Over many years in clinical practice, Jennifer August has established new Art Therapy Programs for: medical and psychiatric hospitals and outpatient groups; alternative and other public schools; substance use disorder detox and rehab programs; residential trauma recovery centers for teenagers/foster teens; domestic violence treatment and prevention programs; after school Art Therapy programs; community-based adult group Art Therapy treatment programs; centers for those with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities; and for insecure housing community sites. 

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Her practice is The Art Therapy Way in Lewes, Delaware, where she treats all ages and virtually all DSM-5 disorders.

 

Jennifer is a licensed clinical art therapist in Delaware (LPAT) and Maryland (LCPAT). She received her Master of Creative Arts in Therapy degree from Hahnemann University where she presented original research at the Medical School Grand Rounds, at the national American Art Therapy Association Conference, and was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student.

 

In 2017, Jennifer ardently advocated for the enactment of the Art Therapist Licensing Act, which circulated through two legislative committees and two legislative Chambers to pass in 8 days. This legislation created the LPAT (Licensed Professional Art Therapist) and LAAT (Licensed Associate Art Therapist) licenses under 24 Delaware Code, administered by the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals. Jennifer has drafted the Art Therapist Reimbursement Act to implement the license on behalf of needing and deserving consumers, to address the State's needs, and to build the workforce of credentialed Art Therapists through insurance coverage.  

The training standards for art therapists are rigorous. A Master's degree in Art Therapy from an accredited Art Therapy program is the entry-level credential for practicing art therapy, according to the American Art Therapy Association. The Federal Department of Labor O*NET Registry recognizes the distinct profession, "Art Therapists," for which "extensive preparation is necessary." U.S. Art therapists train a minimum of 6 years for independent practice, typically 8 years if registered, Board-certified or professionally licensed as an Art Therapist. Currently, 20 States/DC license or otherwise regulate Art Therapists.

 

Jennifer's advocacy, on behalf of consumers and workers, helps the public, and policymakers, distinguish the regulated mental health profession of "Art Therapy" and regulated "Art Therapy Services" from "arts and culture" (a clear discernment consistent with the nation's arts organizations' enabling legislation and registered trademarks). 

 

Jennifer is deeply involved in trauma-responsive care, trauma prevention policy development, and equality benefiting children, families and communities. She recently presented coursework for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Policy and Practice and Delaware State University.

 

Work Recognition: Jennifer is the American Art Therapy Association's 2018 National Legislative Service Award recipient; the immediate past Chair of the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium's Trauma-Responsive Programming Sub-Committee; a member of the Art Therapy Advisory Committee to the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals; the 2014-2015 Rehoboth Art League Teacher of the Year for Art Outreach and STEAM (STEM+Art) Programs; and a 2022 and a 2017 Sunshine Circle Club Humanitarian Award recipient. As a Girls Stater, and the mother of 3 Girls Staters, she is a Delaware Girls State 'Idea Leadership & Equity' workshop facilitator.