MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LECATA
This assessment was developed in 1986 for and with the (then 11) art therapists working at the Miami-Dade School district. The first draft was completed in 1989 and copyrighted by Myra F. Levick, PH.D.. It is based on her text book, They Could Not Talk and So They Drew:Children's styles of coping and thinking.(1983) and scores cognitive and emotional development as manifested in children's drawings 3-11+ years of age. Theoretical constructs are primarily Paiget and A. Freud's ego mechanisms of defense. For the past 18 years it has been an integral part of the evaluation process at this school district which now employs 20 art therapists. Dr. Levick and Janet Bush, the past director of that program have conducted 5 training conferences and taught this assessment in universities around the country; Dr. Levick has also taught this in Korea and it is now used with a variety of populations and all ages. Considerable data has been gathered documenting reliability.
NEW STUDIES
In 1998 a research project was initiated in the Palm Beach School district to collect data for norming the LECATA. To date 331 children K-6th grade have been tested and all have been scored. The data, so far, is very positive.and is currently being analyzed. The completed manuscript which includes the manual has been submitted for publication.
FOR ADMINISTERING:
Dr. Levick provides individual training in the LECATA at her Institute and ongoing supervision via fax and e-mail. She is Also available for training seminars at other sites.
ACTIVITIES
*In 1975, Dr. Levick received the only NIMH grant awarded to train art, music and movement/dance therapists under the umbrella of a Master's in Creative Arts Therapies at the then Hahnemann University, now Hanemann/Drexel University. It was designated the model program for the country. On May 7th, 2005, the university celebrated the 30th anniversary of this program. They acknowledged and celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of students, graduates, faculty and supervisors in this program, to the community, to their profession and to society. Dr. Levick was honored as the coordinator of these programs and received an inscribed glass sculpture. In the afternoon there was a continuing education program open to any interested professional creative arts therapist. In the evening there was a cocktail reception and celebration Dinner at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. This event included a musical serenade and the unveiling of new Creative Arts Therapy scholarships for minority and international student aid. Dr. Levick is the Honorary Chair, and the Honorary Committee is composed of past program directors, Carol Carrino, ATR-BC, Dr. Dianne Dulicai, ADTR and Dr. Cynthia Briggs, MT-BC. The first recipient of this scholarship was enrolled in 2007.
*Dr. Levick holds a dual membership, as a writer and artist, in the Boca Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. Her work will be seen at the Courtyard, Boca Raton, Fl 3/01/08 to 4/03/08 and Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton, Fl 4/03/08 to 4/30/08.
*At the Florida State Association bi annual conference of the NLAPW, Dr. Levick was awarded the Individual Achievment Award.
*Her oil and collage painting "DU IT", representing art, music and dance can be seen in the offices of the Dean, College of Nursing, Hahnemann/Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. This painting has also been published in B. Moon & R. Schoenholtz.(2004) Word Pictures.Springfield, IL. Chas C. Thomas. Publisher. p201. A water color on rice paper, "Women in Israel" has been published in B.Moon. (2002). Working With Images.Springfield, Il. Chas C. Thomas. pxxii.