Dear Senator/Representative XXXXXX,
My name is Heather Matson, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Board Certified - Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and serve as the President on the board of the Minnesota Art Therapy Association (MNATA). MNATA, in conjunction with the American Art therapy Association (AATA), is seeking to establish a Clinical Art Therapy License in Minnesota to help ensure public protection and increase the availability of mental health services statewide. Art therapists in Minnesota are currently writing a bill for an independent professional License in Clinical Art Therapy (LCAT) we wish to present in the 2018 legislative cycle. Senator Newton has agreed to author our bill.
Make a personal connection (committee member, professional or personal history):
Share if you grew-up in the district they represent, have parents or sibling that live there, if you work or live there… etc.
“As someone (Representative in this case has a background in the following) that has and background in social work and psychology, I believe it is important to reach out…”
“As a member of the Health and Human Services Reform, and Aging and Long-Term Care Committees, I believe it is important to reach out to you to provide some foundational information and a rational for this professional licensure and about the growing profession of Art Therapy in Minnesota. Here is a link providing more detailed information as to Why a Clinical Art Therapy License is Important to Minnesota…. https://prezi.com/view/9iiyBWqbyAzEDyeq7PT0”
“As you are the Chair of the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee, as well has having an interest in veterans’ issues, I believe it is important to reach out to you to provide some foundational information and a rationale for this professional license and about the growing profession of Art Therapy in Minnesota. Here is a link providing more detailed information. https://prezi.com/view/9iiyBWqbyAzEDyeq7PT0
Give a detailed concern that maybe interesting them:
“I am the owner of Art of Counseling, pllc in St. Paul, which is a psychotherapy group providing a blend of art, relational, and trauma informed therapies. We are additionally in the second year of developing our art therapy in school’s program in helping students have mental health support and in school success. "Art Therapy is a creative and engaging way to address inappropriate behaviors such as bullying; identify an individual’s barriers to learning; increase student retention; support special needs students; enhance academic performance; provide gifted youth with a new skill; increase motor and sensory skills; and, excite kids’ learning experience." The following link provides more information about art therapy in schools https://arttherapy.org/upload/toolkitarttherapyinschools.pdf”
“Additionally, you maybe interested in the power of art therapy with seniors. "Art can also be therapeutic. Older adults tend to have more chronic diseases and age-related functional impairments that affect vision, hearing, and balance. Commonly attendant to such disorders are chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Making art can be an enjoyable experience that focuses the participant away from daily concerns and on the creative process. Some seniors, particularly those with cognitive, memory, and other impairments, may receive additional benefits." The following link provides more information about art therapy with seniors http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/SeniorToolkit/SENIORTOOLKIT.pdf”
Find an article about Art Therapy that illustrates your point and include a link or add as an attachment!
Recap what you are looking for (an action, requesting a meeting, requesting there support, etc ):
My professional colleagues and I have had some meetings with other Representatives and Senators who have expressed support for authoring a licensure bill. I value your feedback and hope to connect with you to further discuss our efforts in developing an independent professional license. Please contact me….
Sign with your Home and/or work address
We are also looking to encourage people who have experienced the power of art therapy to write their representative and/or Senator to ask for their support in a Clinical Art Therapy license for MN.