Navigating the Shadows: Working with Grief, Death, and Loss

February 15-16, 2024
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Day 3, February 15, 2025

Migration, Mourning and Life Stories in Art Therapy

Migration and exile are social traumas; they deprive the individual of a holding environment and confront them with various losses.  Although these are inherent to migration, they receive little attention in research and intervention, both tending to
emphasize adjustment and integration to the detriment of processing loss.
This presentation envisions art therapy as a means of understanding and soothing the suffering caused by migratory mourning, while fostering hope and healing. Based on
examples drawn from the author’s research projects, its aim is to highlight the contribution of art and mythology in supporting the grieving process. The hero’s myth consists in a perilous journey followed by a return to normal life with a boon. Its general
pattern can be envisioned as an archetypal manifestation of the migratory journey. Based on evocative images, the presentation will allow a better understanding of migrants’ existential challenges.
The intensity of migratory mourning may vary from one situation to another, from mild to unbearable. Because of a lack of proper understanding of this phenomenon, professionals often confuse migrants’ suffering with mental illness, thus offering inappropriate treatments that may augment migrants’ distress. Achotegui (2014)
developed the concept of the “Ulysses syndrome” to de-pathologize migratory mourning.

Objectives:
At the end of the presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Examine the psychological and existential challenges of migration and exile, including the concept of migratory mourning and its impact on individuals' well-being.
2. Explore the therapeutic potential of art therapy and mythology, including the hero's journey, to support the grieving process and foster hope in migrants.
3. Understand the "Ulysses Syndrome" framework to differentiate migratory mourning from mental illness and promote culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions.
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Vera Heller, PhD, ATPQ

Vera Heller is an art therapist, social worker, psychotherapist, and visual artist with over 25 years of clinical experience working with adults, children, families, and couples. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to the interdisciplinary nature of art therapy and multimodal expressive therapies. Vera’s approach is deeply rooted in phenomenological, arts-based research, with a particular focus on intercultural intervention, artistic processes, and narrative identity, all explored through the lens of depth psychology.
Her academic path includes a Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University (USA), an M.A. in Art Therapy from Concordia University in Montreal, a B.A. in Visual Arts from Concordia University, and a B.A. in Social Work from Laval University in Quebec.
In addition to her clinical work, Vera maintains an active artistic practice.

Finding Meaning Through Suffering: An Existential Art Therapy Approach

"An existential approach to art therapy involves a willingness to accept and confront Yalom's (1980) four ultimate concerns of existence: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. Though seemingly unpleasant, all humans face these realities of their existence.  It is therefore critical for art therapists to be able to meet their clients' needs when these concerns arise and to tolerate, rather than shy away from, what the client brings to a session. This presentation will elaborate on Moon's (2009) concept of existential art therapy and intertwine his theories with Frankl's (1973) assertation that meaning can be found through adversity. The presenter will share clinical and historical examples of addressing and exploring these existential concerns through art making in an attempt to find meaning in suffering.

Frankl, V. (1973). The doctor and the soul: From psychotherapy to logotherapy. New York: Vintage Books.
Moon, B. (2009). Existential Art Therapy: The Canvas Mirror. Springfield, Il: Charles C. Thomas.
Yalom, I. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. New York, NY: Basic Books. "

Objectives:
Bythe end of the presentation, the participants will:
1. Participants will be able to articulate Yalom's four existential concerns
2. Participants will be able to articulate Frankl's pathways towards meaning
3. Participants will be able to articulate how art making can facilitate meaning
4. Participants will be able to differentiate existential theory from psychodynamic theory
5. Participants will be able to identify 3 ways in which art making can lead to finding meaning

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Elizabeth Hlavek, DAT, ATR-BC, LCPAT

Elizabeth Hlavek is a clinician, scholar, and art therapy advocate. She has worked in private practice since 2012 specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Elizabeth spearheaded efforts to develop a clinical art therapy license in her
home state of Maryland, and subsequently sat on the MD Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, and later the AATA Board of Directors.
In 2019 Elizabeth completed her doctorate in art therapy. Her research examined artwork
made by victims in Nazi captivity which she grounded to existential theory. Her book, A Meaning-Based Approach to Art Therapy: From the Holocaust to Contemporary Practices, details her phenomenological study in which she interviewed surviving artists
about their experiences creating artwork. She posited that art-making allowed victims to find meaning in their experience, a concept that informs her clinical work.

Build Your Own Boat: A Creative Tool for the Exploration of Grief & Trauma

Build Your Own Boat: A Creative Tool for the Exploration of Grief & Trauma by Sharon Herriet is an expressive arts therapy intervention using the metaphor of boat-building to navigate loss and trauma. Participants create boats from various materials, symbolizing emotions, coping strategies, and resilience. This hands-on approach enables the externalization of complex feelings and promotes healing through non-verbal expression.

The method fosters emotional processing, builds resilience, and supports narrative reconstruction, particularly benefiting those struggling to articulate grief and trauma. Case studies highlight its effectiveness in empowering individuals to visualize progress and reclaim agency in their healing journey.

Objectives:
After this presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Explore how the metaphor of boat-building can facilitate the externalization and processing of grief and trauma in a therapeutic context.
2. Understand the use of expressive arts therapy as a tool for promoting resilience, emotional regulation, and narrative reconstruction.
3. Learn practical applications of the "Build Your Own Boat" intervention to empower clients in articulating and navigating their healing journey.


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Sharon Herriot, MA, BAAT

Sharon is an experienced Art Psychotherapist and trainer, with over a decade of expertise in supporting mental well-being and emotional resilience. Co-founder of The Potting Shed, a creative space in Derbyshire, UK, she collaborates with Bethan Baëz-Devine to offer retreats for therapists and counselors, fostering professional growth through creative exploration.

Currently working at Dawn House School in Nottinghamshire, Sharon specializes in art psychotherapy for children with significant communication needs, including those on the autism spectrum.

Additionally,she serves as an Art Psychotherapist at Catharsis Creative Arts Therapy, bringing their expertise to SEN schools and residential homes in the East Midlands. Their practice spans diverse settings, including hospice care, and highlights a commitment to creating safe, imaginative spaces for healing and growth.
For more information about The Potting Shed, visit their blog.

Expressive Arts Therapy for Grief Striken and Displaced Communities

This presentation explores the use of expressive therapy—combining art, movement, and simple directives—to support communities in Armenia and Lebanon affected by war and displacement.
Designed to alleviate grief stemming from the loss of loved ones, homes, and stability, the intervention revealed distinct perspectives on resilience and mourning. For the displaced Armenians, survivors often processed grief with a focus on rebuilding and future homes, while Lebanese clients tended to deny the war’s permanence, holding onto a vision of returning to their peaceful past. These differing narratives shaped how individuals engaged with the therapeutic process, and their motivation to do so.
The presentation will conclude with a brief experiential workshop, demonstrating a smple component of the intervention, focused on expressing emotions. This hands-on approach will provide attendees with practical insights into the role of art and movement in navigating trauma, loss, and resilience in conflict-affected communities.

Learning objectives:
By the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Explore how expressive therapy supports war-affected communities through art, movement, and simple directives.
2. Identify cultural differences in grief and resilience between displaced Armenians and Lebanese survivors.
3. Experience a practical intervention for emotional expression using art and movement.
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Mike Haroutioun Ayvazian, MA

After finishing his BA and Masters in Theatre studies, Mike Haroutioun Ayvazian decided to take his inclinations towards social work with vulnerable populations a step further and studied expressive arts therapy (and social change) psychodrama, clay field therapy and dance movement therapy all around Europe and the Mediterranean.

He has co-founded two NGOs in Lebanon, HeLeM, (1999) the first LGBTQIA+ NGO in the middle east, where he has also provided art/drama therapy sessions and staged plays with LGBTQIA+ beneficiaries, and Astharté (2016) an NGO that provides art therapies, trainings, coaching and community art to beneficiaries in Lebanon, Syria and Armenia. He also co-founded ‘For the Art’ therapy centre in 2020, where he has been providing free art therapies for victims of the Beirut blast and beyond.

He has also been teaching acting and cultural subjects in schools (between 2001 and 2023) and private universities since 2015.

Working With Early Infant Trauma in Art Therapy

This case presentation will explore the unique challenges encountered when working with adopted children, emphasizing how the creative process in art therapy can facilitate profound healing. Specifically, it will address the ways in which art therapy can support children struggling with loss, depression, suicidal tendencies, attachment difficulties, low self-esteem, a lack of life motivation, hypervigilance, control issues, unresolved past trauma, complex family dynamics, regressive behaviors, and future uncertainties. In light of these complexities, we will examine in which way the art materials, the creative process and the therapeutic relationship acquire an essential function, particularly when verbal communication and trust issues are at the core of this therapeutic work.

Objectives:
By the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Analyze the unique challenges faced by adopted children, including attachment difficulties, trauma, and complex family dynamics, and their impact on emotional well-being.
2. Explore how art materials and the creative process can support nonverbal expression and healing for adopted children dealing with loss, depression, and unresolved trauma.
3. Identify the essential role of the therapeutic relationship in building trust and fostering emotional resilience in adopted children through art therapy.
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Sibylle Cseri, MA, EFAT, FEAPA

Sibylle Cseri is a practicing art therapist with + 20 years of work experience. Throughout these years she has been developing this profession in Spain in collaboration with numerous institutions, particularly within the mental health sector.
Sibylle is also an accredited clinical supervisor and lecturer. She collaborates with Metáfora, an institute offering a master level art therapy training in Barcelona, with the Master’s of Art Therapy at the Kunstakademie Weissensee in Berlin, Germany and is invited frequently as guest lecturer internationally.
Sibylle is co-founder and member of the Spanish Association of Art Therapists (ATE), co-founder and member of the Spanish Federation of Art Therapy (FEAPA) and co-founder and member of the European Federation of Art Therapy. 
For further information: www.sibyllecseri.com

Integrating Mindfulness and Creativity: Healing Trauma, Building Resilience, and Cultivating an Inner Sense of Home

This workshop explores the integration of mindfulness and creativity as therapeutic tools for healing trauma, building resilience, and cultivating an inner sense of home. Drawing on Carl Jung’s archetypal theory and Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work on mindfulness, participants will learn how these approaches can guide clients through transformative healing journeys. By combining the practice of mindfulness with creative expression, therapists can help clients process trauma, navigate complex emotions, and foster a sense of belonging within themselves, regardless of external circumstances.

The workshop will include practical exercises and discussions that demonstrate how the integration of mindfulness and art therapy can deepen the therapeutic process. Participants will develop actionable skills to support clients’ emotional growth and resilience, especially in the context of trauma. This approach is grounded in research that highlights the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing trauma symptoms and promoting overall emotional well-being.

References:
Jung, C. G. (1968). *The archetypes and the collective unconscious* (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1959)
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). *Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness*. Delta Trade Paperbacks.

Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the basic principles of mindfulness and how they can be used with creative activities in trauma therapy.
2. Practice mindfulness exercises combined with art therapy to help clients process trauma.
3. Apply mindfulness and creative techniques to build their own emotional resilience as therapists.
4. Reflect on their personal experiences with mindfulness and creativity to enhance their therapeutic presence and self-care.
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Sarit Zeltzer, MA

Sarit Zeltzer, M.A., holds a B.F.A. from Bezalel Academy, and an M.A. from Lesley University. She is a trained Mindfulness-Based and Creative Arts Psychotherapist with advanced training in trauma therapy. With over 30 years of meditation practice and personal healing from trauma, she integrates mindfulness and creativity for emotional and mental healing.

Day 4, February 16, 2025

Create, Connect, Community: A Public Homeplace for Grieving Adults

The open studio approach to art therapy, which originated in psychiatric hospitals in the 1940s, has since been adapted to meet the diverse needs of various communities. Central to this approach is the belief that artistic creation holds inherent therapeutic value, and that self-directed art-making can facilitate personal healing. In the context of grief, those who have lost loved ones often struggle with feelings of isolation, disrupted interpersonal connections, and the challenge of redefining their identity. The creation of a public homespace within a community hospice offers vital support to grieving individuals while also working to reduce the stigma surrounding grief.
This presentation will explore an innovative social inclusion art therapy program designed for grieving adults. By drawing on current theories and research, we will demonstrate how engaging in art-making can enhance self-efficacy, improve quality of life, and alleviate symptoms of depression, with a focus on promoting health rather than pathology. Additionally, we will examine how this public homespace fosters connections between participants, their artwork, the physical environment, and their ongoing relationship with the deceased. We will also underscore the importance of providing a safe, stable, and consistent community during periods of transition and loss.
Through case examples and photographs of various art-making processes, we will illustrate how the studio serves as a space for creative possibility and healing. Furthermore, we will discuss the natural extension of the studio space into the garden and its associated benefits.
Participants in this program come together with a shared desire for community, and in doing so, they help to create it. Engaging in the creative process with others who have experienced loss offers numerous benefits. The shared experience of loss is the common thread, while the studio serves as a place where everyone is both an artist and a teacher. Here, art becomes a vessel for processing grief, engaging in rituals of remembrance, and cultivating post-traumatic growth.

Learning objectives:
By the end of the presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Identify the core principles and therapeutic benefits of the open studio approach in art therapy for individuals experiencing grief.
2. Examine the role of a public homespace in fostering social inclusion, reducing stigma around grief, and supporting community connection.
3. Explore how art-making and the integration of natural environments, such as gardens, can promote healing, self-efficacy, and post-traumatic growth in grieving individuals.
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Sarah Tevyaw, MA, ATR, ATPQ

Sarah Tevyaw is an art therapist specializing in palliative care and bereavement support. With over a decade of experience at the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, Sarah employs a humanistic approach, focusing on whole-person care. She uses visual arts such as painting, drawing, bookmaking, and hand casting to provide patients and their families—including young children—a creative outlet for expression and legacy-building during life’s most profound transitions.

In addition to her work in palliative care, Sarah has a private practice working with grieving individuals of all ages and other life challenges. Her compassionate practice fosters resilience and connection, offering those she supports new pathways for coping and healing through the transformative power of art therapy.

The Benefits of Art Hives for Older Adults

Grief is a pervasive experience that profoundly impacts older adults on multiple levels, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and existential dimensions. This presentation begins by exploring the diverse types of losses faced by older persons, including loss of independence, loved ones, and societal roles. Sondra Goldman introduces her innovative Art Hive initiative at the Maimonides Geriatric Center in Montreal as a creative response to these challenges.

The Art Hive serves as a vibrant community space where residents can socialize, foster a sense of belonging, and engage in meaningful artistic creation. Participants have the opportunity to express themselves, exhibit their artwork, and gain recognition—experiences highly valued by the older adults involved. The Art Hive also facilitates intergenerational exchanges, welcoming children from colleges, hospital staff, volunteers, and residents to share in creative and communal activities.
This model not only supports emotional resilience and community-building but also highlights the transformative potential of art and creativity in addressing grief and enhancing the quality of life for older individuals.

Objectives:
By the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to:
1. Identify the unique types of losses experienced by older adults and their impact on emotional, social, and existential well-being.
2. Explore the role of the Art Hive as a therapeutic and community-building tool for fostering social connection, creative expression, and intergenerational engagement among older adults.
3. Demonstrate the value of artistic creation and exhibition in enhancing resilience, self-worth, and a sense of belonging for older individuals facing grief and loss.
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Sondra Goldman, MA, ATPQ

Sondra Goldman (She/Her) is an accomplished Art Therapist, Supervisor, Developmental Transformations (DvT) Practitioner, Art Hives Consultant, and artist based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With nearly three decades of experience in geriatric and long-term care, Sondra has worked extensively with residents, staff, volunteers, family members, and students, fostering well-being and connection through the arts.

Sondra’s passion lies in community- and team-building through creative expression, with a particular focus on intergenerational and community-based projects. Her dedication to collective art-making extends to organizing workshops, lectures, and exhibitions across North America.

Beyond her clinical practice, Sondra continues to inspire and lead innovative artistic initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to the integration of creativity, community, and care.

Rolefulness and Collaborative Art Expression

In this presentation, we learn about a new psychological concept “rolefulness.” Rolefulness means the sense of role satisfaction we feel in our daily lives. Rolefulness includes two subfactors of social and internal rolefulness. We focus on what each factors represent and how we can improve them in our daily lives.

Second, we talk about the relationship between rolefulness and mental health based on our academic evidences. We will introduce the model that shows how rolefulness facilitates self-esteem and decrease depression.

Then we introduce the collaborative art expression group using LEGO blocks. The activity has a positive effect to improve rolefulness and it is a useful method to apply for people who are facing with loss and stress related growth.

Learning objectives:
Participants will:
1) be able to define what is rolefulness and explore the concept of social and internal rolefulness.
2) be able to explore the effects of rolefulness on our mental health.
3) be able to explore the relationships between rolefulness and collaborative art expression activities.
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Daiki Kato, PhD

Dr. Daiki Kato is a professor at Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan; his areas of study include clinical psychology and art therapy. He received a Bachelor of Education in 2003, a Master of Arts in 2005, and a Ph.D. in psychology in 2008 from Nagoya University. He received the encouragement award of Japanese association of collage therapy in 2023 for his research and contribution to the academic community.

He is now studying about a new psychological concept "rolefulness." Rolefulness means continuous sense of role satisfaction in our daily lives. He studies how rolefulness influences our mental health and interpersonal relationships.

He is a director of KIDS center, Kinjo Gakuin University since 2022. KIDS center is a center to support 0-2 years old children and their families. He organizes art expression group there based on his research evidence.
Daiki also writes short stories and he received gold prize at Kotonoha Nagoya literary award in 2023.

Building Resilience: Palliative Care and Art Therapy

Palliative care and art therapy are in alignment with one another’s purpose where they both provide individualized treatment goals. Additionally, palliative care and art therapy compliment one another to improve holistic patient care. Those with a serious illness often experience grief and existential concerns while possibly going through life altering medical procedures.

This presentation will identify the overlapping constructs between palliative care and art therapy through a case example and discussion that address the interplay of creatively processing medical experiences, grief, pain and symptom management and adjustment post hemicorporectomy.

Learning objectives
At the end of the presentation participants will:
1. Be able to enhance understanding of the overlapping constructs of palliative care’s purpose and incorporating art therapy into interdisciplinary care
2. Be able to increase insight on using art therapy as a means of non-linguistic communication to process grief
3. Be able to learn the steps of an art technique, foiling, to identify appropriate person’s that could utilize this medium to process experiences and meet treatment goals
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Leara Glinzak, PhD(c), ATR-BC, ATRL, ATCS, LPC-IT

Leara Glinzak is a Board-Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Art Psychotherapist, Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor, License Professional Counselor-In Training. She works with Veterans clinically. She also is the owner of I Light LLC and is the Clinical Coordinator Master of Arts in Counseling and Art Therapy at Edgewood College.

Ms. Glinzak is grounded in a person-centered theoretical orientation and leans into psychoanalytic. She is passionate about community-based art therapy to encourage self-transformation and healing. Her passion for advocating the benefits of art therapy led her to become a nationally-recognized presenter and workshop facilitator in the field of art therapy along with a keynote speaker. Her experience spans numerous areas of care and populations, including: grief and trauma, addiction, mental health, dementia, and pediatric hematology/oncology and palliative care.

She has been published in the peer-reviewed Art Therapy Journal, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Journal of Palliative Medicine, and Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing. Ms. Glinzak was also the former president of the Michigan Art Therapy Association and is a current Research Board Member of the American Art Therapy Association. She received a bachelor of arts in art therapy from Seton Hill University, a master of science in art therapy with a concentration in counseling from Mount Mary University, and she is a current Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University.

Therapy in Psycho-Oncology

Medical art therapy offers valuable support to individuals navigating the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer. This presentation explores three distinct art therapy interventions designed to help diverse cancer-affected populations process their experiences, find meaning, and strengthen resilience.
The first intervention, Creative Journey, developed by Paola Luzzatto, guides patients through their cancer battle by planting the seed of personal meaning-making. Applied by Roberta in an oncology rehabilitation center in Florence, Italy, this method fosters self-reflection and emotional processing. Artworks and patient testimonies will illustrate its impact.
The second intervention, Mother’s Journey, created by Roberta Cini, supports daughters whose mothers are affected by cancer. Through art-making, participants explore their emotions, fears, and connections, creating a space for expression and understanding. Images from these sessions will be shared.
Finally, the presentation will address art therapy in palliative care, offering a simple yet profound intervention to support patients in their final stages.

Objectives:
At the end of the presentation, the participants wil be able to:
1. explore how medical art therapy interventions can support cancer patients and their families in processing emotions, finding meaning, and enhancing well-being.
2. explore the applications of Creative Journey and Mother’s Journey in psycho-oncology settings, with insights from patient artwork and testimonies.
3. apply a simple art therapy intervention for palliative care patients, aimed at fostering comfort, expression, and connection in end-of-life care.
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Roberta Cini, MA

Roberta Cini is a psychologist, Jungian analyst, and art therapist based in Florence, Italy. She earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Florence in 1984 and later specialized in Art Therapy at the Italian Art Therapy Institute in Bologna. Since 1990, she has worked extensively in Oncology and Palliative Care services, integrating art therapy into terminal care. As a senior psychologist at the Oncology Rehabilitation Center and Hospice in Florence, she has used the symbolic language of art to help patients express their awareness of death and dying, facilitating emotional processing and communication. Through her work, she highlights the profound role of art therapy in supporting individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, offering them a means of expression, connection, and meaning in their final stages.
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Paola Luzzatto, PhD

Paola Luzzatto is a pioneer art therapist in Italy. She has a first degree in Philosophy (Italy), a Master in Education (USA) and a Ph.D. in Comparative Religions (Nigeria). She then trained in Art Psychotherapy at Goldsmith College, London, and she had further training in Psychoanalytic Studies (Tavistock Institute). Paola Luzzatto worked with psychiatric patients (including Alcohol, Drug and Eating Disorders) in London for eight years.
She then worked at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY for ten years, developing The Creative Journey for cancer patients (Clinical Award 2004 from AATA). More recently she spent ten years as Honorary Lecturer in Tanzania (2015-2022) where she developed the Autobiographic Protocol for Substance Use Disorders, and the Trauma Treatment protocol (TT-AT), which are now applied also in Europe.
Paola Luzzatto has written several articles in professional journals, the biography of the Austrian artist Susanne Wenger; a book on the Art Therapy Method and some Fairy Tales and Myths for children.

How to Support Grief Process in Pediatric Cancer Patients?

This presentation delves into the unique manifestations of grief in pediatric cancer patients across four developmental age groups: 0–2 years, 2–6 years, 6–10 years, and 10–16 years. It highlights the specific grief signs and emotional responses characteristic of each age range, providing a developmental framework for understanding their experiences. The second part of the presentation focuses on strategies to support grieving pediatric cancer patients, with a particular emphasis on art therapy interventions. Practical examples and techniques are shared to illustrate how creative expression can help children process their grief, foster emotional resilience, and navigate the challenges associated with their diagnosis. This session is designed to equip practitioners with insights and tools to address grief effectively in a pediatric oncology setting.

Objectives:
At the end of the presentation, the participants wil be able to:
1. Identify the developmental differences in grief expressions among pediatric cancer patients across four age groups: 0–2 years, 2–6 years, 6–10 years, and 10–16 years.
2. Explore strategies to support pediatric cancer patients experiencing grief, tailored to their developmental and emotional needs.
3. Apply art therapy interventions to help pediatric cancer patients process grief and build emotional resilience effectively.
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Manal Elewah, PhD

Founder and CEO of ART2CARE Program, the first art therapy program in the Middle East dedicated to children with cancer, and their families, launched in Cairo, Egypt in 2013. ART2CARE Program has provided Art Therapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer.
In the past 10 years, Dr. Elewah has presented her program in over 100 international conferences, organized over 2000 training workshops, participated in over 100 exhibitions, and conducted over 5000 art therapy sessions with population in need.
Dr. Elewah is holder of PhD in Healthcare Environmental Management from USA, Psychotherapy Diploma from Bulgaria, Certified Specialist Psychodrama Practitioner from UK, Specialist Sand Tray from Egypt, Certified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and Certified Expressive Arts Therapist from Canada.
Dr. Elewah values art as a means to assist/heal/support individuals in dealing with complex and confusing emotional issues. She continues to help children deal with the realities of painful medical procedures, using Art Therapy to develop emotional strength and stability.

Panel Discussion: Arts for Life

This panel explores the transformative power of art in navigating grief, with a focus on its therapeutic application in regions where formal arts therapies are not yet established, and training opportunities are limited. Bringing together diverse perspectives from art therapists, artists, and trauma specialists, the discussion will examine how creative expression provides a vital outlet for processing loss and fostering resilience.

Speakers will share experiences of working in communities where art becomes a bridge to healing in the absence of structured therapeutic frameworks. Through case studies and personal stories, the panel will highlight the use of visual arts, movement, and storytelling to engage with grief across diverse cultural and social contexts. By showcasing the unique ability of art to hold space for pain, connection, and hope, the session seeks to inspire innovation and creativity in addressing grief where traditional therapeutic resources are unavailable.
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Sahar Khalil, PhD

Sahar Khalil is a university professor of curriculum and methodology of teaching museum education and docent training at Art Education College, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt. She is interested in art for better life research. She is a member of the African Union Art Education Strategy Committee 2020–25; InSEA regional elected councillor for Africa and the Middle East, 2019–25; AFRAA elected chief editor and board member, and chair of the scientific committee 2020–25.
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Manal Ellewah, PhD

Founder and CEO of ART2CARE Program, the first art therapy program in the Middle East dedicated to children with cancer, and their families, launched in Cairo, Egypt in 2013. ART2CARE Program has provided Art Therapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer.
In the past 10 years, Dr. Elewah has presented her program in over 100 international conferences, organized over 2000 training workshops, participated in over 100 exhibitions, and conducted over 5000 art therapy sessions with population in need.
Dr. Elewah is holder of PhD in Healthcare Environmental Management from USA, Psychotherapy Diploma from Bulgaria, Certified Specialist Psychodrama Practitioner from UK, Specialist Sand Tray from Egypt, Certified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and Certified Expressive Arts Therapist from Canada.
Dr. Elewah values art as a means to assist/heal/support individuals in dealing with complex and confusing emotional issues. She continues to help children deal with the realities of painful medical procedures, using Art Therapy to develop emotional strength and stability.
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Shiphrah Mutungi Akandiinda, PhD

Shiphrah is currently a trauma healing expert working with DT Global. A cross-sector international development professional with 20+ years in peacebuilding, trauma healing and mental health, leadership development, organizational development, project and team management in both high risk and stable societies. Her entire 20 years of progressive development is grounded in managing nationwide or multiple country projects from design to exit focused on impact and sustainability. A confident organization leader with skills in large team development (employees and volunteers), capacity building, trust building, resiliency building and accountability. A peace builder through trauma healing with a decolonizing approach to identify local knowledge and resources relevant to specific contexts and uplift local voices to enable local ownership. Countries of work experience include Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Shiphrah holds an GC in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and a PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.
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Hanaa Aly Ayoub, MA

Hanaa Ayoub is an academic and researcher currently serving in the Department of English Language and Literature at the College of Arts, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Her scholarly interests encompass a wide range of literary disciplines, including Postcolonial Literature, Arabic Literature, World Literatures, Literary Theory, and English Literature.
Hanaa’s research explores the intersections of culture, identity, and narrative across global and regional literary landscapes. Her work bridges traditional Arabic literary heritage with contemporary literary theories, offering fresh insights into the dynamic relationships between local and global texts.
At King Saud University, Hanaa contributes to advancing the study of literature through teaching, mentorship, and research. She is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting critical thinking in the exploration of literary works from diverse traditions.
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Rahma Benhamou El Madani

Rahma Benhamou el Madani is a Franco-Moroccan filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter known for her poignant storytelling and artistic vision. Born in Algeria, to Moroccan parents, she moved to France at the age of six and grew up in Bordeaux.
Rahma pursued academic studies in linguistics, literature, and cinema, which laid the foundation for her unique approach to filmmaking. In 1996, she founded her production company, Plein Cadres, enabling her to create a platform for producing documentaries and feature films that explore social, cultural, and existential themes. Her works often bridge the gap between personal narratives and broader societal issues.
Notable films in her repertoire include Salt Pact (2023), Seule, encrée dans le sol (2023), and Le Peuple (2025), which have been celebrated for their depth and emotional resonance. Rahma is recognized not only for her directing but also for her contributions to writing, producing, and sometimes filming her projects herself. Her work continues to garner acclaim for its exploration of identity, resilience, and human connection.
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Osama Ali Mohamed Ahmed, PhD

Professor, Faculty of Music Education
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