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Board of Directors

Katherine Jackson

Ph.D., LPAT, ATR-BC, RYT, HLM

President

Dr. Katherine Jackson (pronouns: she/her) has a Masters of Expressive Arts Therapy from the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Sofia University, in Palo Alto, California. She is a registered and licensed art therapist and has been a counseling and art therapy educator for the last 30 years. She has taught the majority of her career at Ursuline College (now Gannon University). Currently she is an adjunct faculty at Ursuline College of Gannon University and Southwestern College.  She created the service-learning program for graduate Counseling and Art Therapy students in 2012 and continues to run this through Ursuline College and her private practice. She has taken students and volunteers to El Salvador, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, South Dakota, Hungary, South Africa, Peru, Nepal and New Zealand. Her new book entitled, Service-learning Through Cultural Exchange and Expressive Arts Therapy, has just been published by Routledge in 2026.

Along with her work as an educator, Dr. Katherine Jackson has been a practicing art therapist and mental health therapist, for 35 years, and is currently in private practice at Beachwood Counseling Center (www.beachwoodcounselingcenter.com), where she enjoys providing services for a variety of clients including children/teens, couples/families, and adults. Dr. Katherine Jackson is a registered yoga teacher, providing yoga and mindfulness groups, and she is a certified health coach integrating mind/body techniques and skills for her clients.

Dr. Katherine Jackson has lectured extensively through the United States and abroad on various topics such as, service-learning, multicultural competency. wellness and holistic health, group work, and the expressive therapies continuum.

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Melissa Hladek

MA, LPAT, LPCC-S, ATR-BC, PMH-C, DBT-C

First Vice President

Melissa Hladek (pronouns: she/her) is an experienced licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor, board-certified art therapist, and certified specialist in perinatal mental health and dialectical behavior therapy who works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. Her specialty interests include girls’ and women’s issues, trauma, wellness and development, and integrating creativity and positive psychology into counseling practice. She uses treatment approaches that are evidenced-based and uniquely tailored to each client.

Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in fine and performing arts from Youngstown State University, and her master’s degree in counseling and art therapy from Ursuline College. She is currently earning her doctorate degree at Walden University in counselor education and supervision.

Melissa’s clinical work experience includes working with diverse clients in school settings and community mental health settings. Since 2016, she has gained clinical experience in school settings, homeless shelters, and community mental health agencies, seeing individual clients, facilitating women’s groups, and developing adolescent groups. 

Melissa’s approach to counseling is relational, behavioral, and grounded in strengths-based approaches because she believes that growth and healing are the result of connection, acceptance, and willingness. In addition to being a non-judgmental, compassionate listener, she integrates creativity, symbolism and metaphor, humor, psychoeducation, and advocacy into sessions.

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Molly O'Neill Haaga

Ph.D., LPAT, LPC, ATR-BC

Second Vice President/Symposium Chair

Dr. Molly O’Neill Haaga is a board-certified art therapist, licensed mental health counselor, and college instructor. She currently serves as Assistant Professor in Ursuline College’s Art Therapy Program. Molly earned her Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College and her Doctorate in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. Her doctoral research focused on the role of art therapy in assessment, treatment, and management of medical illness and psychosocial comorbidities. Her clinical experience has included work with individuals, families, and groups in community mental health, hospital, school, rehabilitation, and studio settings. Molly’s areas of expertise are centered on using mind-body oriented art therapy approaches to identify, examine, and alter maladaptive thoughts and behaviors in an effort toward achieving wholeness and balance. Her current clinical and research interests include: expressive arts in healthcare and medicine; pedagogical approaches in art therapy education; trauma-informed therapeutic practices; and artistic expression across stages of human growth and development.

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Heather Denning

Heather Denning

MA, LPAT, LSW, ATR-BC, ATCS

Secretary

Heather (pronouns: she/her) is a registered and board-certified art therapist with a supervisor credential with the ATCB and a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio. She is a professional member of the American Art Therapy Association, Buckeye Art Therapy Association, and Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association. She has presented at art therapy conferences locally and nationally. Abroad, she has presented at the International Art Therapy Practice/Research Conference in London, England hosted by the British Art Therapy Association and American Art Therapy Association. Currently, she serves as the Secretary for the Buckeye Art Therapy Association and as a co-chair of the American Art Therapy Association’s Undergraduate Education Sub-Committee.  She has recently written a book chapter "Beginning Concepts of Group Work" in Foundations of Art Therapy: Theory and Applications (2022).

Heather began her art therapy career in the mental health field in 1994 facilitating and directing group therapy programs for adults with severe mental illnesses and substance use disorders at Ravenwood Heath. She has directed both the Adult Partial Hospitalization and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Programs at Ravenwood Health. At Ursuline College, Heather has taught art therapy courses, overseen students in clinical and internship placements, been a thesis reader, and traveled on service-learning trips. She is currently the undergraduate art therapy program director at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. She is an art therapy graduate of Bowling Green State University and Vermont College of Norwich University.

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Jason Luboski

MA, LPAT, LPCC, ATR-BC

Treasurer

Jason is a master’s level licensed professional clinical counselor, nationally board-certified art therapist, and licensed professional art therapist.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group settings, and recently opened his own private practice in Mentor, OH focusing on adolescent and teens.  Jason served as Clinical Chair on the Buckeye Art Therapy Association Board for the past two years and looks forward to growing and advocating for art therapists in Ohio through his current position as Treasurer.
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Jason is a master’s level licensed professional clinical counselor, nationally board-certified art therapist, and licensed professional art therapist.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group settings, and recently opened his own private practice in Mentor, OH focusing on adolescent and teens.  Jason served as Clinical Chair on the Buckeye Art Therapy Association Board for the past two years and looks forward to growing and advocating for art therapists in Ohio through his current position as Treasurer.


Molly (Mary) K. Kometiani

MA, LPAT, LPCC, ATR-BC

Bylaws Chair

After graduating from Miami University with a BS in Art Education, Molly received a MA in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College. Molly has diverse professional work experience in settings such as pediatric hospital, hospice and bereavement, homeless shelter for women and children, and safe house for survivors of sex trafficking. She has experience as an instructor of art therapy, and has provided supervision to both internship students and art therapists. She has delivered numerous creative workshops and presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. In addition to authoring several professional journal articles and chapters in books, Molly edited Art Therapy Treatment with Sex Trafficked Survivors: Facilitating Empowerment, Recovery, and Hope. Molly has served on the Buckeye Art Therapy Association Board for over a decade, and she looks forward to the opportunity of continuing to serve the Ohio art therapy community.

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Jen McHale

MS, LPAT, LICDC, ATR-BC

Clinical Chair

Jen graduated from Miami University (Oxford, OH) in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in art education and a minor in psychology. She pursued her graduate training at Eastern Virginia Medical School, achieving her Master of Science in Art Therapy in 1997. Shortly after graduating, Jen moved to Columbus, Ohio to establish her career as an art therapist. She has worked as an art therapist in several healthcare systems within their psychiatric inpatient/partial hospitalization units including, Genesis Healthcare and The Ohio State Medical Center. More recently, for over a decade, she directed the Arts in Medicine program at The Bing Cancer Center located at Riverside Methodist Hospital campus. During her time working with oncology patients, she completed two published research projects focusing on the efficacy of arttherapy with women receiving chemotherapy. Currently, Jen is in private practice, working with children, teens, and adults addressing a spectrum of mental health challenges. She offers art therapy services to veterans at the Veteran’s Affairs Whole Health Partnership in Central Ohio. She is also adjunct faculty within Capital University’s undergraduate art/art therapy department. Jen is a board-certified art therapist, as well as a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor who is a member of the Ohio Counseling Association-substance abuse/addiction chapter. Jen is also a member of the American Art Therapy Association and has served on the legislative committee member for the Buckeye Art Therapy Association the last 3 years. Jen has served as the clinical chair for BATA in the past.

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Jennifer schwartz

MAAT, LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS

Jennifer schwartz

MAAT, LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS

External Relations Chair/AATA Alternate Chapter Delegate

Jennifer (pronouns: she/her) has over 30 years of experience in medical art therapy, advocacy and education. She currently serves as the Program Director, Assistant Professor, and Service Learning Coordinator of Undergraduate Art Therapy at Ursuline College. She has served in leadership positions at the Art Therapy Studio (as Executive Director and Program Manager), at the Buckeye Art Therapy Association (2 terms each as President and Secretary), and at the American Art Therapy Association (Local Arrangements Chair for the 2008 Conference in Cleveland, and as Chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee). Jennifer was the 2023 recipient of BATA’s Distinguished Service Award, and was the 2016 Recipient of the Advising Excellence Award at Ursuline. For the first 16 years of her clinical career she relished working as an art therapist at the Centers for Dialysis Care. Before that, she earned her Master of Arts in Art Therapy at Vermont College of Norwich University (’94), and her Bachelor of Arts at Ursuline College, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1993 with a double major in psychology and studio art. At her core, Jen is a mixed-media and fiber artist who makes art for stress management, personal growth, social action and community building.

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Jennifer (pronouns: she/her) has over 30 years of experience in medical art therapy, advocacy and education. She currently serves as the Program Director, Assistant Professor, and Service Learning Coordinator of Undergraduate Art Therapy at Ursuline College. She has served in leadership positions at the Art Therapy Studio (as Executive Director and Program Manager), at the Buckeye Art Therapy Association (2 terms each as President and Secretary), and at the American Art Therapy Association (Local Arrangements Chair for the 2008 Conference in Cleveland, and as Chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee). Jennifer was the 2023 recipient of BATA’s Distinguished Service Award, and was the 2016 Recipient of the Advising Excellence Award at Ursuline. For the first 16 years of her clinical career she relished working as an art therapist at the Centers for Dialysis Care. Before that, she earned her Master of Arts in Art Therapy at Vermont College of Norwich University (’94), and her Bachelor of Arts at Ursuline College, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1993 with a double major in psychology and studio art. At her core, Jen is a mixed-media and fiber artist who makes art for stress management, personal growth, social action and community building.


Shayna Mell

MA, LPAT, LPC, ATR-BC

Legislative Chair/AATA Chapter Delegate

Shayna Mell (pronouns: she/her) is an experienced licensed professional counselor and art therapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She is dedicated to helping clients navigate life experiences, changes, and challenges by building a wide range of skills and self-esteem. Shayna’s approach to counseling is relational, non-judgmental, and strength-based because she believes that growth, wellness, and healing are rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Shayna earned her bachelor’s degree in fine art from Columbus College of Art and Design, and her master’s degree in counseling and art Therapy from Ursuline College.  Shayna is enthusiastic about using diverse creative expressive tools, such as collage, sculpture, writing, and movement, to help clients reflect, process, and connect with themselves on their personal journey towards healing.

In addition to being a compassionate, active listener, she understands the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance and creates space for clients to share comfortably, vulnerably, and safely. She is known for using creativity, humor, metaphors, and mindfulness in sessions to help clients explore their highest potential and reach their goals. Shayna utilizes treatment approaches that are evidence- based and uniquely tailored to support each client.

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Lauren Williams

MA, LPAT, ATR-BC, LPCC-S

Membership Chair

Lauren earned a bachelor of fine arts in Theater Technology and Design from Otterbein University and a master of arts in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College. She changed careers in 2014, transitioning from Costume and Scenic Design into the field of art therapy. For the past six years, Lauren has worked as a counselor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the early childhood mental health department. Lauren is also an art therapist at Ohiohealth’s Dempsey Family Education and Resource Center in Columbus, where she has facilitated group art therapy for the past 4.5 years for people living with neurological conditions. Lauren looks forward to continuing to support advocacy efforts while participating on BATA’s legislative committee, after supporting efforts on the committee for the past 5 years. Lauren looks forward to the opportunity of serving on the BATA Board.

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Sheridan Furrer

MA, LPC, ATR-P

Publications Chair

Sheridan Furrer (pronouns: she/her) graduated with her bachelor's degree in studio art with a double-minor in psychology and human services from Metropolitan State University of Denver and recently graduated with her master's degree with honors in counseling and art therapy from Ursuline College. She has a background in crisis intervention and community mental health having provided services for a wide array of clients across acute treatment/crisis stabilization units, walk-in centers, and hotlines including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. She is currently working in a community-based outpatient setting in Beachwood providing individual counseling with an arts-based approach to children, adolescents, and adults. She is also affiliated with The Art Therapy Studio facilitating community-based therapeutic art groups in the Akron and Cleveland areas, and will be completing her third year of service to the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation via The Cheyenne River Youth Project's annual Red Can Graffiti Jam in Eagle Butte, South Dakota through Ursuline's Service Learning program. She is passionate about nurturing creativity in community spaces and is excited to apply this focus while serving as BATA publication chair. 

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Ashley Rogols

MA, LPAT, LPCC-S, ATR-BC, ATCS

Resources Chair

Ashley Rogols (pronouns: she/her) is a Licensed Professional Art Therapist, Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist, Certified Art Therapy Supervisor, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision Designation.  She earned her Bachelor’s in Art Therapy, Psychology, and Studio Art from Capital University, and Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College.  She has over ten years of clinical and supervisory experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings.  Ashley currently designs, develops, and facilitates statewide educational opportunities as Training and Development Operations Manager at OhioGuidestone.  She is also an adjunct professor in the Counseling and Art Therapy Graduate Program at Ursuline College, has served on the Buckeye Art Therapy Association Board of Directors as 1st Vice President, President, and Resources Chair, and is Scholarship Chair for the American Art Therapy Association .  Ashley’s particular areas of interest include program development, trauma work, therapeutic photography, and instructional design.  She looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving Ohio’s art therapy community.

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