Art Therapy Practicum Program

The student must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate art therapy degree program accredited by the American Art Therapy Association. Applicants who demonstrate high academic achievement and experience will have priority.

Application process

Your application must include:

• CCMC Art Therapy Practicum application
• Art portfolio

Please note: We are not accepting applications for our art therapy practicum as of fall 2024. This page will be updated once we resume accepting applications.

All application materials must be sent by October 10. Any application material that is sent after this date will not be accepted and the applicant will not be granted an interview.

Download application

Interview

An interview is required for placement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all interviews will take place virtually.

Acceptance

Selection of art therapy practicum students are made on a basis of academics and interview. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the program in writing.

If accepted, students must be medically cleared prior to their start date. The medical clearance includes a completed COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine, PPD test, drug and background testing (which includes a criminal background check).

Clinical therapeutic skills (adapted from AMTA, 2013)

• Therapeutic applications
  • Gain basic knowledge of typical and atypical human systems and development (e.g., anatomical, physiological, psychological, social)
  • Learn basic medical terminology and common pediatric illnesses
  • Understand the purpose and goals of supervision including the impact of self-care
• Therapeutic principles
  • Gain basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of a therapist-client relationship
  • Gain basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of therapy groups (if applicable)
  • Gain basic understanding of art psychotherapy
  • Gain knowledge in assessing client strengths, weaknesses and potential future goals
  • Develop skills in documentation and execution of appropriate goals and objectives
• Therapeutic relationship
  • Recognize the impact of one's own feelings, attitudes, and actions on the patient and the therapy process (i.e., transference and countertransference)
  • Gain ability to use oneself effectively in the therapist role in both individual and group therapy (i.e., appropriate self-disclosure, authenticity, empathy, etc.) toward affecting desired therapeutic outcomes
  • Gain basic awareness of the influence of race, ethnicity, language, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation on the therapeutic process

Professional skills

Art therapy practicum students should be able to:

• Work cohesively within a large department
• Maintain professionalism with all staff
• Collaborate with different professions (child life, social work, medical staff, etc.)
• Maintain responsibility regarding assignments due
• Adhere to the ATCB Code of Conduct/Ethics
• Follow hospital policies and procedures
• Speak and write professionally and concisely
• Actively participate and engage in supervision
• Treat all persons with dignity and respect, regardless of differences in race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression, etc.

The student should expect to be part of a large, inclusive pediatric interdisciplinary team consisting of music and art therapists, certified child life specialists, physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, rehabilitative therapists, and other medical professionals. As the hospital is on the border of the metro New York area’s Nassau and Queens counties, a strong multicultural presence is adopted into the our core philosophy. Cohen Children’s also incorporates family-centered care into every aspect of its practice.

Site hours will be scheduled to coordinate with the supervising art therapist’s schedule. Typically, this entails one to two days per week from 9am to 5pm or 11:30am to 7:30pm (student and supervising art therapist will choose corresponding days and times based on scheduling and availability). Occasionally, the student may be asked to work different hours (nights, weekend, etc.). It is the responsibility of the student to keep a log of hours.

Students have full access to art materials available to the art therapists. Students will share a locker with other child life/art therapy/music therapy students and will have access to multiple spaces/offices with computers. The student will also have access to using specialized equipment such as a Mac computer, iPads, etc.

The hospital requires that a medical clearance take place before the student begins their practicum experience. The student must have a complete medical clearance, including a completed COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine and PPD test, as well as drug and background testing (which includes a criminal background check). The student will be responsible for completing a self-study volunteer orientation prior to their start date; the internship coordinator will provide these materials. During orientation, the student will take an orientation post-test based on the orientation materials. The student will be oriented and trained in infection control policies, privacy policies, hospital units, Sunrise Clinical Manager, and CipherHealth, our electronic charting systems.

The student may be expected to perform the following duties throughout their practicum:

• Assist with individual and group art therapy sessions, including as procedural accompaniment
• Assist with art therapy as legacy building, including the patient, family, and siblings when appropriate
• Assist in collaborating with other interdisciplinary team members (such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, child life specialists and music therapists)
• Attend various interdisciplinary meetings
• Gain knowledge in writing progress notes in patient’s electronic medical chart
• Actively participate and engage in supervision

The art therapy program at Cohen Children’s adheres to a patient- and family-centered, humanistic philosophy, while also adapting goals for medical and psychotherapy approaches. We recognize the importance of not only helping the individual cope with and understand their medical symptoms but also the impact this makes on their mental and emotional well-being. We focus on helping patients and families to recognize their strengths and use this as the foundation of therapy and growth. Our program affords students the opportunity to view and assist in art therapy services.

Our approach includes:

• Providing patients and families with experiences of emotional and creative expression
• Normalizing the hospital environment
• Allowing opportunities for the patient to process their hospital journey and/or illness
• Supporting patients and families in creating a safe and supportive environment

Student philosophy

As we are based in a humanistic philosophy, we treat our students with the same philosophy. Cohen Children’s Medical Center has a robust training program for many different disciplines. Our program will strive to offer opportunities for clinical, professional and emotional growth in a safe and supportive environment.

Shawna Vernisie, MHA, MA, LCAT, MT-BC
Creative Arts Therapies Internship Coordinator

Cindy Rodriguez, MSEd, CCLS
Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies Director

Amanda Goodman, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC
Senior Creative Arts Therapist