Stephanie Wise, Director of Programs, The ArtReach Foundation
Stephanie Wise, M.A., ATR- BC, LCAT is a nationally Registered and Board Certified member of the American Art Therapy Association as well as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in the State of New York. She is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and an Editorial Advisory Board member of the American Psychotherapy Association. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Cooper Union in New York and her Master’s Degree from the Graduate Art Therapy Program at New York University where she simultaneously earned her Certificate from the International Trauma Studies Program of the International University for Mental Health and Human Rights coordinated by Copenhagen University & NYU. She has worked nationally and internationally in the field of traumatic stress and resiliency having lectured and published extensively these topics. Most recently, Stephanie was elected to the Art Therapy Credentials Board, the national organization whose mission is to safe guard the public through the “competent and ethical practice of art therapy.” This is the national credentialing body for the profession of art therapy in the United States.
Stephanie, after having served as Interim Director of the Art Therapy Program at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of Art Therapy. She maintains adjunct faculty status at New York University where she has taught since 2003. She has been invited as guest lecturer at The School for Visual Arts, NYC as well as Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, Rutgers University in NJ, and New York University. Stephanie contributes as a member to the US Advisory Committee to Burapha University in Chonburi, Thailand. For the past decade she has lectured in hospitals and other professional mental health settings on topics ranging from chemical dependency to trauma and resiliency. She has offered trainings in Acute Traumatic Stress Management as well as the ArtReach Methodology.
In response to the need for assistance in the wake of 9/11, Stephanie founded and directed the Saturday Project (2001-2003) – an art therapy program for the benefit of young children living directly at Ground Zero. Her chapter, “Time for Healing: art therapy for children, post September 11, New York.” was published in 2005 by Brunner-Routledge, London, in a book titled, Art Therapy and Political Violence, edited by Kalmanowitz and Lloyd. In spring 2009, her chapter, “Extending a Hand: Open Studio Art Therapy in a Harm Reduction Center” will be published by Charles C. Thomas.
Among her numerous professional affiliations are the following:
- American Art Therapy Association
- American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
- Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association
- The American Psychotherapy Association
- New York Art Therapy Association
- Medical Reserve Corps of New York
As a Core Faculty Clinician for The ArtReach Foundation, Stephanie has been privileged to work in Little Rock, Arkansas with Katrina teachers and administrators, Rhodes, Greece with Lebanese school teachers and Amman, Jordan with both Lebanese and Jordanian teaching and social work professionals. Stephanie is honored to be stepping up to become Program Director for The ArtReach Foundation and will continue her ‘hands on work’ as a member of the Core Faculty.