Denise (Deni) Brancheau

Deni Brancheau holds a Master’s in Art Therapy and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S), both from George Washington University. She is a Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and also a Licensed Art Therapist (LCPAT) in the State of Maryland. Deni holds an Advanced Professional Certificate as Administrator I, Supervisor of Special Education, and Teacher in Generic Special Education 6-Adult from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).  She also holds a license as a Special Education Teacher in the State of Virginia. Deni has an extensive background as a Special Education Program Director for two different non-public schools over the last 17+ years. During that time, she developed a wide range of school programming, staff trainings and facilitated curriculum development and instructional differentiation for middle and high school students with special needs.  A primary focus of Deni's work has been with adolescents identified with emotional disabilities, and students on the Autism Spectrum. She has been an active member of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Potomac Art Therapy Association (PATA) where she has held several positions over the last 20+ years. As an Art Therapist, Deni has worked in residential/inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, public and non-public school settings and as a field supervisor. She has led workshops and presentations at the AATA national conferences, for MANSEF and for other organizations and universities. Deni has been an adjunct professor in the GW Art Therapy Program since 1995 and was a full time visiting professor during the 2013-14 academic year. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University-School of Social Work. Deni has a strong interest in the connections between creativity, defiant behavior and academic achievement in the school environment. Deni is in private practice and specializes in work with children and adolescents, adult self-growth work and ATR supervision. To find out more about her private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, contact her at 703-851-3500. Deni has displayed her artwork in several exhibitions and engages in her own art making as often as possible.

Publications

Brancheau, D. (2013). Art therapy as a treatment choice for autism spectrum disorders. In P. Howie, S. Prasad & J. Kristel (Eds.). Using art therapy with diverse populations crossing cultures and abilities (pp. 143-152). London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Classes Taught

• Survey of Art Therapy
• Art Therapy in the Schools
• Introduction to Art Therapy
• Adolescent Art Therapy
• Practicum Supervision
• Field Supervisor
• Counseling/Process of Art Therapy I
• Group Process
• Career Counseling and Art Therapy