Brenda Abrahamson obtained her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.  She worked extensively in New York City's public school system working with at-risk children, adolescents, and their families in Lower Manhattan.  She worked with students both individually and in small groups within the school setting as part of the treatment team, as well as supervised graduate art therapy students completing their internships and graduate studies in art therapy.  

 

In addition to her art therapy work in New York City public schools, over the last several years, Brenda has also helped work on a research project focused on proving the effectiveness of art therapy for students within public school settings, particularly focusing on self-esteem, affect regulation and impulse control.  In November 2013 in New York City, Brenda also participated in the art exhibition "Standing Tall: Celebrating Resiliency in the NYU Art Therapy in Schools Program" helping gain awareness for art therapy and the impact art therapy has made on our youth and their families.

 

Prior to her work in art therapy, Brenda received her Bachelors degree with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  While completing her studies, she worked within Victim-Witness Services at the District Attorney's Office-Children's Court as well as began her work in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis with children with autism spectrum disorders.  She continues to combine her knowledge, skills, and training in the fields of Art Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis to effectively provide treatment to diverse populations with a variety of goals and treatment needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



BRENDA ABRAHAMSON, MA, ATPQ, ATR-BC                                                                                                     ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education

9/2005 – 5/2007     New York University,                                                                                                         New York, NY

                               Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

                               M.A. in Art Therapy

 

9/1999 – 5/2003     University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                                                                               Milwaukee, WI

                               Helen Bader School of Social Welfare

                               B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology

 

Professional Licenses and Certifications

2014                       Licensed Psychotherapist in Québec

2010                       Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in the State of New York

2010                       Board Certified Registered Art Therapist

2009                       Registered Art Therapist

 

Affiliations

                               Association des Art-Thérapeutes du Québec

                               American Art Therapy Association

                               Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada

 

Professional Experience

1/14- Present          Private Practice, Art Therapist                                                                                           Montréal, QC

                               • Provides art therapy services to children, adolescents, and young adults.

                               • Provides individual and small group services.

 

1/06 – 11/2013       Art Therapy in the Lower Manhattan Public Schools, Senior Art Therapist              New York, NY

                               • Provided extensive support for students, teachers, and families in downtown Manhattan.

                               • Provided individual and small group sessions for at-risk children and adolescents in acute and 

                                 chronic distress.

                               • Referrals for outside evaluations and therapeutic treatment.

                               • Developing classroom interventions and leading student, parent, and faculty workshops.

                               • Responsible for training and supervising New York University graduate level art therapy interns.

 

7/08 – 6/2013         Self-Employed, ABA Therapist / SEIT                                                                            New York, NY

                               • Worked as part of a treatment team within home and school settings to develop and maintain  

                                 academic, social, and community skills following principles of ABA and DTT data collection.

 

9/08 – 11/2009       The McCarton School, Art Therapist / Part-Time ABA Instructor                                New York, NY

                               • Using art therapy ranging from sensory-based pre-symbolic exploration and expression to more    

                                 representational symbolic expression.

                               • Used discrete trials and focused largely on academics, social, and self-help skills.

 

9/06 – 5/07             The League Treatment Center, Graduate Art Therapy Intern                                       Brooklyn, NY

                               • Ran individual and classroom art therapy sessions for young children with developmental delays,

                                 emotional disturbance, autism, and other mental health needs.

                               • Led art therapy groups for multiple family parent/child dyads.

 

9/05 – 5/2006         New York Institute for Special Education, Graduate Art Therapy Intern                          Bronx, NY

                               • Observed and co-lead student art therapy groups, as well as managed an individual caseload of

                                 students within a 5 day residential program.

 

6/04- 9/2006           Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Washington                                                Seattle, WA

                               Academic Summer Program, Classroom Teacher

                               Transitions for Teens Summer Program, Classroom Teacher

                               • Used Applied Behavior Analysis and Precision Teaching through fluency-based instruction in school  

                                 and community-based settings.

 

6/03 – 8/2005         Self-Employed, Lead ABA Therapist                                                                                 Seattle, WA

                               • Managed home programs for children with autism.

                               • Taught academic and social skills by using Applied Behavior Analysis and Precision Teaching

                                 through fluency-based instruction.

                               • Worked as part of a treatment team and administered assessments, analyzed data, and made

                                 programming decisions to meet treatment goals.

 

1/03 – 5/2003         District Attorney’s Office-Children’s Court, Victim-Witness Services Intern            Milwaukee, WI

                               • Assisted victims, witnesses, and their families through the court process and judicial system, as

                                 well as provided resources and support for emotional and psychological challenges associated

                                 with being a crime victim. 

 

9/02 – 5/2003         Wisconsin Early Autism Project, ABA Therapist                                                         Milwaukee, WI

                               • Provided 1-on-1 therapy for a child with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis techniques based

                                 on the work of Dr. Ivar Lovaas within a home setting.