BATA Pre-Conference

Delaine Due, MA, ATR-BC, LAT, LPC

Delaine Due is a licensed and board certified art therapist based in Southern Oregon. Working in a rural area has provided the opportunity to practice with varied populations and issues including people living the experiences of queer youth, young adults in prison, memory care, veterans, cancer survivors, unhoused and addiction recovery. They have taught at Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College and founded the practice People’s Art. In 2020, they worked with other art therapists and mental health providers to open REcreate, a community open art studio for recovery from the Almeda Fire. The studio remains open and now offers a weekly Art Hive, as well as space and supplies for specific community groups. Delaine’s community art piece, "Make One Take One" (MOTO) was born from the Almeda Fire and continues to serve communities experiencing trauma. They are currently on sabbatical from direct clinical work to pursue a PhD in Creative Arts Therapies as a research fellow at Drexel University.

This BATA Pre-Conference Workshop will focus on "Psychological First Aid" and how art therapists have something unique to offer in this area. Having completed research on this topic, Due will provide their findings and share critical information for practical art therapy applications. Participants will learn how the role of art therapy in times of disaster and crisis needs to be distinct from traditional practice.

Additionally, the MOTO approach for disaster recovery will be discussed with examples from their latest application with those affected by Hurricane Harvey in April, 2025.