WNYATA Board Members
Sarah Brasse, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT
President
Sarah is currently an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Supervisor in the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Nazareth College of Rochester. Sarah received her Master’s of Science degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College in 2007, with background in Psychology. She holds a certificate of specialization in Autism as well as a certificate in Trauma-Informed Art Therapy. Sarah has over ten years of experience and knowledge working as an art therapist. Prior to her current position, Sarah acted as Clinical Coordinator and Art Therapist for the Warrior Salute Program at CDS Monarch supporting veterans transitioning back home from Iraq and Afghanistan. She was responsible for directing the clinical staff and managing the clinical services, as well as providing individual and group art psychotherapy to veterans with TBI, PTSD, and addictions. She introduced art therapy into the clinical program which proved to be a huge success in the advancement of the Veterans' daily mental well-being. Sarah also has experience working as the Autism Skill Building Program Coordinator for CDS Monarch’s Family Support Services designing, managing, and implementing an after school program to help individuals with Autism increase their skill development within a play therapy setting.
Rachel Sikorski, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC
Vice President (Buffalo Region)
Social Media Marketing Secretary (temporary)
Rachel is a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), nationally registered and board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC). She earned her Master's degree in Art Therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Canisius College in Buffalo. Rachel has extensive professional training and experience utilizing therapeutic play, solution-focused therapy and trauma-informed treatment approaches in her clinical practice, which centers on integrating the creative arts with EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for individuals of all ages. Rachel has worked in residential treatment with at-risk youth, children and adolescents in outpatient and school settings, as well as families and adults in private practice. She works with a variety of client populations - including those with trauma and adjustment-related disorders, anxiety, depression, self-injurious behavior, opposition and conduct-related issues, neurodevelopmental and autism spectrum disorders - in both individual and group contexts. She currently maintains a private practice in the heart of the city of Buffalo and is a founding member and webmaster of Art Therapy Buffalo, a professional group of art therapists whose mission is to advocate for increased awareness and access to professional art therapy services in the Buffalo-Niagara communities of Western New York. Rachel also serves as an Adjunct Professor and Art Therapy Minor Program Coordinator at Buffalo State College, in the Art & Design Department.
Alana Page, MS, LCAT-P
Vice President (Rochester Region)
Corresponding Secretary (temporary)
Alana received her MS in Art Therapy from Nazareth College and is currently a license-eligible Art Therapist at UR Medicine: Strong Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness. She currently serves as a Mental Health Therapist to a diverse population of children ages 4 to 19. Prior to working with UR Medicine, she completed a full-time contract at Camp Ramapo in Rhinebeck, NY. While there, she served as an Art Therapy Specialist for children ages 6 to 29 with special needs. Prior to that, she interned at Hillside Family of Agencies and the Monroe County Correctional Facility, building therapeutic alliances with kids, families, and inmates with extensive trauma backgrounds and individualized needs. With a passion for social action, Alana’s goal is to advocate for Art Therapy as corresponding secretary for WNYATA, creating a strong relationship with the Rochester community and bringing greater awareness to the healing power of art.
Nicole Hall, MS
Recording Secretary
Nicole is currently a Mental Health Therapist at Villa of Hope Behavioral Health Services. Nicole received her Master's degree in Art Therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester and is currently working towards LCAT licensure. Nicole's career in art therapy began with her internship through Nazareth College, during which time she worked to bring art therapy, horticulture therapy, and other expressive therapies to the individuals of the Rochester Veterans Transition Center. Upon completion of her graduate degree, Nicole was eager to continue working with veterans and took a position as a primary therapist with Warrior Salute Veteran Services, where she continued to work with Veterans in a transitional, trauma-focused program. In this setting, Nicole discovered a love for supporting the work of trauma survivors; leading her to pursue training in Prolonged Exposure to help Veterans of all ages process trauma, rediscover their own identities, and fully transition back into civilian life. Nicole has recently joined the Villa of Hope with a desire to gain personal and professional growth through work with populations who have experienced trauma, poverty, and a variety of mental health challenges. Nicole has a passion for working with trauma survivors as well as being able to offer services to more underserved populations. In the past, Nicole has volunteered at ROCovery Fitness, leading a free monthly art group to individuals living a sober life. As a board member of WNYATA, Nicole hopes to help broaden the reach of Art Therapy in her community through increasing awareness of its benefits, and increasing access for individuals who may have thought art therapy was beyond their means.
OPEN Board Positions:
Please contact us if you are interested in being considered for a WNYATA board position!
WNYATA is looking for trustworthy, self-motivated, and organized individuals with a high level of integrity to fill some of our open board positions. Contact us with questions or to communicate your interest.
1) Corresponding Secretary:
Duties include:
-Responsible for communicating with members and the public via email or any other means necessary.
-Works closely with and often shares duties with the Social Media Marketing Chair (see below)
2) Social Media Marketing Chair:
Duties include:
-Responsible for managing advertising and digital communications with members and the public through our content distribution platforms and social media-Creates marketing and social media campaigns and strategies, ensuring brand consistency in marketing and social media messages
-Collects member data and analyzes interactions and visits, plus uses this information to create comprehensive reports and improve future marketing strategies and campaigns
-Grows and expands organization social media presence into new social media platforms, plus increases presence on existing platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram
-Creates and distributes engaging written or graphic content in the form of e-newsletters, web page and blog content, or social media messages
3) Membership Chair:
Duties include:
-Responsible for supporting membership renewal, strategy development, and outreach initiatives
-Plan and implement membership promotion and retention programs
-Connect with current members about renewing and membership incentives
-Communicating full advantages of membership, services and programs to prospective members
-Provide regular reports on membership development activities
-Works closely with Social Media/Marketing Chair
4) Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) Chair:
Duties include:
-Responsible for staying up to date on AATA governmental involvement (state and federal) and reporting back to the chapter
-Connecting with any legislative representatives, as needed
-Work closely with WNYATA-NYATA Liaison
