AFTD Webinar: The Role of Creative Arts Therapy and Engagement in FTD Care October 28, 2021

Deb Del Signore is a board-certified art therapist with more than 20 years of experience practicing in eldercare, including as director of an Alzheimer’s care community. Her research focuses on how the arts and critical discourse in eldercare can inspire and facilitate practices of equity into the daily lives of the people who reside and work in long-term care settings. She served as the art therapist facilitator of the Art in the Moment program at the Art Institute of Chicago for nearly a decade. Currently, she provides in-home art facilitation with individuals living with dementia. She is also an adjunct associate professor and fieldwork placement coordinator in the art therapy department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Caitlin Hebb, a board-certified music therapist and neurologic music therapy Fellow, is the clinical operations manager for MedRhythms Inc. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in music therapy and received her fellowship in neurologic music therapy from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. She is also the internship director for MedRhythms, Inc. at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She is passionate about education and advocacy and has spoken at several regional and national conferences. She also serves on the board of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association as the interprofessional collaborative resources representative.

Melissa Uva is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), and expressive therapist. She is a recent graduate of Lesley University with an MA in clinical mental health counseling for art therapy and is pursuing her certification as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and art therapist (ATR). She previously worked as an early childhood educator and interned at an independent living center with older adults. Based on those experiences, she was driven to learn about the needs of older adult populations and found value in the power of connections and community. As a member of the Clear Guidance team, she uses creative arts in her work with people with cognitive impairments, dementia, and mental health diagnoses.