Meet the Team

President: Asli Arslanbek

Asli Arslanbek, Ph.D., ATR-BC, is an Assistant Professor and program coordinator of the BA in Art Therapy at the University of Tampa. She teaches art therapy courses including Introduction to Art Therapy, Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents, Art Therapy with Adults, and Capstone Project.

Asli earned her Ph.D. in Creative Arts Therapies from Drexel University, specializing in arts-based psychosocial support interventions in humanitarian emergencies. Her research interests span a wide range of topics, including the therapeutic role of indigenous and traditional art forms, qualitative visual methodologies, and trauma-informed practices. Her scholarly contributions include numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, where she advocates for strength-based and inclusive approaches to art therapy. Her work emphasizes four key areas: integrating community-based healing practices and traditional art forms into therapeutic interventions; developing arts-based well-being intervention trainings in humanitarian emergencies; exploring the use of written and visual journals to process and make sense of experiences and beliefs; and examining the relationship between personal trauma history and emotional responses to artistic imagery.

Vice President: Jennifer Suárez

Jennifer Suárez, MS, ATR-P, RMHCI is an Art Therapist with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she provides individual, group, and dyadic services to students across grade levels within Exceptional Student Education programs. She collaborates closely with teachers, clinicians, and school staff to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic engagement through art-based interventions.

Jennifer earned her Master’s in Art Therapy from Florida State University and has prior experience in private practice, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health, and community-based programming. She is passionate about making art therapy accessible and visible, often leading workshops in the community and engaging in conversations that introduce the field to those unfamiliar with it.

As a Colombian-American art therapist, Jennifer is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps within the profession while fostering collaboration and mentorship among colleagues. She is committed to supporting both current and future art therapists across Florida and expanding opportunities for connection, advocacy, and growth within the field.

Membership Committee Chair: Amanda Shaw

Amanda Shaw, MA, LMHC, ATR-BC is a licensed mental health counselor and board-certified, registered art therapist based in Florida. She is the founder of Create Flow Heal Art Therapy & Counseling, LLC where she provides art therapy services.

Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from George Washington University with a specialized focus on trauma-informed care and art psychotherapy. Her professional experience includes working with survivors of sex trafficking, children and adolescents in the foster care system, geriatric clients, individuals in crisis stabilization, and museum-based art therapy. She has served across several counties in Florida including Brevard, Broward, Miami-Dade, Manatee, Pinellas, and Hillsborough.

In addition to her clinical work, Amanda currently teaches art therapy at the University of Tampa, where she helps prepare the next generation of clinicians through experiential and academic learning. She also served as the Membership Chair for the Florida Art Therapy Association in 2020, supporting professional engagement and growth within the art therapy community. Amanda is passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and creative spaces for healing, expression, and empowerment through the arts.

Secretary: Ilayda Koenigsberger

Ilayda Koenigsberger, ATR- P, is an art therapist based in South Florida, currently providing services in private practice to children and adolescents.

Ilayda earned her Master’s in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute, where her clinical experience included addiction treatment settings, inpatient psychiatric care, and work with children and adolescents. Her practice is client-centered and grounded in an individualized approach, integrating mindfulness, somatic work, and creative expression to support each client’s unique therapeutic goals.