I recently received an email from Galia Cozzi Berrondo, a sociology student in Mexico City. She was hoping I could recommend an art therapist based in Mexico City who could help her with integrating art therapy into a new program she’s creating. Unfortunately I don’t have such a connection, and was hoping maybe a reader may be able to help.
With her permission here is Galia’s email, along with portions of my response.
Hello Liz,
I am a Sociology student in Mexico City and I am extremely interested in art therapy because I am planning to open a community center for kids who live in extreme poverty here in Mexico, this center will be focused on art and we want to integrate art therapy as a very important part of the program. I have been investigating about art therapy in Mexico and it is not very popular, so I saw your interview on You Tube at the AATA and I was wondering if you know any art therapists in Mexico City that I could contact and that could lead me to knowing how to apply art therapy with kids.
Thank you for your attention,
Greetings,
Galia Cozzi Berrondo
galiacozzi@hotmail.com
galia@index34.com
Hi Galia,
What a wonderful project! Unfortunately I dont personally know of any Art Therapists in Mexico City. However, I did a quick google search on “art therapy mexico” and got this website. Unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish, so I’m not sure if its relevant.
http://www.terapia-de-arte.com/
There are also Loyola Marymount University has summer learning/exchange programs in Mexico…you may be able to find some students or professors to consult during the summer months.
http://cfa.lmu.edu/programs/mft/mexico.htm
Maybe you could contact AATA (the American Art Therapy Association) and see if you could post a “free consultant wanted in Mexico City” in their Jobs sections of the website?
I would suggest that you pick up books by Judith Rubin, who is one of the most respected art therapists working with children out there. Cathy Malchiodi also has some good books. However, I would like to caution that reading a book or two does not substitute for the expertise of someone who has studied art therapy extensively.
Thanks for writing and good luck!
– Liz