BOONE—Dr. Sally Atkins, a professor of human development and psychological counseling at Appalachian State University, has received the Samuel T. Gladding Inspiration and Motivation Award from the Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC). ACC is a division of the American Counseling Association.

The award recognizes an individual whose example, encouragement and inclusive practice inspire and motivate others to use creativity in its various forms in counselor education and clinical practice.

Atkins was noted for her vast contributions to the field of creativity in counseling, including her published writings and for having planned and hosted a highly successful international conference on expressive arts in counseling in May 2007 on Appalachian’s campus that was attended by more than 400 people.

A nominator wrote, “Sally has inspired dozens of counselors to look at and practice creativity as a dimension of their counseling. She is a credit to the profession of counseling because of her ability to practice and teach in a motivational way all aspects of creativity. She lives the creative process.”

Atkins, a licensed psychologist and registered expressive arts therapist, is coordinator of the expressive arts therapy program in Appalachian’s Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling. She has taught at Appalachian since 1978. She also is among the core faculty of the European Graduate School in Switzerland.

Expressive arts is the practice of using imagery, storytelling, dance, music, drama, poetry, movement, dreamwork, and visual arts together in an integrated form to foster human growth, development and healing.

Atkins’ teaching and research interests include therapy and the arts, cross-cultural healing practices, eco-therapy, and dreamwork. She is the founder of the Appalachian Expressive Arts Collective, and received the Creativity and Innovation Award for Appalachian’s expressive arts therapy program from the N.C. Counseling Association. She also is a storyteller and poet.

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