Donna Betts
Donna J. Betts, PhD, ATR-BC, is Clinical Research Advisor for Creative Forces, NEA Military Healing Arts Network. She is Past President of the American Art Therapy Association, and is an award-winning scholar. Dr. Betts holds a PhD in Art Education and Art Therapy from Florida State University (FSU), and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy degree from George Washington University (GW). She is a former Associate Professor in the GW Graduate Art Therapy Program.
Education
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PhD, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 2005
MA, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 1999
BFA, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax, NS, 1992
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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art therapy, art psychotherapy, adoption and foster care, assessment, autism, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, TBI.
Books
Articles
Activating expression, connection, and transformation to enhance meaning and renew existence [Editorial]
Published: Dec 01, 2018 by Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 35(3), 114-116.
Authors: Donna J. Betts
Subjects:
Gerontology, Art & Visual Culture
Public recognition of the benefits of the creative arts therapies and the arts in health for the aging population is on the rise as is evidenced through an increase in the efforts of national entities in the United States and abroad to improve quality of life and to enhance wellness (Lambert et al., 2017)….A special section in this issue draws attention to the unique ways in which art therapy helps to address and alleviate the medical problems and mental health challenges related to aging...
An art therapy study of visitor reactions to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Published: Mar 03, 2015 by Museum Management and Curatorship, 30(1), 21-43.
Authors: Betts, D. J., Potash, J. S., Luke, J. J. & Kelso, M.
Subjects:
Museum and Heritage Studies , Art & Visual Culture
This paper describes a collaborative research partnership between museum educators and art therapists. Twenty-two visitors at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group based on an art therapy informed protocol. ...The findings suggest an innovative and effective approach to increasing empathy among museum visitors and to sustaining the impact of a museum visit.
A process and outcome evaluation of an art therapy program for people living with HIV
Published: Sep 25, 2014 by Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 31(3), 102-109
Authors: Feldman, M. B., Betts, D. J. & Blausey, D.
Subjects:
Gender & Sexuality
This article describes a process and outcomes evaluation of an art therapy program within the mental health services unit of a community-based organization for people living with HIV/AIDS. ...The findings, which underscore the value of program evaluation, may be useful in improving art therapy services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
A review of the principles for culturally appropriate art therapy assessment tools
Published: Sep 06, 2013 by Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 30(3), 98-106
Authors: Donna J. Betts
In an increasingly diverse society, and with the broadening scope of art therapy, the duty of art therapists to ensure responsible and appropriate assessment is ever more important. This article discusses considerations that are necessary for the successful adaptation and use of drawing-based assessments in cross-cultural and multicultural contexts.
Art therapy assessments and rating instruments: Do they measure up?
Published: Aug 01, 2006 by The Arts in Psychotherapy: An International Journal, 33(5), 371-472
Authors: Donna J. Betts
There are many benefits to justify the use of art therapy assessment techniques and rating instruments. However, methodological, theoretical and philosophical problems abound. These problems are explored, in relation to art therapy assessments and their corresponding rating tools.
Developing a projective drawing test: Experiences with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA)
Published: Apr 01, 2003 by Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 20(2), 77-82
Authors: Donna J. Betts
Subjects:
Developmental Psychology
To illustrate the process of developing a projective drawing test, this paper describes the experience of creating and working with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA). Six samples of the FSA completed by clients with multiple disabilities (including communication disorders and autism) are presented. As the FSA is a work in progress and has yet to be established as a valid and reliable assessment, implications for further research are also discussed.