President, Jiseon Lee Isbara July 3, 2026
School of the Art Institute
36 S. Wabash
Chicago, Illinois 60603
CC: Martin Berger, Provost
Elia Khalaf, Chair, Art Therapy and Counseling
Adam Mack, Faculty Liaison
Sara Black, incoming faculty Liaison
Shaurya Kumar, Chair of Faculty
Roberto Sifuentes, Incoming Chair of Faculty
Dawn Gavin, Interim Dean of Faculty
Delinda Collier, Graduate Dean
Amy Vogel, Senate Chair
Jina Valentine, Incoming Senate Chair
Eric Lefkofsky, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Eliza Homer, Executive Director, Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education
Dear President Isbara:
As counselors, social workers, psychotherapists, and creative arts therapists, we are writing to express our concern about the suspension of Professor Savneet Talwar, an art therapist, artist, and educator in SAIC's Art Therapy and Counseling program. We are also requesting a brief meeting to present these items directly to you and discuss how we can constructively move forward.
As mental health professionals, we are troubled by the actions of SAIC’s administration not upholding mental health ethics and standards of practice. Refusing to engage in a case study based on a hypothetical client’s ethnicity, religious background, and support for Palestine, directly violates the Ethics codes for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), the Standard of practice set forth by the American Art Therapy Credentialing Board(ATCB), and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
As students, mental health practitioners, and educators, we are ethically bound by our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. We strongly contend that, as mental health professionals, it is our ethical obligation to engage with materials beyond our comfort zones and disentangle our own biases. As care professionals, we are obligated to serve clients, even when our personal beliefs are challenged, which is why our accrediting bodies require all students to take a class in Cultural Dimensions to demonstrate cultural competence and humility. This mandatory class is required not only for mental health professionals but also for all health care providers who require a license to practice and provide direct care to individuals.
In the context of training mental health practitioners, Professor Talwar’s case study is not only appropriate but also necessary for students to build their cultural competence when serving clients and to practice an anti-discriminatory stance. As an educator, Professor Talwar is bound by the ATCB to instruct, educate, and evaluate students to comply with “legal, regulatory, ethical, professional, and organizational standards” (ATCB, Principle 2.8). Compliance with the ACTB policies, procedures, and standards of practice holds instructors and professors who teach in any art therapy program in the United States responsible for student conduct (ATCB, Principle 3.1). Not abiding by these standards risks Professor Talwar’s Board Certification and Registration, necessary to teach and practice art therapy. Additionally, this suspension is punitive and is an infringement on Professor Talwar’s academic freedom as defined by the IL AAUP letter of June 24, 2026.
Finally, Professor Talwar's assignment is explicitly supported by the Code of Ethics in the following ways:
American Art Therapy Association Ethical Principles (2013)
3.5 Art therapists consider factors such as culture, race, gender, religion, education, disability, and other aspects of identity when conducting assessment and interpreting results.
7.1 Art therapists do not discriminate against or refuse professional services on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, culture, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any protected characteristic.
7.2 Art therapists strive to understand cultural differences in order to provide culturally relevant treatment.
7.5 Art therapists acquire knowledge about the cultural communities with whom they work while recognizing diversity within those communities.
10.5 Art therapists value participation in activities that contribute to a better community and society.
Art Therapy Credentials Board Standards of Practice (2025)
2.1(c) Art therapists shall not discriminate against or refuse professional services on any improper or illegal basis, including race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, citizenship, immigration status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
2.1(d) Art therapists shall not engage in behavior that is demeaning, disparaging, harassing, hostile, or otherwise unprofessional toward others.
2.8(ii) Art therapists communicate scholarly and accurate information when instructing students and supervisees.
2.8(iii) Art therapists educate and train students in accordance with applicable legal, ethical, professional, and organizational standards.
American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014)
A.2.c – Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity: Counselors communicate in culturally appropriate ways and adapt their practices to support clients from diverse backgrounds.
A.4.b – Personal Values: Counselors recognize and avoid imposing their own personal beliefs on clients and actively seek training where personal values may interfere with competent practice.
C.5 – Nondiscrimination: Counselors do not engage in discrimination against clients, students, supervisees, or colleagues on the basis of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, language, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics.
E.8 – Multicultural Issues in Assessment: Counselors consider the effects of culture, race, religion, language, socioeconomic status, disability, and other dimensions of identity when selecting and interpreting assessment methods.
These ethical principles collectively affirm that cultural humility, self-reflection, and the ability to engage respectfully with clients from diverse backgrounds are core competencies of professional practice. Faculty have both the right and the responsibility to teach these competencies and to evaluate students' ability to demonstrate them.
We therefore respectfully urge SAIC to:
- Immediately reinstate Professor Talwar to her teaching and administrative responsibilities.
- Publicly acknowledge the professional and reputational harm resulting from her suspension.
- Reaffirm the institution's commitment to the ethical standards governing the education of future mental health professionals.
- Protect the academic freedom of faculty to teach the professionally required curriculum without fear of disciplinary action.
- Uphold an educational environment in which students are expected to develop the cultural competence and ethical responsibilities required of licensed mental health professionals.
We are offering to meet to discuss this further and await your availability. The preparation of future counselors and art therapists depends on educators' ability to teach difficult, complex, and culturally diverse material. We urge SAIC to uphold both the ethical standards of our professions and the principles of academic freedom that are essential to higher education.
Respectfully,
Naomi Anurag Lahiri, LCSW, Staff Psychotherapist at Live Oak Chicago
Marie Shebeck, LCSW, Owner and therapist at Marie Shebeck Counseling Services, PLLC
Linda Mishu, LCSW, Therapist
Wei-Chiung Chen-Martinez, LCPC, BC-DMT, Owner and bilingual psychotherapist at True Colors Psychotherapy, PLLC
Emma Weinstein, LCSW, Owner and Therapist at A Crowded Table, PLLC
Tanya Imam, LCSW, Owner and Therapist at New Worlds Consulting & Psychotherapy, PLLC
Hope Williams, LCSW, Owner and therapist at Lichen Psychotherapy Services, PLLC
Monica Parr
Tyler Lederer-Plaskett, Silberman School of Social Work
Natalie Melo, Northwestern University
Genevieve Konijisky, Seattle University
Kathleen Barrett LSWAIC
Buba Mara
Leah Callahan, Riverbend
Malissa McSwain, MSW
Kate Schrader
Cassie Sawyer, Root to Crown Healing & Wellness
Saša Hudnik, Slovenian Association of Arts Therapists
Kady Ellison
Buffy Stout
Elizabeth Allen, Creative Pathways Counseling
Karlie Thomas
Dick Blackwell, Institute of Group Analysis(uk)
Eileen McKee, ATR-BC, Department of Veterans Affairs
Julia Parke
Tabitha Fronk LPCC, ATR-BC, ATCS, CCLS
Tatyahna Costello LMSW
Sylvie Tappert, Germany - Palestine Mental Health Network
Angela Ward
Christy Stewart
Emma Holder
Tess Weiner LMSW
Noelle Mestres Noelle E Mestres, MSW, CSW (LICSW)
Catherine Stevens BAAT, British Association of Art therapists
Chiara Paul, LPC, LAT, ATR, Divergent Art Therapy, LLC
Rachel Chainey, Art Hives
Charla Trubey-Hockman, Owner and Therapist at Whispering Willow Therapy PLLC
Monica Turewicz
Amy Babish, Art Therapist
Daniel Lanctot, Art Therapist, Blackburn College
Kate Coffield, Owner and therapist at Kate Coffield Therapy PLLC
Sarah Lofstrom, Social Worker + Professor
Grace Pappas, LCSW
Jenny Korotko, Art Therapist, JK Somatic Therapy, PLLC
Tina Zadra
Jasmina Ferček, Art Therapist, Slovenian Arts Therapists Association
Becca Kacanda
Margaret Gibson, University of Waterloo
zoe mason, Seattle University
Carol Hostetter
Constance Johnson, Lived Experience Therapy and Consulting
Lindsay Gezinski, University of Utah
Hayley Benoit, ETS REACH
Sabrina Woon-Chen
Joie Waxler
Drew Lindley MSW
Judith Lopez Albalawneh, Art Therapist
Yahaira Toruno
Shelby Graves
Liz Mearkle-Cumming, ATR, LMHC, Owner of Liz Cumming Counseling
Pamela Whitaker, Art Therapist, Ireland Groundswell
Katherine Burok
Angela Scalisi, Art Therapist
Katie Veys
Deborah Mitchell, RJ Working CIO
Lauren Wolfe, Art Therapy student
Ammara Khalid, RIA Psychological Services
Valerie Papillon, Transformative Care Therapy
Seth Warna
Jill Westwood, Art Therapist Independent
Alazandrea Thelen
Mikey Anderson, Art Therapist
Tiffany San Jose
Kayleigh Townsend
monica hofstadter LCAT ATR-BC
Lily Elliott, Art Therapist, UK Queen Margaret University
Sue Einhorn, Art Therapist, UK GANLondon
Georgia Costa, Willoughby Place
Diane Rogan Sofer, GANL
Julia Borossa, Psychotherapist and Group Analyst
Brita Macdonald, Art Therapist, Art Therapy Ealing
Sara Levi, Goodings Grove Psychology Associates
Aminah Salah
Rae Evemond, Art Therapist, Art Therapy & Counseling Studio, LLC
Susanne Bifano, Art Therapist, Staff Licensed Creative Arts Therapist at NYP
Asma Farooq Shaikh
Kimverli Halili, Little City Foundation
Susan Sticha, Art Therapist, The Children's Center for Hope and Healing
Reid Herreid, LCSW
Grace Duskey, Seattle University
Bilal Qureshi
Chris Akel
Ibrahim Shalabi
Ruaa Jaber
Linda Vasquez, Retired LCSW Child Welfare Administrator
Mai Nguyen, Zane Counseling
Katya Yaremenko
Tanya Negrey, Art Therapist, SAIC alum
Eli Eines
Rae Reed, Finding Balance
Alexandra Jordan
Anna Valianos, Owner & Therapist at Arise Therapy, PLLC
Randy Lee
Lucinda Walker, Art Psychotherapist
Noura Ebrahim LCPC
Nesreen Hasan LSW USPCN
Sam Jesner, Art Therapist
Clo Brain
Mira Elwell, LCSW Psychotherapy
Gwendolyn Tinajero-Belles, LCSW, ATR-BC, Voces de la Tierra, PLLC
Mikaela Freundlich
Kruti Patel
Danelle wylder
Johanna Henschelmann
Souzan Naser EdD, LCSW
emily fernandez, High Tide Healing pllc
Mina Mari UIC
Ricardo Ledesma, Seattle University
Lauren Callis, Art Therapist, Curiosity Studio
Carmen Rivera, Art Therapist
Devin Smith, Art Therapist
Janaya Crevier
Amanda Behnk
Aaron Wheeler, MSW
Katharine Spilker, Antioch University
Abigail Bucio
Kristen Martin Gary, harm reduction
Aly Grider, LCSW, Operating With Love
Tyler Shawgo MSW
katelyn rix, Sound Behavioral Health, Child and Family Services
Sofia Torres
Kat Cole, Seattle University
Alanna Martin, Seattle University
Ryan Morris
Sam Harrell
Rachel Voglesong
Jamie Chung
Katie Reagan, LCPC + ATR, Owner and Therapist at Wild Heart Therapy, PLLC
Blanca Sepulveda
Valerie Hobbs, University of Sheffield
Sonia Hossain
Natasha Slavin
Rachael Hoffman, Art Therapist, Ocean Heart Art Therapy
Zoe Carrell
Noopur Shah
Andrea Freerksen, Bilingual Staff Psychotherapist
Emily Langenberg
Jessica Jang
Beulah Lambert, Goldsmiths College, University of London
Annie Tabachnick, Art Therapist
Sid Jordan, social work faculty
Valery Shuman, Art Therapist, Shuman Art Therapy
Layla Kassem
Bri Cain
Iliana Rodriguez
Leani Pinzon, Art Therapist
Alex Burr, Owner and therapist at The Portable Wellbeing Studio
Micaela Foreman, GEO Local 6297
Sae Jin Lee
Yara Shadid, Olive Branch Wellness
Katie Richie, Pivot Collaborative LLC
Rodrigo Cortes Espinoza, Student of UIC
Judith Revers
Martine Ormerod, Freelance
J Paula Roderick, Law Office of J Paula Roderick
Tanuja Jagernauth, Yoga educator
Jonathan Martyn, Sheffield therapy collective
Theresa Dewey, Art Therapist, Dewey Dementia Consulting PLLC
Nadia Greenspan
Sally Skaife, Art Therapist UK
Molly Tomony LPC,MA,ATR-BC, Madison, WI
Tori Vázquez
Hannah Jones
Brittlyn Riley-Meade, Art Therapist
Nesreen Hasan LSW, Social Worker
Ava Mohtashemi, LCSW, Therapist/Clinical Social Worker
Ilā Ravichandran, Art Therapist, Individual faculty
Hannah Swenson, LCSW, Therapist
Catherine Kliegle, LCSW, Live Oak Chicago
Mattia Katz
Wendy Magee, Temple University, Philadelphia PA
Gaelan Harmon-Walker, LCAT, LPC, ATR-BC, Independent Art Therapist
Madeleine Stoelinga Abstract, LLC
Kellie Murphy MA, ATR-BC, LPC, Peace of Mind Therapy
Daniel Blausey, Art Therapist, Studio Blue: Creative Arts Therapy PLLC
Dan Summer, Art Therapist, Caldwell University
Megan Robb, Art Therapist, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Brittany Wolfson-Hahn, Prismatic Counseling Services
Salman Safir
Owen Karcher, Art Therapist, Private practice therapist and previous adjunct faculty at SAIC
Lisa Kay, Art Therapist, Temple University
Ishani Synghal, Center Focused Therapy
Ryn Thelen, LPC, NCC, Psychotherapist
Lee Ann Thill, PhD, LPAT, LPC, ATR-BC, Prism Art Therapy LLC
Lauren Johnson
kristina page, Art Therapist, UK Goldsmiths
Sarah Hall
Helen Omand, Art Therapist, UK Goldsmiths University of London
Lloyd Wheeler Art Therapist
Debra Sarlin, Art Therapist, Springfield College
Megan Crowe
Nik Wicks, LPC, ATR-P, Therapist
Mia de Béthune, PhD, ATR-BC, LCAT, SEP/ISP Owner and Therapist at Art Therapy on Hudson
Kira Silverstein LMFT
Sophia Ansari Let’s Play Therapy Institute
Bina Mangattukattil, LCSW
Felix Deiss Deiss Pscychotherapy PLLC
Cassandra Lacroix uc davis
Emily McCoy LCPC ATR-BC
Beth Rubin Beth Rubin Therapy Ltd
Tess Brieva, LCSW Lucky7 Psychotherapy PLLC
Kass Straker Creative Alchemy Counseling
Maia Kolchin-Miller
Katy Fohrman Trillium Counseling PLLC
Nichole Wilson, LCSW Mental Health Therapist
Michele Rattigan, Art Therapist, counselor, and clinical professor
Humza Malik
Mónica Guzmán, ATR, LCPC Bilingual Psychotherapist at Psychewellnes
Victoria Chávez Northwestern University
Ryan Kirkpatrick, Art Therapist
Jayashree George, Art Therapist Owner, Heart to Heart Therapist
ANNA SEYMOUR PhD PFHEA HCPC reg Dramatherapist Emeritus Professor of Dramatherapy, University of Roehampton, London
Meggie Twible Homecoming Therapies
Dejah Amos Adler University
Anjalee Verma, Art Therapist
Sean Liu Northwestern University
Davine Holness Alafia Center
Shara Ramirez Capella University (MFT student)
Virginia Mallin Virginia Mallin Psychotherapist
Liliana Zavala Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Steph Scott Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Bisan Wehbi Reach 2
Sophie Wakefield, Art Therapist Latimer Community Art Therapy
Katie Turnbull
Maria Taylor, Art Therapist Antioch University
Salma Lone
Madeleine Puschautz Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA)
Iván Camacho
Lucy Goodwin, Art Therapist UK Goldsmiths University
Winnie Wong, Art Therapist YWCA
Melissa Ulloa Art Therapist
Kelly Oberbillig
Eli King, Art Therapist UK Art Psychotherapist
Vanessa Mallin
Nadine Jones
Lauren Cameron-Rastogi, Art Therapist UK Arts Psychotherapist
Miriam Kilpatrick
Naomi Young
Jessica Crowley Tavistock Centre
Melanie West Northwestern University
Sophie Roberts, Art Therapist UK South London Art Therapy
Claire Mackevicius Assistant Professor, University of Oregon College of Education
Amy Corbett
Natalia Aniolkiewicz
Darragh Moss Queen Margaret University
Lizzy Dixon, Art Therapist SAIC MAATC Class of 2025, Lakeview Center for Psychotherapy Fellow, Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis Fellow
Elspeth Chapman Art psychotherapist in charity sector
Kelley Linhardt, LCAT ATR-BC CCTP Psychotherapist
Isaiah Kennedy
Francisco Correia
tami kaldari
Lauren Seatter-Messer, Art Therapist Art Therapist
Rosie Trevill
Karen Wright, Art Therapist, UK Regents University
Daniel Moore
Hen Lone
Nina Nguyen
Emily Ledesma, LCSW
Lou Profeta
Seth Carlson, Art Therapist Seth Michael Studio, LPC
Henny Shaw Goldsmiths University of London
Ines Loughrey
Tasha King, Art Therapist Antioch University
Diana Ali Psychologist
Julie Thiébault
Mark Marinoff mental health crisis counselor, retired from Dutchess County Mental Health, state of NY
Masciel Buys Social worker, LSW
Jay Dalton Trainee art psychotherapist
Heba Youssef, LCPC Calamansi Counseling, LLC
Davine Holness Alafia Center
Yasmine Awais, Art Therapist
Christina Marrero
Erika Poling, Art Therapist Story Within, LLC
Doralis Coriano Ortiz Founder and Bilingual Psychotherapist at Fuerza Within, PLL
Jessica Weisbach
Anna Bonick Student counselor
Marussia Role
Amy Morrison, Art Therapist Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist and Licensed
Mental Health Counselor
Nadya Farah Retired
Christine CONNER
Sarita Kvam, Art Therapist
Andres Alvarez
Andres Alvarez
Elisabeth Drewry, Art Therapist Art Therapist
Erica Erney BSW, MSW, LCSW, EOL doula
Casey Barlow
Deniz Oktay Williamsburg Body Mind Therapy
MG Hurley, Music Therapist Music Therapist
Lisa Eways The Permanente Medical Group
Amy Zajakowski Uhll Chicago Center for Integration and Healing
Najlah Therapist
Tooba Zafar
Erica Badie Davidson
Sonya Chartoff, LPC MT-BC
Jaclyn Jacunski Artist
Audrey Hausig, MMT, MT-BC Philadelphia Music Therapy
kathleen scheppe Kathleen Scheppe LMFT