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Dana Elmendorf

Dana Elmendorf
Program Director, Graduate Art Therapy program
Art (B.A. and B.F.A.), Art Therapy

Dana Elmendorf, ATR-BC, LPC is the Program Director of the Seton Hill Graduate Art Therapy with Specialization in Counseling Program. Prior to joining the Seton Hill faculty full-time, she provided art therapy and counseling services in a variety of settings which included homeless and domestic violence shelters, geriatric partial programs, community mental health centers for adults managing mental illness and inpatient psychiatric facilities focusing on behavioral health. This variety of professional experience brings a practical perspective to teaching from the front lines of mental health care and along the continuum of care. In addition to experience in clinical mental health work she continues to facilitate arts experiences within community-based settings which have included work with unhoused individuals and individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Throughout her career, Dana has always been eager to explore the world around her and has lived and worked overseas in Thailand while traveling extensively throughout South East Asia and Europe. Stories of these experiences are woven into teaching, and Dana encourages students to think from diverse and multiple points of view while consistently seeking to disrupt assumptions and stereotypes of others. A mantra for her lifelong learning is, " The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

Education

  • MA, Expressive Therapy, Art Therapy Concentration, Lesley University, (Cambridge, MA) , 1985

  • BA, Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA) 1982

Publications

  • Elmendorf, D. (2022). Pathways to developing a career in art therapy. In Meera Rastogi, Rachel P. Feldwisch,et al, Foundations of art therapy: Theory and applications. Academic Press

  • Elmendorf, D. (2010). Minding our P’s through Q’s: Addressing possibilities and precautions of community work through new questions. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 27(1) pp.40-43.

Awards

  • Honorary Life Member (2019) - granted by the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association

  • Presidential Award for Exemplary Service (2016) – granted by the American Art Therapy Association

  • Prevention Award (2015) – granted by Mental Health America of Southwest PA. For providing a wide variety of professional experiences bringing a practical perspective to teaching at the front lines of mental health work.

  • Barbara Gittings Activist of the Year (2007) - granted by Equality Advocates Pennsylvania

Organizations

  • American Art Therapy Association

  • Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association

  • American Counseling Association

  • Pennsylvania Counseling Association

Presentations

  • Elmendorf, D. Intersections of Art Therapy and Mental Health. Presentation to the Mental Health America, SW PA Conference, Greensburg, PA, December 2, 2022.

  • Elmendorf, D. Possibilities and Pathways for Counselors to Become Board-Certified Art Therapists. Presentation to the 54th Pennsylvania Counseling Association Conference. Pittsburgh, PA, October 14-16, 2022

  • Elmendorf, D. Program Accreditation - What It Is and Isn’t: ACATE and CAAHEP Overview. Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019

  • Elmendorf, D., Goebl-Parker, S., Pannirselvam, G., Meaningful Quality Improvement: Assessment Plan Design for Educational Programs. Presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019

  • Elmendorf, D. Program Accreditation - What It Is and Isn’t: ACATE and CAAHEP Overview. Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kansas City, MO. October 30-November 3, 2019

  • Elmendorf, D. What’s New in Art Therapy Education? Focus group presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. November 8-12, 2017

  • Art Therapy Education Continuum: Undergraduate to Doctorate, Panel presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. November 8-12, 2017

  • Elmendorf, D. Integrating the Arts into the Continuum of Care, Presentation for Veteran Community Partnerships (VCP). October 11, 2016.

  • Art Therapy Education Continuum: Undergraduate to Doctorate, Panel presentation to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference: Trailblazing the Future. San Antonio, TX, July 9-13, 2014.

  • Elmendorf,D. "Using Creative Approaches for Trauma Recovery: Theories and Principles of Ethical Practice". Presentation offered through the Dialogue and Resolution Center of the Center for Victims of VIolence and Crime, Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 2012.

  • Elmendorf, D & Ghubril, P. "The Synergy of Hope: Combining Resiliency Theory and Creativity in Counseling", Presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October 2011.

  • Elmendorf, D. & Denninger, N. "Creative Responses to Client Creativity in Counseling: A Master Supervision Opportunity for New Professionals", Pre-conference workshop presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October, 2011.

  • Elmendorf, D. & Veri, J. "It Begins With Us: Therapist Reactions to Transgender Clients", Presented to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Conference. State College, PA, October, 2009. Also presented to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. July, 2009 and the American Counseling Association Annual Conference. Pittsburgh, PA, March, 2010.

  • Panel presentation, "Creative Arts Therapy and Ethics” and “Art Therapy Breakout”. Presented April, 2008 for the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

  • Elmendorf, D. "Art Therapy" Presented July 2008 for the Hillman Cancer Center 2008 Summer Series: Creative Arts Therapies

Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (LPC), 2003-present

  • Board Certified Art Therapist with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATR-BC), 2003 - present

Achievements

  • Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), Chair 2015- 2018, Coordinator 2019 - 2024.

  • American Art Therapy Association Master’s Education Standards Revision Task Force, Co-Chair, 2013 - 2015

  • Served as Member of Ad-Hoc Editor Search Committee and also the Education Committee for the American Art Therapy Association

  • Served as Chair of the Seton Hill University Professional Development Committee

  • Served as Board member of the Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association (GPCA)

  • Served as Chair of the Registration Standards Committee for the Art Therapy Credentials Board