Creative Arts and Therapy: Meet Our Graduates

Jill Comins, MA, DTR Dance/Movement Therapy Alumni -2007

What is your current professional role?

I am a program coordinator for the children’s unit at Friend’s hospital working as a dance/movement therapist.  Friend’s hospital is an acute in-patient psychiatric facility that provides behavioral health and mental illness programs for children, adolescents and adults. I work as an active member of the clinical staff on the children’s unit which includes providing individual counseling and group sessions and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design and implement treatment plans. Additionally, I conduct DMT group sessions on the adolescent and adult units.

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University?

I chose Hahnemann for its reputation as well as its academic rigor.  Because the Creative Arts Therapy program resides within the school of Nursing and Health Professions, it is held to the same high standards that are assumed in other health care disciplines. The integrated curriculum was also a plus as I felt it would be beneficial to attend core academic courses with both art and music therapy students along with the dance/movement students. Also, because the school is located within a major metropolitan area, there is a well developed network of health care facilities and alumni in place.

What is the best thing about your job?

When the kids ask with enthusiasm, “Ms. Jill, are we doing dance/movement today?” Even though working on the children’s unit can be very challenging, I feel privileged to be given an opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of these kids, many coming from very difficult circumstances.  When a connection is made and I am momentarily allowed into their world, it’s hard to not be moved by the resiliency they reveal.  Of course it’s also very fulfilling to be a part of a client’s discovery of something new about him/herself through the dance/movement therapy experience!

What was the best part of the program?

The integration of clinical experience with academics was most valuable.  While the academic expectations were more challenging than I initially anticipated, Hahnemann’s faculty provided a helpful and encouraging environment that took me far beyond what I thought I was capable of.  Also, a component of the program is self directed study. This was an essential piece in allowing me to grow personally as well as professionally as a therapist.  Enrolling in the program also gave me the opportunity to form valuable connections and friendships with other creative arts therapy colleagues that will last a lifetime.

What has Drexel University contributed to your career?

The experience and education provided by Drexel has enabled me to become a confident and viable practitioner in the mental health field. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, I work alongside nurses, psychiatrists, social workers and other allied therapists. Attending a program that is housed within the college of Nursing and Health Professions enabled me to feel secure in my professional relationship with others in the medical and mental health fields.  I also believe that Drexel’s high standards for the profession of DMT assisted in my acquiring a job immediately upon graduation.

Anthony DiGiacomo MA, MTA, CCC Music Therapy Alumni- 2001

What is your current professional role?
 I am a Music Therapist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  I also act as the CAMH Music Therapy internship supervisor.  CAMH is one of the largest mental health and addictions education, research and treatment facilities in North America.  CAMH is also a collaborating partner with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University?
The Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program appealed to me because of it’s setting within allied health.  The proximity to and availability of other health professionals and information helped in giving structure to the role Music Therapy and the other Creative Arts Therapies can play in this milieu.

What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is working with interesting and engaging clients everyday.  The second best thing about my job is being able to play music and engage in creative experiences everyday.

What was the best part of the program?
The best part of the program is the staff.  The professors represent a breadth of different experiences and a wide knowledge base.  They are always very helpful and continue to provide advice and support even years after graduation. 

What did Drexel University contribute to your career?
The best thing Drexel University and the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program did for my career was to provide a great deal of clinical experience before I even began my professional career.  Already having had these clinical experiences, in combination with a vast amount of supervision and support, put me far ahead of other new graduates, in terms of practical expertise.  

Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC Art Therapy Alumni- 1996

What is your current professional role?
I work as both a professional art therapist in private practice as well an an educator in the field.  One of the aspects I currently enjoy is being able to create a bridge between the clinical and educational settings utilizing current case examples to assist students in their learning of the text. 

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University?
The reputation of the program was by far most impressive.  Attending a rigorous program such as Hahnemann was the best to challenge me and prepare me for the field.

What is the best thing about your job?
That I love what I do!  So many people have attended college and pursued higher education only to find themselves unhappy.  I am rewarded in my work by sharing my love for art and creativity while creating opporutintes for people to make positive changes in their lives.

What was the best part of the program?
The small classes and interactive learning experiences. These both allowed for excellent peer support and excellent relationships with the faculty.  Inthis program, I felt like whole person and not a number in a lecture hall.

What did Drexel University contribute to your career?
A stellar education and the confidence I needed to enter a growing field with countless potential.   

Sabine C. Koch, Ph.D., M.A., DTR Graduated 1997

What is your current professional role?

I am a researcher in social and personality psychology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany (one of the Ivy-League Universities in Germany). With respect to DMT I am interested in how the body shapes the mind and psyche. In one of my projects I focus on embodiment, particularly on the impact of dynamic movement and move­ment qualities on affect, attitudes and cognition. Another project we are just starting will focus on body memory. I am trying to attain funding for DMT projects, to support the European professional process and on bringing DMT in Germany to an academic level.

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University?

I chose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program because of the integrated concepts in teaching the creative arts therapies and because of its strong grounding in the medical field, particularly reflective medicine.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job are the smiling faces of patients after they had an embodied experience that took them further in their healing process... the patient that gets to the place of authenticity for the first time, …the patients that finds a movement metaphor for the unspeakable and starts to work with it, …the patients that involves in a nonverbal dialogue with me that transforms and inspires both of us.

What was the best part of the program?

Everything! Well the very best part was my practical experience in the institutions I worked at: With Dissociative Identity Disorder Patients at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital, with Autistic Children at the Developmental Center for Autistic Children and with Older Adults at Einstein/Belmont. I had wonderful advisors and a most wonderful Program Director. They all took care that my and our learning experience was as good as can be. They knew where we were at and what the next step for our optimal professional development needed to be. Everybody on faculty was very invested in this process.

Sandy Sheller, MA, ATR-BC, LPC Art Therapy Alumni- 2004

What is your current professional role? 
I work as a Mental Health Treatment Specialist and Supervisor at the Red Shield Family Residence, a family homeless shelter that is part of the Salvation Army.  Using Art and Family Therapy, I see children, teenagers, and adults individually, within the family context, and in group settings.  As a Mental Health Specialist, I am responsible for training staff within the shelter and for training the Salvation Army’s other direct service providers in issues pertaining to trauma, loss, and mental health.  I am also responsible for expanding comprehensive therapeutic programming for the residents in the shelter through supervising student interns and collaborating with other providers.

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University?
I chose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program because of its reputation as one of the best programs for Creative Arts in Therapy in the country.  It was also important to me to attend a program with an emphasis on psychodynamic theory so that I would have strong theoretical grounding.  Finally, the dedication of the department heads and professors along with the small class size were positive factors that contributed to my decision process. 

What is the best thing about your job? 
What is optimal about my job is I have substantial flexibility to create what I believe is needed at any given time. Staff is very supportive and works collaboratively as a team.  There is great respect for Creative Art Therapies and the importance of healing trauma to prevent violent re-enactments. I feel very fortunate because working as a therapist is a job where you get paid to relate to people and learn about their most inner selves.  Using art therapy can assist in getting under defenses quickly and has helped me maintain an element of play when frequently dealing with the intense traumatic histories of my clients.

What was the best part of the program? 
The hands-on experience through practicum’s and internships in the field while simultaneously receiving dialectical training, allowed for an optimal learning experience.  In addition, being required to create one’ own art as a reflective practice further assisted me in developing a professional stance.  Through the support of the professors, I was encouraged to continue my education by completing a one-year post graduate program in Couples and Family Therapy, adding to my knowledge-base and professionalism. 

What did Drexel University contribute to your career? 
Being a graduate of Drexel University, a prestigious, well-respected institution, has been important.  The school’s rigorous requirements prepared me for handling the multiple and diverse tasks that are part of my job description.  Having to write a Masters thesis helped me develop an ability to impact change in a larger context through preparing me to conduct research, write for grants, and become published.  My knowledge-base was advanced through the research training so that I am now in a position to implement cutting-edge therapy modalities in the field of mental health with trauma victims impacted by violence, family breakdowns, and homelessness.  Furthermore, my professional accomplishments achieved because of having a well-grounded education, recently led to my appointment to serve on the Council of Advocates Committee of the Philadelphia Compact, part of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Children’s Behavioral Health.  This further enhances my ability to influence and develop new systems for effective mental health treatment modalities.    

Karen Clark-Schock, Psy.D., ATR-BC, LPC Art Therapy Alumni- 1977

What is your current professional role?

*Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Psychologist, full time private practice, Paoli, PA

*Adjunct Professor and Director of the Art Therapy Concentration, University of the Arts

*Adjunct Assistant Professor, Drexel U

Why did you choose the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy program?

Reputation and location. If I remember correctly, there were maybe 4 programs when I was making application (mid-70's).  I applied to 3 schools, but Hahnemann was my first choice.

What is the best thing about your job?

The clients and students with whom I have the privilege to work; being part of someone's journey in a meaningful way. I also value the flexibility of my therapeutic style; I weave in many tools and techniques, including Art Therapy, Hypnosis, Hypno-Art Therapy, EMDR, EFT and other energy therapies.

What was the best part of the program?

The inclusion of several internships, beginning with the first week or so of classes.  At the time it felt like an overwhelming trial by fire, but it was a powerful and transformational way to learn and to incorporate classroom knowledge.

What did attending this program contribute to your career?

Initially, an enthusiasm for working with adults on an inpatient psychiatric unit, a direct outgrowth from my very positive internship experiences.  I have since gone on to work within many settings, which I believe underscores a belief and confidence that, with the foundation I'd received,  I could creatively apply the "tools of my trade" to innovative arenas.  These have included working with both clinical and non-clinical populations, in groups as well as with individuals, including drug and alcohol clients, medical/surgical patients, chronic pain, women's issues, life transitions, corporate and business venues.

I also need to acknowledge the rich ongoing connections, both personal and professional,  that have developed over the years, beginning with my days as a student, and continuing on from there.  I appreciate that there are opportunities for alums to gather and reconnect.