While working as a substitute teacher after graduating with my undergraduate degree in 2008, I was introduced to using the arts with students with disabilities and the profession of art therapy. While completing my Master of Science degree, I had the great opportunity to participate in an international exploratory art therapy internship in Tanzania, Africa in August of 2007. Upon graduation from Nazareth College, I took a position as the only art therapist at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES serving schools throughout Monroe County in New York State. Over the next four years, I grew the art therapy program and found joy in working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. While developing the program and interventions to support these children I realized the need for further education and entered the Counseling and Human Development program at Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. During this time, I was a LEND fellow from 2012-2013, which enhanced my skills in understanding and working with children with neurodevelopmental and other related disorders through the Golisano Children’s Hospital. I am a Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in NYS (LCAT), and a Licensed Professional Counselor in PA (LPC). In August 2020, I was awarded my Doctorate in Education from the University of Rochester. My dissertation evaluated an original art therapy intervention with adults with ASD to teach idioms. I help parallel careers in higher education in administrative positions at Roberts Wesleyan College and Colgate University. After leaving higher education, I realized my passion lied in working with students and seeing their growth and development throughout their education. God gave me the passion to teach in higher education, which affords me the ability to combine my knowledge of the field and the enjoyment of working with students to develop their gifts from God.

Education:

EdD, Counseling & Human Development, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
MS, Creative Arts Therapy, Art Therapy, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY
BS, Art Education, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY

Courses Taught:

Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships
Counseling Theory & Techniques
Human Growth & Development across the Lifespan
Expressive Therapies
Group Counseling Leadership Skills
World Art & Music

Publications/Creative Works:

Butcher, D. (2020). Evaluating an Art Therapy Intervention to Teach Idioms among Adults Self reporting a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation). University of Rochester.

Co-Presenter, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) 2013 Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (June 2013)

Co-Presenter, Global Alliance for Arts & Health (formally Society for the Arts in Healthcare) 19th Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (April 2008)

Presenter, American Art Therapy Association 2008 Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio (November 2008)

Awards & Honors:

Fellow, Graduate Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and other Disabilities (LEND), Golisano Children’s Hospital, Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (September 2012 – May 2013)

Verse:

Psalm 40:1-2