Albertus Magnus Alumna Publishes Work; Shines Spotlight on College’s Unique Program
Paper by Reyna Zascirinskis ’19 Appears in The Arts of Psychotherapy
Reyna Zascirinskis ’19, LPC, ATR-p
New Haven, Conn., March 8, 2023 – Albertus Magnus College alumni continue to excel in their chosen fields. The latest example is Reyna Zascirinskis ’19, LPC, ATR-p of West Hartford, Conn., who earned her Master of Arts and Art Therapy and Counseling at Albertus – the only program of its kind in the State of Connecticut. Currently a Mental Health Therapist at Well Life Therapy, LLC, in East Berlin, Zascirinskis’ recently published paper in the journal The Arts in Psychotherapy is based on her graduate thesis work. The paper is entitled “An Exploratory Study of the Coming Out Road Drawing: A Novel Growth Promoting Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals” which is co-authored by her thesis advisors, Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Bonnie Pepper and Adjunct Faculty Member Abi Tishler.
“I believe that the passion, drive, and dedication of my educators and mentors at Albertus is what allowed me to have access to the resources and tools necessary to put forth such a study,” said Zascirinskis. “There was never a time where I was discouraged from my vision and pursuit of the project. To have this project now come to publication, gives me hope that I can contribute to the conversation within the art therapy community surrounding the importance of exploring coming out stories in a creative and therapeutic way.”
Zascirinskis’ work concludes that there is an urgent need for culturally responsive and affirming therapeutic interventions for sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. Her study demonstrates how the coming out road drawing approach that she developed is such an intervention. This work is particularly timely due to current social and political trends as well as the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on the LGBTQ+ community.
A compassionate provisionally licensed Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, Zascirinskis offers direct experience with clients with a variety of needs including, but not limited to, navigating foster care/adoption, parenting, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, ADHD, eating disorders, dementia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, autism, and intellectual disabilities. Her motto is, “Art Heals.”
The Master of Arts and Art Therapy and Counseling program at Albertus is committed to providing a high quality and holistic educational experience. It combines a deep understanding of art materials, the healing potential of the creative process, and sound psychological theory. The program encourages professional growth within a cohesive and passionate community that is sensitive to an ethical, reflective, and socially-aware practice of art therapy. The hallmark of the course curriculum is an intensive, rigorous, and rewarding approach that fosters a deep respect for diversity of the human experience.
The Arts in Psychotherapy is a contemporary journal publishing evidence-based research, expert opinion, theoretical positions, and case material on a wide range of topics intersecting the fields of mental health and creative arts therapies. It is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing five issues annually.
About Albertus Magnus College
About Albertus Magnus College: Albertus Magnus College, founded in 1925, is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. Its values- and liberal arts-based education is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report, Money Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, and has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly School. For six consecutive years, graduating classes at Albertus have achieved post-graduate employment and graduate school success at a rate of at least 95%. The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students across its traditional undergraduate program, accelerated adult degree program, and 11 graduate programs. Proud to enroll a student body where more than half of its students come from minority backgrounds and nearly the same percentage of undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants and being first generation college goers, Albertus is known for its innovative curricular offerings, recently launching new Bachelor’s degree programs in Game and Computer Arts, General Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Project Management, Public Health, Social Media, and Supply Chain Management; among its graduate programs is the State of Connecticut’s only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program. Just three years from its historic 100th Anniversary Year, the College is implementing its new strategic plan, Albertus 2025: Lighting the Way to a Second Century, which articulates an inspiring, bold vision, in which Albertus Magnus College "will be a destination liberal arts-based college, distinguished in its interdisciplinary and experiential approach to education, rooted in Dominican values, that prepares students for lifelong civic engagement and success." To learn more, please visit albertus.edu.