A letter from the 2021 IATA President: Maria Kim, PhD, ATR-BC, LMFT

Greetings IATA Members,
 
This is Maria Kim, PhD, ATR-BC, LMFT, the new president of the Illinois Art Therapy Association for 2021. It is such an honor to have this opportunity to serve you and the association.
 
I thank the previous and current board members of IATA and AATA who have been working hard to support the growth and sustainability of IATA over the years. I am also grateful to all of you who have been striving to manage many changes in your own lives while making strong professional efforts to support your clients.
 
The pandemic has profoundly stirred many aspects of life. For example, the pandemic has brought to light the often invisible and ignored need for diversity, equality and inclusion. Additionally, it has afforded us the opportunity to do better while also forcing us to confront what we have previously neglected to do.
 
We have had the opportunity to find different ways to keep being alive, connected, and human. More concurrent interaction and sharing is happening now more than ever before. We are now overcoming past obstacles and reaching out to the unseen through video technologies and other forms of communication. To continue to thrive, we need to create together a new normal and work to make sense of the impact on our lives and on our clients.
 
I am hopeful that we can continue to grow together because I know that you are there. We are currently devising a new structure to connect members across the state. I urge you to look for ways to get involved with IATA within your own capacity, wherever you are in Illinois and whenever you can. Please feel free to reach out to me or any of our board members.
 
Thank you again for being there and for the prospect of your future involvement with IATA. We look forward to continuing to serve and support you on your journey.
 
Blessings,
 
Maria Kim, PhD, ATR-BC, LMFT
president.iata@gmail.com