The Council and its working groups work voluntarily and focus on: Administration & Finance, Statutory Registration, Accreditation & Professional Standards, Membership, Complaints, the iacat online Journal and PR & Media Relations. The council ensures that the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics is maintained and adheres to legislation, protocols and guidelines, ensuring safe practice for both clients and members. The Executive Council (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) also liaises with regional groups.
Angie originally qualified as an Architect with a B Arch Sc, Dip Arch(Hons) Degree and has practised as an architect in Ireland, England and Germany as well as being an Architectural Lecturer in Two Universities in the UK where she has also acted as a mentor to students in the University of Suffolk. Angie recently graduated from the MA in Art Therapy, CIT Cork and now practices in Dublin.
Contact chair@iacat.ie
Council Vice ChairIn 2013 I went on a soul-searching mission to find out what I wanted to be when I grow up! At that time, I was in my mid-thirties, self-employed, and questioning my path in life. I had completed an introductory course in biodynamic psychotherapy and was about to sign up for the full-time training. As music has always been a huge part of my life, I remember asking the lecturer at the time if they ever use music in this type of practice? She answered “It’s not something we use here, but it’s not to say it can’t be done. Have you ever considered music therapy?” To which I answered, “What’s that?”
Katie Harley Katie is an HCPC registered art psychotherapist qualifying from Msc Art Psychotherapy in Ulster University. After qualifying Katie has worked predominantly with Children and adolescents in schools and in the Pastoral Center in Donegal. Having a background in voluntary youthwork, teaching art and her own artistic practice, Katie has recognised the various advantages of artistic expression and aims to provide a safe environment for those struggling to find their voice. Pulling from trauma-informed practice and mind-body theoretical frameworks as well as maintaining a client centred approach, Katie builds a therapeutic space to invite children and young people to process emotions and experiences. She is currently developing her knowledge by attending a trauma informed child and adolescent counselling diploma to further understand the complex nature of any therapeutic work.
Contact treasuer@iacat.ie
Gerry Lee qualified with an MA in Art Therapy from CIT, Cork in 2010. Since qualifying Gerry has worked as an art therapist, in a number of clinical and community organisations in various countries, including; NPH in Haiti, CAMHS in Wales and NHS Psychiatric In-patient Services in England. Gerry currently works with children and young people in disadvantaged areas of Dublin. Gerry holds roles with School Completion Programme, Cabra and the Bright Programme, Ballymun. Gerry has lectured in various art therapy programmes; Dublin Principals of Art Therapy in Dublin, Art Therapy MA course in Cork and the Art Therapy Summer Programme in Cork. Gerry is a practicing visual artist, who enjoys being immersed in nature and cold bodies of water in his free time.
Contact secretary@iacat.ie
Grace is currently completing her MSc in Art Psychotherapy at Ulster University. Prior to this, Grace studied Positive Health at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, and also holds a first-class honours degree in Psychology from Dublin City University. She is passionate about the relationship between mental health and creativity, and how this presents across the lifespan, across culture, across gender and across the socio-economic divide.
I began working with IACAT in July 2022. Before this I had over 10 years of administrative experience. The daily tasks I carry out for IACAT are really diverse which I love. When I'm not working I am busy taking care of my three young children. We are very much an outdoorsy family and can be found at the beach or on a forest walk whatever the weather. I am really passionate about all things health & wellness. I have studied nutrition in the past and am currently undertaking my 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training.
Contact 087 992 1746 or info@iacat.ie
Rowena is an artist and art therapist based in the Midlands, Ireland. Her work uses digital media, photography, animation and socially engaged practice to explore the diverse issues surrounding social inclusion, disability and access to cultural participation experienced by marginalised groups.
As an art therapist, Rowena has a special research interest in and focus on the use of digital practices and online therapy. She also works with film-making through digital narrative to facilitate an understanding of individual experience and its impact, and as a tool to aid self-discovery and recovery.
Contact journaleditor@iacat.ie
Dr Maggie O’Neill is a researcher in the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, National University of Ireland, Galway. She researches and writes widely on Irish literature, culture and society. She has been co-editor of IACAT Journal since 2013.
Contact journaleditor@iacat.ie
Pamela Whitaker is the course director for the MSc Art Psychotherapy course at Ulster University, Belfast School of Art. She is also the founder of Groundswell a consultancy supporting environmental art therapy, arts and wellness and public practice art therapy. Pamela has written about art therapy in the context of material and visual culture, contemporary art, and festivals.
Noémie Cattez holds a Masters in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University London and is currently working with the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre in Letterkenny as well as running a private practice in Sligo. Her experience includes working in a variety of services with mainstream and disabled children, adult mental health and trauma. She has experience in running workshops and giving presentations, is a registered professional member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists and previously sat on the executive coucil as Secretary.
European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC) Katie Fitzpatrick is a music therapist, clinical tutor on the MA Music Therapy, and PhD candidate at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick (UL). Her clinical work is in the areas of adult and child mental health, chronic pain, and intellectual disability. Her research is exploring the use of music therapy for adults with chronic pain. She is interested in music therapy as an intervention that can potentially address not only the physical, but also the psychological impact of the complex condition that is chronic pain. She is a member of the Arts and Health research cluster and Health Research Institute at UL. She holds two master’s degrees in Music Therapy and Community Music from UL and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music and English at University College Cork.
