Board of Directors
President - Jacenta Irlanda, MA, LPC, ATR-P
Jacenta is a mental health therapist working towards obtaining her ATR and LPC. She earned her Masters of Arts: Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, CO.
She currently works with adults on probation at Specialized Offender Services in Denver as a practicing art therapist and psychotherapist for the past three years. She has been a part of HeART Talks for the Colorado Heritage Adoption Camps for five years providing psychoeducational art therapy based groups to adoptive children and families. In addition, she has worked as a contract therapist for many locations such as nursing homes and crisis facilities.
Utilizing superhero psychology and art therapy has been the focused passion leading to her speaking at conventions and giving talks for podcasts on how to use superheroes and comics in therapeutic practice. Trauma-Informed, Humanistic, Mindfulness, and Jungian Psychology have been the approaches and modalities for her personal practice.
Jacenta is a mental health therapist working towards obtaining her ATR and LPC. She earned her Masters of Arts: Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, CO.
She currently works with adults on probation at Specialized Offender Services in Denver as a practicing art therapist and psychotherapist for the past three years. She has been a part of HeART Talks for the Colorado Heritage Adoption Camps for five years providing psychoeducational art therapy based groups to adoptive children and families. In addition, she has worked as a contract therapist for many locations such as nursing homes and crisis facilities.
Utilizing superhero psychology and art therapy has been the focused passion leading to her speaking at conventions and giving talks for podcasts on how to use superheroes and comics in therapeutic practice. Trauma-Informed, Humanistic, Mindfulness, and Jungian Psychology have been the approaches and modalities for her personal practice.
Government Affairs Chair - Evan Honerkamp, MA, LPC, ATR-P
Evan is the Owner/Director of Studio Spectral LLC, an art therapy private practice for LGBTQAI adults and teens in Denver, Colorado. His clients use image-making, mindfulness, role-playing and present moment interaction between the art, client and therapist relationship to address various Queer-tinted challenges. Grief, childhood trauma, ineffective communication, gender dysphoria, shame, anxiety and anger are frequent themes that arise within the therapy sessions at Studio Spectral LLC. He pulls from various spiritual systems, attachment theory, assertiveness training, Gestalt, DBT & ACT models, social justice/feminist activism, grief tenets, and his personal trials and tribulations history to create an integrative, individualized, and person-centered space for each client's personal growth and healing. In addition, he continues his decade-plus-long engagement in community mental health to advocate, educate, and support those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Evan earned his Masters in Transpersonal Art Therapy & Counseling Psychology at Naropa University in Boulder, earned his LPC in 2019 and he is working toward ATR status.
Evan is the Owner/Director of Studio Spectral LLC, an art therapy private practice for LGBTQAI adults and teens in Denver, Colorado. His clients use image-making, mindfulness, role-playing and present moment interaction between the art, client and therapist relationship to address various Queer-tinted challenges. Grief, childhood trauma, ineffective communication, gender dysphoria, shame, anxiety and anger are frequent themes that arise within the therapy sessions at Studio Spectral LLC. He pulls from various spiritual systems, attachment theory, assertiveness training, Gestalt, DBT & ACT models, social justice/feminist activism, grief tenets, and his personal trials and tribulations history to create an integrative, individualized, and person-centered space for each client's personal growth and healing. In addition, he continues his decade-plus-long engagement in community mental health to advocate, educate, and support those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Evan earned his Masters in Transpersonal Art Therapy & Counseling Psychology at Naropa University in Boulder, earned his LPC in 2019 and he is working toward ATR status.
Treasurer - Linda MA, LPC, ATR, LAC
Linda works at Jefferson Center for Mental Health providing behavioral health services in an integrated setting with STRIDE Community Health Center where focus is on mind, body, spirit. In this environment she utilizes traditional, art, and solution-focused therapies. She is a licensed addictions counselor and has extensive experience in Substance Use Disorders from 10 years working at Arapahoe House. She has a master's degree in art therapy from St Mary of the Woods College.
Linda works at Jefferson Center for Mental Health providing behavioral health services in an integrated setting with STRIDE Community Health Center where focus is on mind, body, spirit. In this environment she utilizes traditional, art, and solution-focused therapies. She is a licensed addictions counselor and has extensive experience in Substance Use Disorders from 10 years working at Arapahoe House. She has a master's degree in art therapy from St Mary of the Woods College.
PR Chair - Lara Rutledge MA (In Progress)
Lara K. Rutledge is entering her third year of the Mental Health Counseling and Transpersonal Art Therapy Program at Naropa University. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Bachelor of Asian Art History from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to attending graduate school, Lara worked as a yoga and meditation instructor and with children and families in early childhood education. Along with her role with CO-ATA, Lara currently serves as Support Group Facilitator for the Epilepsy Foundation. She holds the State of Colorado Registered Psychotherapist credential.
Lara works with clients to address anxiety, trauma, depression and life transitions through a mindful, art- based lens. With warmth and presence, Lara supports her clients to explore issues related to self esteem, self care, attachment, family systems, relationships, spirituality and womanhood. She is passionate about listening to her clients and bearing witness to their self expression through art- making mediums, such as painting, collage, clay and drawing. She strives to engage in client- centered therapy and takes time to assist her clients in finding the tools that will support their well being.
Lara K. Rutledge is entering her third year of the Mental Health Counseling and Transpersonal Art Therapy Program at Naropa University. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Bachelor of Asian Art History from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to attending graduate school, Lara worked as a yoga and meditation instructor and with children and families in early childhood education. Along with her role with CO-ATA, Lara currently serves as Support Group Facilitator for the Epilepsy Foundation. She holds the State of Colorado Registered Psychotherapist credential.
Lara works with clients to address anxiety, trauma, depression and life transitions through a mindful, art- based lens. With warmth and presence, Lara supports her clients to explore issues related to self esteem, self care, attachment, family systems, relationships, spirituality and womanhood. She is passionate about listening to her clients and bearing witness to their self expression through art- making mediums, such as painting, collage, clay and drawing. She strives to engage in client- centered therapy and takes time to assist her clients in finding the tools that will support their well being.
Membership Chair - Janice Martindale MA, LPCC
Currently, Janice is an art therapist at The Blue Bench in Denver, where she works with survivors of sexual assault. Prior experience includes trauma-focused treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders and individuals battling difficult medical conditions. In addition, she has worked with survivors escaping sex trafficking with emphasis in providing safety and stabilization. Through this experience, Janice has continued to focus on providing a safe environment for trauma survivors.
As an art therapist, Janice believes in the healing potential of the art making process. Among many properties, art making provides the individual an opportunity to connect with their internal experience. Janice works with each individual to encourage the cultivation of awareness and personal insight. She utilizes strength-based, person-centered, and trauma-informed modalities to provide the tools necessary for the healing process to occur.
- Janice is a mental health counselor and art therapist working towards licensure for LPC and ATR. She earned an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Transpersonal Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder.
Currently, Janice is an art therapist at The Blue Bench in Denver, where she works with survivors of sexual assault. Prior experience includes trauma-focused treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders and individuals battling difficult medical conditions. In addition, she has worked with survivors escaping sex trafficking with emphasis in providing safety and stabilization. Through this experience, Janice has continued to focus on providing a safe environment for trauma survivors.
As an art therapist, Janice believes in the healing potential of the art making process. Among many properties, art making provides the individual an opportunity to connect with their internal experience. Janice works with each individual to encourage the cultivation of awareness and personal insight. She utilizes strength-based, person-centered, and trauma-informed modalities to provide the tools necessary for the healing process to occur.
Peer Supervision Chair - Kerry Jessup MA, LPC, LCAT, ATR-BC
Kerry works at Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan, a state psychiatric hospital serving adults with severe and persistent mental illness. In addition to facilitating art therapy groups and individual sessions, she teaches trauma-informed yoga classes at CMHIFL. She joined the CO-ATA Board as the Peer Supervision Chair in 2020.
Kerry has worked with hundreds of adults and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric hospitals in Denver and New York City. She has also worked extensively with foster care youth and their families, victims of sex trafficking and exploitation, and marginalized populations including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. She specializes in treating psychotic disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and acute, chronic, and complex trauma.
Kerry earned a MA in Art Therapy from New York University in 2015. Her internship sites in graduate school included Bellevue Hospital and The Emerald Sketch, an organization that serves the children and families affected by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. She is licensed at the state-level in Colorado and New York, and is board certified by the American Art Therapy Association. Kerry has been a yoga practitioner for over a decade and became a registered yoga teacher in 2015. She lives and works in Denver.
Kerry works at Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan, a state psychiatric hospital serving adults with severe and persistent mental illness. In addition to facilitating art therapy groups and individual sessions, she teaches trauma-informed yoga classes at CMHIFL. She joined the CO-ATA Board as the Peer Supervision Chair in 2020.
Kerry has worked with hundreds of adults and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric hospitals in Denver and New York City. She has also worked extensively with foster care youth and their families, victims of sex trafficking and exploitation, and marginalized populations including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. She specializes in treating psychotic disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and acute, chronic, and complex trauma.
Kerry earned a MA in Art Therapy from New York University in 2015. Her internship sites in graduate school included Bellevue Hospital and The Emerald Sketch, an organization that serves the children and families affected by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. She is licensed at the state-level in Colorado and New York, and is board certified by the American Art Therapy Association. Kerry has been a yoga practitioner for over a decade and became a registered yoga teacher in 2015. She lives and works in Denver.
Website Chair - Lindsay Ritscher, MS, LPC, ATR-P
Lindsay works at Mount Saint Vincent as supervisor to the Creative Arts Therapy Team. She provides services to children and families in Mount Saint Vincent’s residential and day treatment programs, including art therapy, crisis intervention, case management, individual, family, and group therapy. Prior clinical experience includes working as a school and clinic-based therapist for Child and Family Services in Fall River, MA, as well as providing art therapy services for the child and adolescent psychiatric hospital at Marillac Children’s Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. Lindsay has a graduate degree in Art Therapy from Emporia State University and is phase two (train the trainer) certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT).
Lindsay primarily works with children and families impacted by developmental or relational trauma. Her work is guided by aspects of humanistic and psychodynamic counseling theories with a strong neurodevelopmental lens. She utilizes child-directed art therapy techniques to provide space for children to use art as a means of symbolic expression and communication. She also uses knowledge of the expressive therapies continuum (ETC) to guide interaction with art media to promote balanced growth, development and emotional regulation in her child clients.
Lindsay works at Mount Saint Vincent as supervisor to the Creative Arts Therapy Team. She provides services to children and families in Mount Saint Vincent’s residential and day treatment programs, including art therapy, crisis intervention, case management, individual, family, and group therapy. Prior clinical experience includes working as a school and clinic-based therapist for Child and Family Services in Fall River, MA, as well as providing art therapy services for the child and adolescent psychiatric hospital at Marillac Children’s Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. Lindsay has a graduate degree in Art Therapy from Emporia State University and is phase two (train the trainer) certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT).
Lindsay primarily works with children and families impacted by developmental or relational trauma. Her work is guided by aspects of humanistic and psychodynamic counseling theories with a strong neurodevelopmental lens. She utilizes child-directed art therapy techniques to provide space for children to use art as a means of symbolic expression and communication. She also uses knowledge of the expressive therapies continuum (ETC) to guide interaction with art media to promote balanced growth, development and emotional regulation in her child clients.
AATA Chapter Delegate Starting Jan 2021- Patrica Zeyher, MA, LPCC, NCC, ATR-P (In Progress)
Trica is a clinical mental health counselor and art therapist working toward licensure for LPC and ATR. She earned a dual MA degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, while completing her practicum and internship in Colorado through Colorado Recovery, and Mental Health Partners in Boulder and Lafayette.
Currently, Trica is an art therapist in private practice working remotely, where she works primarily with LGBTQIA adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with anxiety and depression, along with various mental health challenges. She also is the alumni public relations representative for the Edinboro University Student Art Therapy Association.
Trica views the art therapeutic relationship as a partnership. Through utilizing the creative process, Trica encourages engagement in one’s own self-improvement, based on their chosen goals and themes of exploration.
Trica is a clinical mental health counselor and art therapist working toward licensure for LPC and ATR. She earned a dual MA degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, while completing her practicum and internship in Colorado through Colorado Recovery, and Mental Health Partners in Boulder and Lafayette.
Currently, Trica is an art therapist in private practice working remotely, where she works primarily with LGBTQIA adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with anxiety and depression, along with various mental health challenges. She also is the alumni public relations representative for the Edinboro University Student Art Therapy Association.
Trica views the art therapeutic relationship as a partnership. Through utilizing the creative process, Trica encourages engagement in one’s own self-improvement, based on their chosen goals and themes of exploration.
Student Liaison - Chelsea Richards MA (In Progress)
Chelsea is an aspiring Art Therapist pursuing a graduate degree in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University this fall.
She has been teaching art in Colorado for the past 5 years and specializes in working with at-risk and under served demographics, such as jail inmates, seniors, recovering youth, and individuals with disabilities.
As an artist, Chelsea enjoys working with mixed media, encaustic painting, resin, and is always excited to explore new media. She also loves adventuring through colorful Colorado, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Chelsea is an aspiring Art Therapist pursuing a graduate degree in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Naropa University this fall.
She has been teaching art in Colorado for the past 5 years and specializes in working with at-risk and under served demographics, such as jail inmates, seniors, recovering youth, and individuals with disabilities.
As an artist, Chelsea enjoys working with mixed media, encaustic painting, resin, and is always excited to explore new media. She also loves adventuring through colorful Colorado, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
