Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT

The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Artful Grief: Open Art Studio

• Developed the Artful Grief: Open Art Studio for clients facing death and non-death loss.
• Facilitated art therapy activities to encourage emotional processing and self-expression in the Open Art Studio.
• Assessed client needs through intake interviews and therapeutic observation.
• Documented client progress and session notes in clinical records.
• Prepared high-quality art materials and maintained safe, welcoming therapeutic art studio space.
• Facilitated group discussions on loss and transition themes grounded in the creative process.
• Collaborated with healthcare professionals and developed programming specifically designed for their organization, i.e. Gilchrist Cares and Advanced Behavioral Health.
• Created an environment that was conducive to healing and growth for individuals and group of clients.
• Employed multiple art mediums (altered books, collage, doll and mask making, memory boxes, journey sticks and abstract painting) to encourage client expression and creativity.
• Empowered clients to effectively communicate thoughts and feelings through the art making process.
• Developed and implemented art therapy activities that gave clients a sense of agency.
• Assessed client progress through observation of artwork produced during sessions.
• Noted both process and product in the assessment of clients.
• Documented client progress in confidential files in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Integrated evidence-based practices into art therapy interventions when appropriate.
• Utilized various modalities to facilitate client awareness, growth and change.
• Facilitated discussions about meaning reconstruction as evidenced in client artwork.
• Facilitated individual and group art therapy sessions to address client issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief.
• Preemptively presented artistic media in the Open Art Studio, from least to most complex to the most complex.
• Evaluated and refined the Open Art Studio programs based on client feedback and assessments.
• Facilitated individual and group art therapy sessions using compassionate, trauma-informed communication.
• Remained calm and professional in stressful clinical circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
• Developed individualized creative treatment plans for bereavement and transition support.
• Trained volunteers in the Open Art Studio on confidential, sensitive support practices.
• Cultivated a supportive atmosphere for volunteer art therapists in Open Art Studio.
• Identified opportunities for improvement in processes, procedures, and services in the Open Art Studio.
• Oversaw operations of the Open Art Studio, ensuring effective personnel management and successful program development and implementation.
• Coordinated with agencies such as, The Compassionate Friends (TCF), The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), The American Art Therapy Association (AATA), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), to ensure successful programming within established timelines and budgets.
• Purchased and managed inventory in the Open Art Studio, to ensure an abundance of high-quality art materials.
• Assisted with fundraising through The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation (KRSF), in efforts to secure resources in support of mental health programming, through education and the arts in the Open Art Studio.
• Coordinated the KRSF, Yellow Dress Golf Classic, a 20-year fundraising, community outreach and educational event.

Portland Institute for Loss and Transition: Art Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program

• Designed and implemented a comprehensive Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program for the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition.
• Bridged the worlds of art therapy and thanatology.
• Developed Art-Assisted Grief Therapy modules for Portland Institute.
• Employed multiple art modalities (altered books, collage, doll and mask making, memory boxes, journey sticks and abstract painting) to encourage PI learners to create, explore and express.
• Recruited high-quality expressive arts therapy presenters for the Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program.
• Evaluated the Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certifications effectiveness through feedback and performance rubrics.
• Managed Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification presentation timelines and resources to ensure success.
• Cultivated community partnerships to enhance resources and support Portland Institute.
• Reviewed Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program policies to align with Portland Institute's mission and standard.
• Managed art therapy materials and inventory to ensure availability and reduce costs to Portland Institute.
• Provided mentoring to newly enrolled PI learners in the Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program.
• Reviewed the PI learner's Reflective Journals to ensure consistency and quality in the Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Certification Program.
• Participated in staff meetings and decision-making processes within the Portland Institute.
• Recognized areas for process and procedure improvement.
• Developed and implemented art therapy activities to help PI learners effectively express thoughts and feeling through art making.
• Assessed PI learner's progress through observation of artwork produced during Art-Assisted Grief therapy Modules.
• Guided PI learners through creative expression and encouraged them to engage with feelings and thoughts.
• Integrated evidence-based practices into Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Modules.
• Helped facilitate PI learner discussions about their artwork and grief and bereavement theory and practice.