Curriculum Vitae

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Sharon T. Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT

Board Certified and Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist

Artful Grief

The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: For Mental Health Awareness, Education and Suicide Prevention Baltimore, Maryland 21030, USA


Phone: (410) 667-9384
Cell Phone: (410) 456-4374
E-mail:devotion5@hotmail.com

Degrees

  • M.A. Art Therapy. Goucher College, 1985
  • B.A. Psychology (major) Art (minor). Washington College, 1973
  • A.T.R. American Art Therapy Association: Certification and Registration, 1991
  • ATR-BC / #91-076 Art Therapy Credentials Board: Board Certified and Registered Art Therapist, 2014
  • LCPAT / #ATC 126 Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist, 2015

Experience

  • Art Therapist, The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation / Artful Grief, 2003 - Present
  • Art Therapist, Individual and Group Art Therapy, Private Practice, 2005 - Present
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition: Associate Director Faculty Mentor and Development Team, 2019 - Present Robert Neimeyer: Director
  • National Suicidology Training Center, Faculty, 2019 – Present Frank Campbell: Director
  • The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Survivor Outreach Program, Peer Mentor, 2011 - 2017
  • Art Therapist, Rita Project, 2003 - 2012
  • Art Therapist, Wellspring Healing in the Expressive Arts, Individual and Group Private Practice, September 1997 - July 2005
  • Art Therapist, The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, January 1990 - May 1993
  • Art Therapist, Essex Community College, October 1985 - January 1988

Honours/Awards

  • American Red Cross Hometown Heroes, Education Award, 2006

Research/Scholarship

Books

  • Strouse, S. (2013). Artful Grief: A Diary of Healing. Bloomington, Balboa Press.

Chapters

  • Strouse, S. (2021). Traumatic Loss and How the Flash Could Benefit from Restorative Retelling. In J.A. Harrington & R.A. Neimeyer (Eds.), Superhero grief: The Transformative Power of Loss. New York: NY Routledge. (Manuscript in preparation)
  • Strouse, S. & Vollmann, S. (2021). Grief and the Masks We Wear: Secret Identities Are Not Only for Superheros. In J.A. Harrington & R.A. Neimeyer (Eds.), Superhero grief: The Transformative Power of Loss. New York: NY Routledge. (Manuscript in preparation)
  • Strouse, S. (2019). An Art Therapist’s Experience with Dreamscaping, Traumatic Loss and Dreamscaping, Dreamscaping with Pairs in a Group Setting, One on One Protocol and Group Protocol, In Gershman, N. & Thompson, B. Prescriptive Memory in Grief and Loss: The Art of Dreamscaping. New York, Routledge.
  • Strouse, S. (2019). An Open Book: How Does a Bereaved Art Therapist Maintain Boundaries with Bereaved Clients. In Di Maria, A. Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Art Therapy: 50 Clinicians From 20 Countries Share Their Stories. New York, Routledge.
  • Strouse, S. (2013). Integrating the Torn Pieces. In Thompson, B. & Neimeyer, R., Grief and the Expressive Arts: Practices for Creating Meaning (pp.187-197) New York, Routledge.
  • Strouse, S. T. and Harrington LaMorie, J. (2012). The Art Studio Process. In Neimeyer, R. A. , Techniques of Grief Therapy: Creative Practices for Counseling the Bereaved (pp.226-228) New York, Routledge.

Other Publications

  • Strouse, S.T. (2020). Artful Grief: An Art Therapy Application of Appreciative Living. AI Practitioner: International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry. Vol. 22 (2) pp. 19 – 24.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2018). Dreamscaping: Healing our Inner Landscape. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Magazine: For The Loved Ones of Those Who Served and Died. Volume 25.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2017). Handmade Books: Tiny pages that speak volumes. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Magazine: For The Loved Ones of Those Who Served and Died. Volume 23, 12-13.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2013). Collage: A Hero's Creation. The Association for Death Education and Counseling: The Forum.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2012). Artful Grief. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Magazine: For The Loved Ones of Those Who Served and Died. 18, 16-17.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2012). Artful Grief: A Search for Meaning Through Image Making. Soul Collage: Discover Your Wisdom, Change the World: Neter Letter. Web. 7, 3.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2011). The Art of Healing: National Suicide Survivor Seminar. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Magazine: For The Loved Ones of Those Who Served and Died. 17, 26-27.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2011). The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace. The Compassionate Friends: We Need Not Walk Alone. 34, 6 & 8.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2010). The Art of Healing: Collage...a path through loss to love. Beyond Words: Redefining Loss Through Creative Approaches. 42-43.
  • Strouse, S.T. (2007). Collage: A Path Through Loss with Love. Living with Loss Magazine: Hope and Healing for the Body, Mind and Spirit. 21, 18.

Presentations And Workshops

  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Art-Assisted Grief Therapy: Trauma, Loss and Doll Making: Practicum Studio. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW. Live: Two hour Virtual Presentation. 2021.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Art-Assisted Grief Therapy: Trauma Loss and doll Making: Techniques Module. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW. Live: Two and a half hour Virtual Presentation. December 11, 2020.
  • The Expressive Therapies Summit. New York. November 15, 2020. Virtual Presentation: Doll Making and Traumatic Loss: All Day Master Class. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). National Suicide Survivors Conference Cancelled due to the Coronavirus. October 2020. Artful Grief: Open Art Studio/ 3 Days.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. September Institute. September 2020. Cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Artful Grief: Open Art Studio/ 5 Days Keynote: Introduction to Art-Assisted Grief Therapy Collage: Integrating the Torn Pieces Trauma, Loss and Doll Making. Co-presenter: Sarah Vollmann
  • Collage: An Artful Integration. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT & Noah Hass-Cohen PsyD, ATR. Clinical Psychologist/ Marriage Family Therapist. Associate Professor / Site Director, Couples and Family Therapy Program. California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Two hour virtual presentation. July 15, 2020.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Art-Assisted Grief Therapy: Collage: Integrating the Torn Pieces: Practicum Studio. Live: Two hour Virtual Presentation. July 31, 2020.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Art-Assisted Grief Therapy: Collage: Integrating the Torn Pieces: Techniques Module. Live: Two hour Virtual Presentation. June 29, 2020.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). National Conference. May 2020. Cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Artful Grief: Open Art Studio/ 3 Days.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Grief Therapy Learning Retreat: May 2020 Cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Artful Grief: Open Art Studio/ 3 Days Collage: Integrating the Torn Pieces Traumatic Loss and Doll Making. Co-presenter: Sarah Vollmann Creative and Imaginative Restorative Retelling of our Grief Stories
  • Association for Death Education and Counseling: April 2020 Cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Doll Making and Traumatic Loss/ Co-presenter Sarah Vollmann Superhero Grief: Panel with Jill Harrington "Our Work, Ourselves:” Panel with Jack Jordan
  • Collage: An Artful Integration. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Chicago School of Professional Counseling. March 2020.
  • Doll Making and Traumatic Loss: All Day Master Class. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW. The Expressive Therapies Summit. New York. November 2019.
  • Doll Making and Traumatic Loss: All Day Master Class. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW. Meditation, Handmade Books and Restorative Retelling in the Treatment of Traumatic Loss/ Workshop. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The American Art Therapy Association National Conference. October 2019.
  • Collage: An Artful Integration. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Chicago School of Professional Counseling. October 23, 2019.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 11th. Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Phoenix, Arizona. October 2019.
  • Complicated Grief, Collage and Trauma Theory: An Artful Integration. The 7th Annual Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy Training Institute. Arlington, Virginia. July 2019.
  • Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Inaugural Summer Institute for Grief Therapy. Artful Grief: Open Art Studio. June 2019.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 25nd Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2019
  • The Fabric of our Lives…human and sublime. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Sarah Vollmann, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW. The Association for Death Education and Counseling National Conference. Half Day Specialty Workshop. Atlanta, Georgia. April 2019.
  • Creating and Imaginative “Restorative Retelling” of our Grief Stories. Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Rebekah Near, LCAT, CAGS. The Association for Death Education and Counseling National Conference. Concurrent Session Workshop. Atlanta, Georgia. April 2019.
  • Art Therapy and Memory Reconsolidation Based Approaches to Grieving. Noah Hass-Cohen, PsyD, ATR-BC, Clinical Psychologist & LMFT & Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Association for Death Education and Counseling National Conference. Concurrent Session Workshop. Atlanta, Georgia. April 2019.
  • Complicated Grief, Collage and Trauma Theory: An Artful Integration/ Master Class. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Expressive Therapies Summit: Creativity and the Arts in Healing. Los Angeles, California. March 2019.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory/ Master Class. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. And Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Art Therapy: Four Clinicians Share Their Stories, Audrey Di Maria, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT, Heidi Bardot, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT, Charlotte Boston, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT, Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The American Art Therapy Association National Conference: Traversing Landscapes of Heart and Mind. Miami, Florida. November 2018.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 10th. Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Palm Harbor. Florida, October 2018.
  • Complicated Grief, Collage and Trauma Theory: An Artful Integration. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The 6th Annual Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy Training Institute. Arlington, Virginia. July 2018.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Residency Training. Baltimore, Maryland, June 25, 2018.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 24nd Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2018.
  • Healing Through the Arts: Healing Hearts Foundation Day of Hope and Healing: Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida, May 20, 2018
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio: Specialty Workshops: Collage, Handmade Books, Talking Sticks and Dreamscaping, The Association for Death Education and Counseling National Conference. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. April 2018.
  • Key Note Presentation. Handmade Book…tiny pages that speak volumes. National Survivors of Suicide Day: Hope Starts Here. Frankenmuth, MI. November 2017.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The American Art Therapy Association National Conference: Traversing Landscapes of Heart and Mind. Albuquerque, New Mexico. November 2017.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory/ Master Class. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Expressive Arts Summit. New York. November 2017.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 9th. Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Phoenix, Arizona. October 2017.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory/ Master Class. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy Training Institute. Arlington, Virginia. June 2017.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Residency Training. Baltimore, Maryland, April 24, 2017.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 23nd Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2017.
  • Artful Grief: Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. The Center for Complicated Grief. New York, March 24, 2017.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory/ Master Class. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Expressive Arts Summit. New York. November 2016.
  • Artful Grief: Exhibition and Experiential Collage Opportunity: The 5th Annual MedStar Palliative Medicine Symposium. Columbia, Maryland, October 27, 2016.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 8th. Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Tampa, Florida, October 2016.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Residency Training. Baltimore, Maryland, September 26, 2016.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Our Journey Continues: First National Conference for Long-term Survivors of Suicide Loss. Chicago, Illinois, September 2016.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The American Art Therapy Association National Conference. Baltimore, Maryland. July 2016
  • Touched With Fire: Kristin and Elisif. Exhibition and Presentation. “Works by two artists who died young. Kristin Rita Strouse and Elisif Bruun, whose journeys through creativity both illuminate and obscure their passages through mental illness and addiction.” The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation and The New Day Campaign. Mental Health America National Conference. Alexandria, Virginia. June 2016.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 22nd Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2016.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Residency Training. Baltimore, Maryland, May 2016.
  • Grief, Loss and the Expressive Arts: The First Annual Gilchrist Grief Services Educational Series: Gilchrist Services: Grief and Volunteer Support. Hunt Valley, Maryland. March 11, 2016
  • The Continuing Bond…An afterlife perspective on traumatic loss and the healing process. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Residency Training. Baltimore, Maryland, December 7, 2015.
  • Touched With Fire: Kristin and Elisif. Exhibition and Presentation. “Works by two artists who died young. Kristin Rita Strouse and Elisif Bruun, whose journeys through creativity both illuminate and obscure their passages through mental illness and addiction.” The Kristin Rita Srouse Foundation and The New Day Campaign. Tuttle Gallery, McDonogh School. Owings Mills, Maryland. November 17, 2015 and December 2, 2015.
  • Artful Grief: Collage Presentation / Workshop. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Towson University, November, 2015.
  • Artful Grief: An experience with collage, complicated grief and trauma theory. Sharon Strouse, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Peggy Kolodny, ATR-BC, LCPAT. The Expressive Arts Summit. New York. November 2015.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Worcester County Health Department, Snow Hill, Maryland. October 30, 2015.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: Presentation and Experiential Workshop. Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland. Social Work Department: Social Work Practices I. October 29, 2015.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition, The Many Masks of Survivors: Workshop. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 7th. Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Colorado Springs, Colorado, October, 2015.
  • The Continuing Bond…An afterlife perspective on traumatic loss and the healing process. Gilchrist Hospice Care: Bereavement Networking Meeting. Hunt Valley, Maryland, September, 2015.
  • Creative Cafe: Artful Grief Open Art Studio, Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop, Soul Gatherings...A Continuing Bond: Meditation Workshop, Creative Dreaming...A Doorway Through Loss to Love (Carla Blowey, Sharon Strouse). The Compassionate Friends 38th National Conference. " Hope Shines Bright Deep in the Heart." Dallas, Texas, July 2015.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition, The Many Masks of Survivors: Workshop, Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 21st Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2015.
  • Grief and the Expressive Arts: An Experiential Workshop. The Association for Death Education and Counseling 37th Annual Conference. "Honoring Diversity- Dying, Death, and Bereavement in a Multicultural World." Pre-Conference Institute. (Robert A. Neimeyer, Barbara E. Thompson, Sharon Strouse, Jane Milman, Melissa Smigelsky, and Ishana Arta) San Antonio, Texas, April 2015.
  • Artful Grief: Collage Presentation / Workshop. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Towson University, November, 2014.
  • Artful Grief: Creativity and Self Care. Gilchrist Hospice Care: Bereavement Networking Meeting. Hunt Valley, Maryland, November, 2014.
  • Artful Grief: Collage: Presentation and Workshop. Gilchrist Hospice Care: 12th Annual Wellness Seminar: How to Nurture Yourself While Grieving. Towson, Maryland, October 25, 2014.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition, The Many Masks of Survivors: Workshop, Soul Gatherings Meditation: Connecting with Our Loved Ones. The Tragedy Assistance Program of Survivors 6rd Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Tampa, Florida, October, 2014.
  • The Art of Healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage Workshop and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 37th National Conference. "Miles of Compassion through the Winds of Hope." Chicago, Illinois, July 2014.
  • Artful Grief: Lecture and Workshop/ Suicide Postvention. School Suicide Prevention Seminar: School Psychology: Graduate Program, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, June 2014.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition, The Many Masks of Survivors: Workshop, Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 20th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2014.
  • Artful Grief Open Art Studio: Presentation / Workshop. American Association of Suicidology and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 47th Healing After Suicide Conference, "Never Alone." Los Angeles, California, April 2014.
  • A Hero's Journey: images of departure, initiation and return. Association for Death Education and Counseling 36th Annual Conference, "Riding the Dragon: End of Life and Grief as a Path to Resilience, Transformation and Compassion." Baltimore, Maryland, April 2014.
  • Creativity and Self Care / Artful Grief. Gilchrist Hospice: Joint Clinical Presentation. Timonium, Maryland, December 2013.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Exhibition, The Many Masks of Survivors: Workshop, Soul Gatherings Meditation: Connecting with Our Loved Ones. The Tragedy Assistance Program of Survivors 5rd Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 2013.
  • Holly Wilcox, Ph.D. and Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR. Johns Hopkins Hospital: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Grand Rounds/ Suicide: Hurd Hall. November 2013.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Presentation / Workshop. Maryland's 25th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference. "Twenty -five Years of Prevention: The Best of the Best." Baltimore, Maryland, October 2013.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Presentation. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Out of the Darkness Walk, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2013.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Presentation. Orientation to the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. Arlington, Virginia, September 2013.
  • Artful Grief / The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: Open Art Studio and Presentation. Headquarters Department of the Army Suicide Prevention Program Health Fair, Pentagon, Washington, DC. September 2013.
  • The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 36th National Conference. "Beacon of Love - Rays of Hope." Boston, Massachusetts, July 2013.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio / Exhibition, Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation, and Tell your story...a journey of image making and meaning / collage. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 19th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2013.
  • Artful Grief: Collage...transforming Identity: Poster Presentation. Association for Death Education and Counseling 35th Annual Conference, "Reframing Images of Grief: Identity Transformation Through Loss." Hollywood, California, April 2013.
  • Artful Grief: A Mothers Healing Journey/ Lecture and Workshop. Penn School of Social Policy and Practices. Loss Across the Lifespan: Creative Strategies for Healing. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 15, 2013.
  • Sudden Traumatic Grief / Artful Grief. Guest Lecturer. Columbia University, School of Social Work. New York, New York, February 6, 2013.
  • Artful Grief: Open Art Studio and Exhibition: The Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation: The Tragedy Assistance Program of Survivors 4rd Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. San Diego, California, October 2012.
  • The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage Workshop and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 35th National Conference. "Shining Stars, Guiding Hope." Costa Mesa, California, July 2012.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio / Exhibition and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation Workshop. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 18th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2012.
  • Art as Healing After Suicide. Rita Project Presentation / Workshop. American Association of Suicidology and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 45th Healing After Suicide Conference, "Honoring Loss & Healing Together." Baltimore, Maryland, April 2012.
  • Artful Grief: A Case Study of Image Making and Meaning: Presentation and Workshop. Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore County Special Prosecutors Office, Baltimore County Police Crash Team, Baltimore County Police Department Internal Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Baltimore, Maryland, April 2012.
  • Artful Grief: A Case Study of Image Making and Meaning. Poster Presentation. Association for Death Education and Counseling 34th Annual Conference, "Being a Healing Presence in a Hurting World." Atlanta, Georgia, March 2012.
  • The Development Circle: Sitting Between Worlds. Meditation Workshop. The 2nd Annual AfterLife Awareness Conference. Virginia Beach, Virginia, March 2012.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program of Survivors 3rd Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Colorado Springs, Colorado, October 2011.
  • Art Therapy with Survivors of Suicide. Rita Project Presentation / Workshop. Maryland's 23rd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference. "Renewing Our Commitment." Baltimore, Maryland, October 2011.
  • The Art of Healing…loss, grief and grace: Collage. Presentation / Workshop. The Bereaved Parents of the USA National Gathering, "Monumental Journey of the Heart." Reston, Virginia, July 2011.
  • The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage and "Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 34th National Conference. "Shining Stars, Guiding Hope." Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, July 2011.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio / Exhibition and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 17th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2011.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 2nd Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Alexandria, Virginia, October 2010.
  • The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 33rd National Conference. "Reflections of Love, Visions of Hope." Arlington, Virginia, July 2010.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio / Exhibition and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 16th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2010.
  • The Art of healing...loss, grief and grace: Collage and Wisdom Bowls...the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends Regional Conference. "Words of Wisdom, Hearts of Love." Frankfort, Kentucky March 2010.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio and Exhibition. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 1st Annual TAPS Suicide Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. San Diego, California, October 2009.
  • The Art of Healing…loss, grief and grace: Collage and Wisdom Bowls…the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 32nd National Conference. “Mountains of Compassion, Roses of Love.” Portland, Oregon, August 2009.
  • Rita Project: Open Art Studio Presentation and Workshop. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: 15th Annual TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. Arlington, Virginia, May 2009.
  • The Art of Healing…loss, grief and grace: Collage and Wisdom Bowls…the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 31st National Conference. “Volunteers for Healing, Friends for the Future.” Nashville, Tennessee, July2008.
  • The Art of Healing: Collage and Wisdom Bowls…the inner journey of healing: Meditation. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 30th National Conference. “Trails of Tears to Healing Hearts.” Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 2007.
  • Using Art to Heal: Suicide Survivorship and A Dialogue with you Brother or Sister Using Collage. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 29th National Conference. “Caring is at Hand.” Dearborn, Michigan, July 2006.
  • Suicide Survivorship...The Art of Healing. Presentation / Workshop. The Compassionate Friends 28th National Conference. “Lighting the Way.” Boston, Massachusetts, July 2005.
  • The Art of Healing. Presentation / Workshop. Baltimore Jung Working Group. Baltimore, Maryland, March 2005.
  • Images of Deep Healing. Presentation / Workshop. Saint Agnes Health Care: Home Care and Hospice. Bridges Bereavement Support Group Gathering. Baltimore, Maryland, July 2004.
  • The Use of Art Therapy in Dealing with Grief. Presentation / Workshop. Bereaved Parents of the USA 9th Annual National Gathering. “Let Their Light Shine.” Charleston, South Carolina, July 2004.
  • The Use of Art Therapy in Dealing with Grief. Presentation / Workshop. Bereaved Parents of the USA and The Compassionate Friends of Maryland: Regional Conference, "A Conference of Hope and Healing." Annapolis, Maryland, May 2004.
  • The Art of Healing. Presentation / Discussion. The Compassionate Friends Monthly Meeting. Annapolis, Maryland, October 2003.

Professional Affilliations

  • The American Art Therapy Association
  • The Association for Death Education and Counseling
  • The Johns Hopkins Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Advisory Board
  • The Maryland Art Therapy Association

Exhibitions

  • Strouse, S.T., Heroin and Healing. Kent County Arts Council, Raimond Arts Building, Chestertown, Maryland, March 2 – March 31, 2018.
    “An exhibition project about how the opioid epidemic and hurting go together, and what we are doing to make things better. Heroin & Healing features art by seven individuals (Elisif Bruun, Peter Bruun, Phylicia Ghee, Michelle Labonte, Mark V. Lord, Anthony Ness, and Sharon Strouse) whose works touch on a spectrum of experiences and perspectives related to emotional pain and substance use: its causes and consequences. Weaving throughout is an exploration of what we might do individually and as a community to seek healing for ourselves, and help make things better for others.”
  • Strouse, S. T., Come as You Are: The Spectrum of Vulnerability Exhibition. The Creative Alliance, August 26, 2017 – September 30, 2017. “Who am I…after the fall” Collage.
    “Trauma, grief, loss, depression, behavioral health, and healing are all meaningful parts of the spectrum of human experience. The eight artists in Come As You Are: The Spectrum of Vulnerability offer their individual vignettes and artwork as evidence of their pesosonal struggles and the power or resiliency.”
  • Strouse, S.T., “Touched with Fire: Kristin and Elisif.” Tuttle Gallery, McDonough School. November 12 – December 18, 2015.
    “The theme draws its name from the groundbreaking 1996 book, Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament, by renowned psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison. The same driving discomfort leading to substance misuse and desperate behaviors also may yield extraordinary creativity: grand gifts to the rest of us born of incomparable urgency. The exhibition “Touched with Fire: Kristin & Elisif” features works by two artists who died young, Kristin Rita Strouse and Elisif Janis Bruun, whose journeys through creativity both illuminate and obscure their passages through mental illness and addiction.”
  • Strouse, S.T., I Feel / I Am Exhibition. The Creative Alliance: Amalie Rothschild Gallery. August 17 - 30, 2013. "A Greening Into" Altered Book: Collage.
  • Strouse, S.T., Art and Healing Exhibition: The Towson Arts Collective. January 13 - February 24, 2012. "Once Upon a Time" Collage: 20 x 30 inches, "Letting Go" Collage: 16 x 20 inches, "Blue Wisdom" Collage 5 x 8 inches.