Eileen Garcia, LMFT, ATR

president@socalarttherapy.org

 President 

Coming soon!

Nicole Sherrod, LMFT, ATR-BC

President Elect

Nicole Sylvia Imhof Sherrod is a Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Infant Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist who graduated in 2015 from Phillips Graduate Institute with an MA in Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy. Nicole attended California Lutheran University obtaining a BS degree in Math and Physics. After seeing the power of art in her own life, Nicole decided to pursue a profession which offers art therapy in other’s lives. Nicole has clinical experiences in community mental health, in non-profit agencies, in school-based settings, in medical settings, in higher education, and in supporting those working with young children. Nicole loves seeing the positive impact in other’s lives that the process of creating can offer. 

Nicole served as the SoCalATA Treasurer for 2023 and 2024. She values the connection and understanding that SoCalATA offers art therapists. Nicole is interested in becoming President Elect to continue the wonderful legacy that has been established and to encourage others in sharing their amazing gifts.

Nicole "Nic" Rademacher, LMFT, ATR-BC

secretary@socalarttherapy.org

Secretary

Nicole “Nic” Rademacher is a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a practicing professional artist and reunited Latine adoptee. In her clinical work, she combines somatic and creative therapies to support clients, with a specialization in helping adults who have experienced childhood trauma, particularly adoptees. Nicole holds an MA in Marital & Family Therapy with a specialization in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University, an MFA in Electronic Integrated Art from Alfred University, and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A dedicated community and team builder, Nicole excels in communication, interpersonal relationships, and organizational skills. She would be a valuable addition to the board and an asset in fostering collaboration and growth.

Susan Lee, LMFT, ATR-BC

treasurer@socalarttherpy.org

Treasurer 

Susan Lee, ATR-BC, is a dedicated art therapist with a deep passion for the field. She has extensive experience working with children in school settings, is currently a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and has served on their docent board. Susan’s strong organizational skills and attention to detail enhance her professional contributions. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics and art history, combined with her background in the financial sector, she possesses a strong understanding of financial matters that would be invaluable in the treasurer role. Susan would be a fantastic addition to SoCalATA, bringing expertise and enthusiasm to the board.

Andrea P. Cowan

delegate@socalarttherapy.org 

Chapter Delegate

Andrea P. Cowan is a San Diego based art therapist. She obtained her Master of Arts for Art Therapy and Counseling degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana and holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences with distinctions in Fine Art from San Diego State University.  She first obtained her clinical experience in mental health rehabilitation for adults and then spent a year with the Elizabeth Hospice leading art therapy sessions for adults and children facing the death of a loved one. Currently a group facilitator at a recovery center, Andrea conducts art therapy workshops for adults struggling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression. Her approach integrates art making principles with psychological theory and assists clients with exploring strengths and challenges. Her private art therapy practice continues to serve children experiencing the death of a parent and utilizes a range of art making techniques to support them with managing change and developing art based coping skills. As the chapter delegate for SoCalATA,  Andrea is committed to connecting art therapists in California with the broader AATA community.

Genia Young, LMFT, ATR-BC

multicultural@socalarttherapy.org

Genia Young (she/her/hers) is a Board Certified Art Therapist and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in art therapy, from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) as well as a Master’s Degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College.

Currently, she provides clinical art therapy services and art therapy supervision in both her private practice and at LMU where she is a part-time faculty member.  She is also a member of the Active Cultural Explorations Committee (ACE) that advises the art therapy department on cultural considerations in education and community outreach, including professional development to alumni on cultural awareness. 

Genia has been a member of SoCalATA since she was an art therapy student.  A few years after graduation, she volunteered as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee, then was elected President-Elect and succeeded as President in 2020.  

“Over the years I have become deeply invested in art therapy education and practice and the welfare of art therapists.  I believe that if I want to see a difference I need to make a difference.”

Chao Zhao, AMFT, ATR

laliaison@socalarttherapy.org 

Los Angeles County Regional Liaison

Chao Zhao is a Registered Art Therapist and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working in Los Angeles, California. She is a former financial planner, client relationship, and product manager. Driven by a passion for art and human lived experiences about mental health, she obtained her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy. Currently, her work focuses on community engagement and mental health stigma reduction, providing accessible mental health services for Asian Americans, immigrants, and their families to reconnect to their inner strengths.

Ventura County Regional Liaison

We need a Ventura County Liaison! Contact info@socalarttherapy.org!

Orange County Regional Liaison

We need a OC Liaison! Contact info@socalarttherapy.org!

Teresa Grame LCSW, ATR-BC, RPT-S

SDliaison@socalarttherapy.org

Santa Barbara Regional Liaison

We Need a SB Liaison! Contact info@socalarttherapy.org!

Madoka Urhausen, LMFT, ATR-BC

ethics@socalarttherapy.org 

Ethics Committee Chair

Madoka Urhausen (she/her/hers) works as a field instructor and art therapy supervisor in Loyola Marymount University’s graduate department of marital and family therapy with clinical art therapy. Additionally, Madoka is a program manager at the Guidance Center’s school-based program and runs a private practice offering intermodal expressive therapies. At SoCalATA, she was the Co-Chair of the Multicultural Committee, the Chapter Delegate, and is currently the Ethics Committee Chair.

Madoka volunteers at SoCalATA because she wants to help build a strong community of art therapists and make art therapy a viable choice of modality for consumers. 

“The leadership and learning opportunity I gained by serving in SoCalATA has been useful for my professional development. Inspirations and a sense of comradery with fellow art therapists are immensely satisfying. I hope to see more people get involved.”

Jackie Carson, LMFT, ATR

membership@socalarttherapy.org

Membership Committee Chair

Jackie Carlson received her Masters in Marital and Family Therapy with a specialization in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University and recently completed a certificate program in Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching. She expresses, "I'm very interested in addressing mental health through a holistic lens, which is what led me to study integrative nutrition health coaching."

Jackie currently works as an art therapist for Children's Hospital Orange County and has her own business that provides online coaching services. She has also worked at The Guidance Center, a community mental health clinic in Long Beach, providing school-based counseling services.

At SoCal ATA, Jackie is the Membership Committee Chair and has previously served as the Membership Committee Co-chair. Jackie volunteers at SoCal ATA to stay connected and build a community with local art therapists.