In this Anchored podcast episode, we will be discussing the application of art therapy and military families. We will be joined by three art therapists; Melissa Walker, Jessica Herman, and Valli Rebsamen, to discuss their work, the therapeutic practices used in art therapy, and the prevalence of mental health issues and “invisible wounds of war” (traumatic brain injury, PTSD, etc.) for active duty service members and how these issues affect both the individuals and each member of the family.
Melissa Walker is the Lead Art Therapist for Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. Melissa is a Department of Defense employee and the Healing Arts Program Coordinator at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a directorate of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Jessica Herman is a Creative Forces art therapist at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital’s Intrepid Spirit Center. Jessica is also part of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, which covers a wide spectrum of science and research, impacting both military and civilians. Jessica’s work includes providing individual, family, couples, and group art therapy sessions for service members and their spouses, caregivers, children, and dependents.
Valli Rebsamen is a licensed marriage and family therapist and board-certified art therapist in Tacoma Washington and currently serves as a therapist, consultant, and owner at Art Therapy Northwest. Valli is currently contracted through Creative Forces to implement a creative arts program that promotes resiliency for military-connected and veteran families.
The curriculum is informed by art and music therapy, theatre arts, as well as, social and emotional learning skills.
Continuing Education credits are no longer available for this podcast episode, but we would love to get your feedback! Please take the evaluation here.
Music: “Memories,” Royalty-Free Music via Bensound
This material is based on work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense Award Number 2015-48770-24368 and 2019-48770-30366.
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