About Me

Artist & Art Therapist: Life is art...try it.

The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapists as practitioners that “are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions, and the healing potential of art.”

Art therapy emerged in the 1930's and was first recognized as a human service profession in the 1950's. Art therapists may provide art therapy services as primary form of treatment or it can be parallel or adjunctive in treatment found in many different settings, such as clinical, educational, rehabilitative, and mental health settings.What is an ATR-BC?

Today's art therapists come from a wide variety of educational experiences, but if they are true art therapists have a masters degree in art therapy. A board certified art therapist is one who has passed a board certification exam, given by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). This exam creates some uniformity in the scope of practice in the field of art therapy.

Some states consider this exam a licensing exam. At this time Oregon does not.

"In my work with clients, I use an eclectic approach, tailoring to the needs of each individual client, even in a group setting. I see the art my clients create as a safe holding space or a “transitional object." This approach works with anyone and provides one with the opportunity to project struggles and/or concerns interfering with daily life while addressing them in a structured and safe environment."

~Artistic Support
In addition to my clinical training at Marylhurst University, I have also been showing my own art nationally since the 1980's. With an undergraduate training in the fine arts, I can support your process while understanding the complexities of media. In addition to an art therapist, I am also a writer, painter and assemblage artist.

~Professional Development Coach
Training/education is not all a clinician needs to build and navigate the private practive world. In addition to vital clinical training, clinicians in private practice also have to contend with business and marketing. In a time when you would like to start your own practice, Short is available to coach you one on one in developing your professional identity by aiding in creating a strong resume, interviewing, creating website content, online/print marketing and more.

~ATR Supervision
Any mental health clinician who has not received a Master's in Art therapy may not be a true art therapist. When a clinician has an ATR they are a registered art therapist and have fulfilled the requirements of the ATCB (Art Therapy Credentials Board). In order to become a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) the ATCB requires the completion of master’s level education (including art therapy core curriculum and supervised practicum and internship experiences), as well as post-education supervised clinical experience. Short provides supervision in both a 1:1 and group format.
For more details regarding requirements and to search for a provider in your area please see the Art Therapy Credentials Board

If you are interested in a phone consultation for more information please call (503) 232-3457 or email me directly at bethann@the100thmonkeystudio.com

Office Hours: Days, some evenings and weekend
ATR Supervision: Yes
Credentials/Licenses: ATR-BC Nationally Registered Art Therapist with ATCB since 2001(Board Certified 2009)
Member of the American Art Therapy Associaion since 1997
Treatment Age(s): 8 years through adult
Sliding Scale: Yes ($60-$90 based on household income)
Accept Insurance: No
Specialties: Individual, some family and group therapy. Methods may include art therapy, PhotoTherapy, sandtray therapy and verbal process.
Professional Development advising and coaching for mental health clinicians.
Areas of specific clinical interest include: Type 1 Diabetes work with youth, separation, grief/loss, chronic & terminal medical conditions.

Beth Ann Short MA, ATR-BC comes from the Great Lakes region, living in both Michigan and Ontario throughout her youth. Short attended Alma College for her undergraduate degree, double majoring in Art and English. In 1992 Short migrated to the Pacific Northwest, continuing to write, as well as make and show art. Here she found inspiration in the juxtapose of natural life, city life and a diverse community. Short continued to create while putting her roots down in Portland. Short received a Masters in Art Therapy from Marylhurst University in 1999 and is a board certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board, as well as a member of the American Art Therapy Association.

Short has shown her art nationally since the 90's, but has been making art since she was a small child. Short attests that her art is a witness to her life experiences. Using traditional training plus a drive to push limits in media she expresses her vision of how our senses might experience life. In her art, Short works in an organic approach reacting to the struggles and successes of media.

Short’s true passion is supporting others. Since 1997, she has had work experiences using the expressive arts in medical, outpatient, inpatient, juvenile justice, school-based settings and with at-risk youth. Short has experience in working with groups, couples, families and individuals. Her educational and clinical background specializes in Art Therapy, although Short has also been trained in traditional verbal methodologies, Family Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy and PhotoTherapy.

In 2006 Short co-founded the 100th Monkey Studio, a community open art studio and gallery. In this space Short saw her dream become real, providing the community, individuals of all ages and backgrounds, a place to engage in the expressive arts on many levels. It is the studios mission to support artists in their unique journey of using art as a means of individual self-expression. The 100th Monkey Studio is also dedicated to providing the community with art resources while also being a creative place to visit and view art.

In addition to running the art therapy program in the 100th Monkey Studio Short also curates Evolve Gallery (within the 100th Monkey). Short also has a small private practice, provides in-service presentations and sits on panels to inform the public about the benefits of Art Therapy. Short also sits on the ATCB Credential Committee and works as a part-time professor in the summers teaching elementary education students to use fine arts throughout their curriculum while support students with learning differences.