have you faced as a Black art therapist, and how have you overcome them?
As a Black art therapist, I've faced challenges related to client stigma around mental health services, often stemming from past negative experiences with clinicians who didn't share their racial or ethnic background. My shared background and psychodynamic approach have helped bridge this gap and alter their perceptions as to receiving mental health services. Additionally, the lack of arts programs and career guidance in my South Bronx upbringing, coupled with the prerequisites for art therapy programs, presented significant hurdles. I was fortunate that my prior glass art experience fulfilled some requirements, but this highlights the need for earlier exposure to art therapy and more flexible program entry points to increase Black representation in the field.
6. How can art therapy programs foster a greater sense of community and resilience among Black individuals?
Art therapy programs can foster community and resilience among Black individuals by actively engaging with these communities. This involves going beyond traditional non-profit services and participating in job fairs and community events. Introducing diverse art forms, like glasswork, can also be impactful. For example, programs like The Bead Project at UrbanGlass, which I am bi-annually invited to provide a 1 hour discussion on how glass has impacted their lives, demonstrate how new areas can build resilience through dialogue and creative expression.
Jason Montalvo, LCAT, ATR-BC, Art Therapy Place