Ronald P.M.H Lay

Academics

Ronald P.M.H Lay

Programme Leader, MA Art Therapy
Ron Lay
  • MA (Art Therapy), Concordia University, Canada
  • BA (Fine Arts), University of Guelph, Canada
  • BA (Psychology), Wilfred Laurier University, Canada

Grounded in a psychodynamic psychotherapy paradigm, Ronald P.M.H Lay’s career blends both practical and academic pursuits. His years of experience working full-time as a forensic art therapist in California’s Department of Mental Health acknowledges the invaluable role that education plays in developing, informing and preparing postgraduate students in becoming competent, ethical, socially responsible and effective professional therapists. This is especially critical in regions of the world wherein art therapy is emerging as a viable, meaningful and relevant discipline.

The California State Legislature awarded him the prestigious Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award, a two-year honour, on two separate occasions, recognising his art therapy and contributions to the facility. Ronald developed a sustained art therapy internship at this setting, providing clinical supervision and holding several leadership positions including Acting Chief of Rehabilitation Therapy Services and Chair of the Professional Rehabilitation Therapy Practice Group. He was an active member on several local and state-wide committees that addressed assessment, development, budgets, documentation, quality assurance, privileging, credentialing, treatment intervention and planning as well as continuing professional development.

Ronald is a board-certified and registered art therapist. He maintains professional credentials and memberships nationally and internationally, including the Art Therapists’ Association Singapore, the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association, the American Art Therapy Association, and the Art Therapy Credentials Board. He has actively contributed to these as well as the Northern California Art Therapy Association through membership on committees to nominate board members, planning international conferences and training events, providing workshops and presentations at peer-juried conferences and providing consultation.

Ronald is an accomplished and award-winning artist. His artistic inquiry is in the area of memory, the passing of time and the psychological interplay between these, and the mixed media he explores (photographs, found objects and acrylic paint). He has donated his personal artwork to several group auctions to raise funds and awareness to several charitable causes, including mental health, breast cancer, heart and stroke, HIV/AIDS and community arts projects. In addition to this, he has spent a considerable amount of time volunteering in Africa.

Ronald is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Education. His research focuses on the impact of experiential learning within postgraduate training on professional practice. He is interested in how art therapy is being applied within Asian and local contexts.

Publications
  • Weaving the research: Building practice research capacity for social practitioners through arts-based methods, in E. Huss and E. Boss (Eds.), Social work research using arts-based methods (Policy Press/Bristol University Press) (in press).
  • Humanity and humility: Ethics, pedagogy and art therapy contributions in the response to natural disaster, in J. Scarce (Ed.), Art Therapy in Response to Natural Disaster, Mass Violence, & Crisis (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) (in press).
  • Portrait Masks, Appropriated Space, and an Overseas Art Experiential: Nature as Critical Catalyst in the Practice and Training of Art Therapy. Creative Arts in Education and Therapy: Eastern & Western Perspectives, 7(1), 59-70. DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2021/7/6.
  • Chapter 10: Tension: Balancing self-care with professional practice during and after a work-place tragedy, in Wong, D. & R. Lay (Eds.), Found Objects in Art Therapy: Materials and Process (pp. 165-177) (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) (2021).
  • Chapter 14: Found objects in art therapy pedagogy: Significant trajectories of our practice, in Wong, D. & R. Lay (Eds.), Found Objects in Art Therapy: Materials and Process (pp. 231-249) (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) (2021).
  • Found objects in art therapy: Materials and process, in Wong, D., & Lay, R. (Eds.), (Jessica Kingsley Publishers).
  • Mandated measures: Seismic shifts in the discipline and training of art therapy (in press), ATOL: Art Therapy Online, 12(1), 1-8. DOI 10.25602/GOLD.atol.v12i1.1496 (2021).
  • Chapter 10: Beads, bees, glitter and perversion: Forensic art therapy with older adults, in S. Hastilow & M. Liebmann (Eds.), Arts Therapies and Sexual Offending (pp. 179-194) (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) (2021).
  • Consolidating containment: A visual exposé. JoCAT: Journal of Creative Arts Therapies, 15(1), 17-22 (2020).
  • Championing art in art therapy training: A multidimensional art collaboration in Southeast Asia, Canadian Journal of Art Therapy: Research, Practice and Issues, 33(2), 80-88 (2020).
  • Majaj, L., Lay, R., & Iyer, M., The Embodied Art Therapy Process (TEATP): A single case study surfacing a young child’s voice. Special Issue: Providing Client Voice and Choice through Art Therapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 37(4), 201-207 (2020). 
  • Kalmanowitz, D., Kaimal, G., Cagnoletta, M.D., Kelly, J., Alfonso, M.R.A., & Lay, R., Creative Arts in Education and Therapy: Eastern & Western Perspectives, conference review, 5(2), 1-12. (2019)
  • Offering. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 36(2), 56.  (2019).
  • Book review, Forensic Arts Therapies: Anthology of Practice and Research, in ATOL: Art Therapy OnLine, 10 (1) (2019).
  • East/West Nature of ANZACATA: A Perspective on the Significance of International Connections While Asserting Southeast Asian Relevance and Context in Practice and in Postgraduate Art Therapy Training, in Creative Arts in Education and Therapy: Eastern & Western Perspectives, 4 (2) (Written in April 2019).
  • Community, Compassion & Integrity: Consideration to Ethics within Art(s) Therapy Community Projects, in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Arts Therapy (ANZJAT), 12 (1-2) (2018).
  • Forwarding Arts Therapy in South East Asia, in Creative Arts in Education and Therapy: Eastern & Western Perspectives, 3 (1) (2017).
  • Re-flections of Humanitarian Work, in Present: ANZATA Singapore News (Art Therapists and Response Art: When the Image Speaks to Us), 7 (2017).
  • Book review, Arts Therapists in Multidisciplinary Settings: Working Together for Better Outcomes, in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Arts Therapy, 11(1) (2016).
  • Keynote paper, Introduction to Art Therapy in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore Creative Arts Therapy Exchange: Symposium and Workshops Towards Health on Body, Mind and Spirit symposium, Hong Kong (2016).
  • Singapore – London, Intersubjective Discoveries: An Intercultural Experience between Two Art Therapy Training Programmes using An Art-based Approach, in ATOL: Art Therapy OnLine, 8 (1) (2017).

 

Interviews for Book Chapters

  • Global Art Therapy, in Emerging Perspectives in Art Therapy: Trends, Movements & Development, eds. R Carolan and A Backos (Routledge) (2018).
  • Terrorist rehabilitation: The US experience in Iraq (CRC Press) (Chapter 11: Art of War) (2012).

 

Publication Review and Endorsements (invited)

  • Arts Therapies in International Practice Informed by Neuroscience and Research (Routledge) (2022).
  • Healing Trauma in Children with Clay Field Therapy: How Sensorimotor Art Therapy Supports the Embodiment of Development Milestones (North Atlantic Books) (2021).
  • Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Approach to Bilateral Body-mapping (North Atlantic Books) (2018).
  • Introduction to Art Therapy Research (2nd ed.) (Routledge) (2017).
  • Arts Therapists in Multidisciplinary Settings: Working Together for Better Outcomes (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) (2016).

 

Peer-reviewed Journals

  • Arts Therapies in International Practice Informed by Neuroscience and Research (Routledge) (2022).
  • Healing Trauma in Children with Clay Field Therapy: How Sensorimotor Art Therapy Supports the Embodiment of Development Milestones (North Atlantic Books) (2021).
  • Advisor, Board of the International Journal of Art Therapy: Inscape (IJAT). UK (2020-current)
  • Ad-hoc Reviewer, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. USA (2019-current)
  • Associate Editor, Creative Arts in Education and Therapy (CAET): Eastern and Western Perspectives (2019–current).
  • CATA-ACATJ Editorial Review Board Member, Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal/Revue de l’Association Canadienne d’Art-Therapie (CATA/ACATJ) (2017–current).
  • International Advisor and Peer Review Panel, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Arts Therapy, journal of the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (2012–current).
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Awards
  • Goldsmiths-LASALLE Partnership Innovation Fund, LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (May 2018).
  • AATA Featured Member in the American Art Therapy Association’s online newsletter (19 January 2017).
  • Scholarship recipient and participant, Therapeutic Arts Programme, Global Alliance Africa; Nairobi, Kenya (19–30 Jan 2017).
  • First Place, Professional, awarded at the Fifth Annual Napa State Hospital Employee Art Show sponsored by the National Arts Programme; Napa, USA (2011).
  • Third Place, Professional, awarded at the Fourth Annual Napa State Hospital Employee Art Show sponsored by the National Arts Programme; Napa, USA (2010).
  • Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award, presented by the California State Legislature for sustaining superior job performance over a two-year period and for exceptional contributions to Napa State Hospital; Napa, USA (2009).
  • Second Place, Professional awarded at the Third Annual Napa State Hospital Employee Art Show sponsored by the National Arts Program; Napa, USA (2009).
  • Honorable Mention, awarded at the Second Annual Napa State Hospital Employee Art Show sponsored by the National Arts Program; Napa, USA (2008).
  • Best-In-Show and First Place, Professional, awarded at the First Annual Napa State Hospital Employee Art Show sponsored by the National Arts Programme; Napa, USA (2007).
  • Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award, presented by the California State Legislature (2002).
     
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Research and Practice

Presentations

  • Responsive and Creative Action: Trends in Art Therapy Practice and Training, invited speaker at the World Conference: Creative Art Therapy 2021 (WCCAT) on the theme Connecting Symbolic Expression, Education, Health and Well-being as organised and hosted by the Universiti Utara, Malaysia (2021).
  • Constructed Visual Narratives: Creatively Advancing Our Discipline's Professional & Mental Health Perspectives, workshop facilitator at the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) Virtual Conference Event: Resilience, Learning & Growth, Washington, DC, USA (2020).
  • Art Therapy and Its Development in Southeast Asia, invited lecturer as part of the Visual Art Study Program, Aesthetics and Sciences of Art Research Group, Faculty of Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in Bandung, Indonesia (2019).
  • Invited keynote address, Bridges, Causeways & Linked Collaboration: Emerging Trends in Arts & Medicine in Southeast Asia, Healing Through Arts: Bridging Arts & Medicine through Collaboration & Practice Forum as part of the Arts and Healing Festival 2019, Causeway Exchange, Women’s and Children’s Hospital; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2019).
  • Paper presentation, A Multi-tiered Community Arts Collaboration Featuring Asian Older Adults with Dementia, British Association of Art Therapists and American Art Therapy Association’s inaugural International Art Therapy Practice Research Conference; London, UK (11–13 July 2019).
  • Paper presentation, The Development of Art Therapy in Southeast Asia: Strategically Anchoring the Discipline, British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and American Art Therapy Association’s inaugural International Art Therapy Practice Research Conference; London, UK (11–13 July 2019).
  • Invited plenary speaker, Art Therapy for Counselling: Relation to Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being of Students, International Counselling Seminar 2019: Contemporary Counselling Approach Towards Generating Students’ Well-Being in the 21st Century; National Council of Counselling Teachers in collaboration with School Management Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia Institute Pemikiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Universiti Utara Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur Education Department; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (16–18 April 2019).
  • Invited workshop facilitator, The Benefit of Art Therapy for Mental Health and Well-Being: Application for 21st Century School Counselling, International Counselling Seminar 2019: Contemporary Counselling Approach Towards Generating Students’ Well-Being in the 21st Century; National Council of Counselling Teachers in collaboration with School Management Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia Institute Pemikiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Universiti Utara Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur Education Department; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (16–18 April 2019).
  • Workshop, What’s Your Story? A Purposeful Illustration of Convergence: Cohesion in Diversity, Australian, New Zealand & Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association Conference, Convergence: Cohesion in Diversity; Perth, Australia (7–10 December 2018).
  • Paper accepted for presentation, The Development of Art Therapy in Southeast Asia: Strategically Anchoring the Discipline, American Art Therapy Association’s 49th annual conference Honoring Yesterday, Celebrating Today, Building for Tomorrow; Miami, USA (31 October–4 November 2018).
  • Invited panel moderator, Healing Through Arts: Pragmatics and Benefits Behind the Arts, Arts Through Healing 2018, Causeway Exchange and the Singapore International Foundation, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Singapore (15 September 2018).
  • Workshop, Forensic Mental Health, Causeway Exchange Arts & Healing 2018; Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Singapore (15 September 2018).
  • Workshop, Well Being and the Work Place: An Art Therapy Perspective on Purposefully Addressing Compassion Fatigue, Nourish: Arts Therapy Wellbeing Conference, Ragamuffin Cambodia, Partners for Social Justice & Naropa University (USA); Phnom Penh, Cambodia (16–18 January 2018).
  • Paper presentation, Community, Compassion & Integrity: Consideration to Ethics Within Art(s) Therapy Community Projects, Gather, Envision, Create: A New Generation for Arts Therapies Conference; Australian & New Zealand Arts Therapy Association and the Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association; Melbourne, Australia (8–11 December 2017).
  • Paper presentation, Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Accidents: The Miracle Kutchie Art Retreat/Exchange Programme, American Art Therapy Association’s 48th annual conference, Art Therapy: Traversing Landscapes of Heart & Mind; Albuquerque, USA (8–12 November 2017).
  • Invited panel moderator, Presence, Place & Practice in Malaysia & Singapore, Global Cultural Alliance, Causeway Exchange Arts & Healing 2017; Dreams Made Well Productions and the Singapore International Foundation; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (22–24 September 2017).
  • Workshop, Forensic Mental Health, Causeway Exchange Arts & Healing 2017; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (22–24 September 2017).
  • Workshop, Self-Realignment After Shock: Construction & Assemblage to Mourn Death & Loss, Artful Transitions international symposium; Australian & New Zealand Arts Therapy Association; Christchurch, New Zealand (5 November 2016).
  • Invited speaker, Seasons, Sensibility & Creative Self-Expression: The Strategic Use of the Arts with Seniors, 4th Annual World Congress of Geriatrics & Gerontology; Kaohsiung, Taiwan (20 November 2016).
  • Paper presentation, Singapore – London, Intersubjective Discoveries: An Intercultural Experience between Two Art Therapy Training Programmes Using an Art-based Approach, Finding Spaces, Making Places: Exploring Social & Cultural Space in Contemporary Art Therapy Practice international conference, Social, Therapeutic & Community Studies Department, Goldsmiths College, University of London; UK (13–16 April 2016).
  • Presentation, Deliberate Engagement: Emerging Practices in Postgraduate Art Therapy Training in Southeast Asia, LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (23 February 2016).
  • Panel, Training, Environment & Application: Art Therapy in Southeast Asia, Singapore Panel, 11th International Conference of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association 2015: The Flowing Tao of Expressive Arts; Hong Kong (8–10 October 2015).
  • Speaker, Art Therapy Development and Professional Training in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Singapore Creative Arts Therapy Exchange: Symposium & Workshops Towards Health in Body, Mind & Spirit, Centre for Community Cultural Development & New Life: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association; Hong Kong (4 July 2015).
  • Workshop, Compassion Fatigue and Ethical Practice; Centre for Community Cultural Development; Hong Kong (6–7 July 2015).
  • Workshop, Practitioner-Based Reflections and Creative Engagement, Centre for Community Cultural Development; Hong Kong (5 July 2015).
  • Keynote speaker, Transformation, Acknowledgment, Other: The Emergence of Art Therapy in Singapore, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Congress on Interdisciplinary Approach for Research and Development; Bangkok, Thailand (3–4 June 2015).
  • Workshop, Compassion & Fatigue: Validating the Work of the Caregiver through Creative Self Expression, International Conference of Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mumbai, India (1–3 May 2015).
  • Workshop, Creative Self-Expression, Human Rights and the Workplace, The Norinchukin Bank, Singapore Branch, as part of their annual Human Rights training; Singapore (16 January 2015).

 

Projects, Consultation and Humanitarian Efforts

  • Organiser and facilitator, Bridging Arts & Medicine Community Art Project; LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (23–24 August 2019).
  • Organiser and facilitator, Bridging Arts & Medicine Community Art Project, Arts and Healing Festival 2019; Women and Children’s Hospital; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (26–29 September 2019).
  • Organiser and leader, MA Art Therapy Summer Art, Culture & Mental Health Experience; Bali, Indonesia (27 April–3 May 2019). 
  • Organiser and facilitator, Frame It, Healing Through Arts; Causeway Exchange and the Singapore International Foundation, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Singapore (14 September 2018).
  • Consultant, project leader and supervisor, Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) Charity Calendar 2019; MA Art Therapy programme at LASALLE College of the Arts and the Kidney Dialysis Foundation; Singapore (2018).
  • Organiser and leader, MA Art Therapy Summer Art, Culture & Mental Health Experience; Bali, Indonesia (21–27 June 2018). 
  • Handmade, SG Youth Cares, People’s Studio, National Youth Council; Singpaore (5–26 March 2018). 
  • Alzheimer’s Action Day, MA Art Therapy programme at LASALLE College of the Arts, Ngee Ann Kongsi Library and Apex Harmony Lodge; Singapore (Aug–Dec 2017); VIP ceremony (15 November 2018).
  • Consultant, project leader and supervisor, Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) Charity Calendar 2018, MA Art Therapy programme, LASALLE College of the Arts and the Kidney Dialysis Foundation; Singapore (2017).  
  • Guest speaker, consultant, art therapy programme lead, supervisor, Miracle Kutchie Art Retreat Exchange in Singapore (formerly, Tropical Art Camp), as initiated by Today Is The Day and The Red Pencil (2013–2017).
  • Leader and supervisor, MA Art Therapy Student Overseas Trip; Kuching, Malaysia (5–12 May 2017).  
  • Scholarship recipient and participant, Therapeutic Arts Programme, Global Alliance Africa; Nairobi, Kenya (19–30 January 2017).
  • Art therapy awareness booth, World Hospice & Palliative Care Day and community art project, Frame It; Tan Tock Seng Hospital; Singapore (8 October 2016).
  • Let’s Talk About Addictions; WE CARE Community Services; Singapore (Aug–October 2016).
  • Organiser and leader, MA Art Therapy Summer Art, Culture & Mental Health Experience; Napa, USA (23–30 June 2016).  
  • Art therapy awareness booth, World Hospice & Palliative Care Day, and community art project, Frame It, Changi General Hospital; Singapore (6 October 2015).
  • Organiser and leader, MA Art Therapy Summer 2015 UK Art, Culture & Mental Health Experience; Goldsmiths College, University of London; UK (22–29 June 2015).
  • Consultant and educational partner, The Red Pencil (2012–present).

 

Conference Leadership and Planning

  • International planner and reviewer, International Practice/Research Art Therapy Conference; British Association of Art Therapists and the American Art Therapy Association (2019).
  • Core hive site planner and organiser, Digital International Creative Arts Therapies Symposium (23 February 2019). 
  • Leadership, support, planning and co-ordination, Embracing Ripples of Growth: An International Critical Reflection on the Discourses of Contemporary Art(s) Therapy Research and Practice, LASALLE/ANZATA Symposium 2014; Singapore (31 October–1 November 2014).
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Current Research and Practice

Exhibitions and Artwork

  • An Art Therapist’s Calling: Clinician, Artist, Researcher group art exhibition; Art Therapists’ Association Singapore with exhibition at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, with collaboration by the MA Art Therapy programme and the Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (13 September–11 October 2019).
  • 6X6X2019 global art exhibition, group, 12th annual art exhibition; Rochester Contemporary Art Centre; New York, USA (April 2019).
  • Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association cover artwork (January 2019).
  • Let’s Talk About Addictions art exhibition, group, WE CARE Community Services and MA Art Therapy Programme, LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (September–October 2016).
  • Perspectives: Art, Inflammation & Me, national art exhibition, group, National Arthritis Foundation, Abbvie and the MA Art Therapy Programme, Project Space Gallery, LASALLE College of the Arts; Singapore (November 2014).
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Research Interests
  • Mental health.
  • Forensics.
  • Older adults.
  • Development of professional art therapy in Asia.
  • Professional education and development.
     

See also

List of Academics