In this interactive presentation facilitated by Kelly Darke (she/her), ATR, M.Ed., and Shannon Scott-Miller (she/her), MAAT, ATR-BC, we will explore gender roles, expectations, and stereotypes and how they directly impact our daily lives and our personal bias. We will consider how culture shapes the binary and affects anyone who falls outside of the gender binary. And finally, we will learn how we can support gender expansive youth.
Kelly Darke
Kelly Darke (she/her), M.Ed., ATR, BFA, is an accomplished artist, registered art therapist, certified K–12 art teacher, wife, and mother of two. Darke has over a decade of experience in art therapy working with adults and children with various cognitive and emotional needs. Darke has presented at local and national conferences on the use of art therapy with transgender youth and published articles on the benefits of art therapy using digital art with traumatic brain injured clients. Darke and Scott-Miller co-authored Art Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Children and Teenagers. Darke has also developed Art & Mindfulness, which includes virtual sessions that are creative exercises designed to develop self-awareness and facilitate personal growth. The experience is a combination of art therapy, neuroscience, coaching, and self compassion. Art & Mindfulness is a powerful process that engages personal creativity and takes advantage of neuroplasticity to make positive changes in participants' thoughts and behaviors. She is passionate about self-care and self-awareness as tools to improve overall well-being. Darke earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters of Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. When she is not helping others, she spends her free time with her family and making art of her own.
Shannon Scott-Miller
Shannon Scott-Miller (she/her), MAAT, ATR-BC, is a board-certified art therapist who received her masters in art therapy from Vermont College of Norwich University. She has over 25 years of experience in art therapy, including serving as Executive Director of the Art Therapy Studio, and extensive work with gender-expansive youth. Her work in gender identity began while working in pediatrics with children who were born intersex and expanded to include youth who are gender-expansive. She has dedicated her time to educating national and international audiences on gender identity to create a more inclusive place for all genders. She has also designed and provided training to professionals who work with gender-expansive youth. Scott-Miller is the co-author of the recently published book Art Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Children and Teenagers. She is the Community Outreach Director for Colors+ Youth Center, a center that provides a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies.
This program is part of our Pride Block Party. Click here to see a full schedule of events.