Mel Alexander, ATR, LMFT

president@socalarttherapy.org

Co-President 

Mel Alexander is a Registered Art Therapist, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in San Bernardino, California. They are currently working through an online service providing therapy services to kids, adolescents, and adults, and are also working on setting up their own therapeutic art making program called Artistic Options Art Therapy. Mel loves being able to aide individuals in expressing themselves through making art, and enjoys seeing clients grow and change with the help of art. Mel received a B.F.A. in Animation and Illustration at California State University Fullerton, and their M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy/Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University.

Other current positions: San Bernadino Liaison 

Eileen Garcia, LMFT, ATR

president@socalarttherapy.org

 Co-President 

Joyce Yip Green, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC

secretary@socalarttherapy.org

Secretary

Joyce Yip Green earned her PhD in International Psychology, Organizations and Systems concentration at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and received her Masters degree in Marital & Family Therapy/Clinical Art Therapy at Loyola Marymount University. For over 20 years, she has worked as an art therapist serving individuals and families across the lifespan. Her extensive experience includes program oversight of community-based programs serving children 0-5 and their families as well as the mental health programs at several community college health centers in LA County. Her current role is as assistant professor and research director at Loyola Marymount University Graduate Art Therapy Program. Her current research utilizes arts-based methodologies to examine the experiences of immigration and acculturation, particularly of those who have been impacted by war and displacement from Laos and South Korea. She is committed to further the work of art therapists in California and connecting to the larger national AATA. She hopes to support the integration of the art therapy community across all levels of the profession, from student to professional and retired members. She envisions SoCalATA to be a driving force in improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Her passions and skills in effective organization, thorough record-keeping and clear communication suits her of Secretary.

Nicole Sylvia Imhof Sherrod, LMFT, ATR

treasurer@socalarttherpy.org

Treasurer 

Nicole Sylvia Imhof Sherrod is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist who graduated in 2015 from Phillips Graduate Institute with an MA in Psychology with emphasis in MFT and art therapy. Nicole went to California Lutheran University for her BS degree in Math and Physics. After seeing the power of art in her own life, Nicole decided to pursue a profession to offer art therapy in other’s lives. Nicole acquired her clinical experiences in community mental health and with non-profit agencies. Currently, Nicole works with the Cedars Sinai Share & Care program offering group support to students in schools and incorporating art experiences. Also, with the LMU art therapy clinic and Cedars Sinai, Nicole works as a clinician providing group art therapy for people who have had a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, Nicole teaches an introductory art therapy undergraduate course at Biola University. Nicole loves seeing the process of creating make a positive impact in other’s lives. Nicole in interested in growing professionally and enjoys  combining her love of numbers with her love of art therapy to serve as the treasurer for SoCalATA.

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

Multicultural Committee (Liaison), Honors Committee Chair

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

 Heidi Parker (she/her/hers) is the Community Initiatives Manager for UCLArts & Healing and is passionate about connecting with individuals and groups at the intersection of public health, expressive arts, and community. A Chicago native, she graduated from DePaul University with a B.A. in Studio Art and received a M.A. in Art Therapy from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She previously worked as an LPC and art therapist at The Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois in Belleville, IL and the Center for Hope & Safety in Salem, OR. She relocated to Ventura in 2021 and is excited to connect with the southern CA art therapy network.

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.