Bani Malhotra, Ph.D., ATR-BC

Researcher, Art Therapist

Bani Malhotra

About Me

I am a registered, board-certified art therapist and a researcher, currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I am also an interventionist for the Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers’ Health–REACH-TBI project. REACH-TBI is an evidence-based, personalized, telehealth intervention study for caregivers of veterans/service members with Traumatic Brain Injury.

My research focuses on psychosocial recovery and rehabilitation from traumatic stress, injury and illness, particularly using arts and art therapy. Using interdisciplinary science, I conduct theory driven research studies to develop, implement, and evaluate arts interventions to improve health-related outcomes. I have authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles related to injury/ illness adjustment and rehabilitation, and art therapy in diverse settings.

As a clinician, with training in both psychology and art therapy, I have worked with individuals across the lifespan to provide counseling and art therapy services in medical, forensic, psychiatric, and school settings in India and the United States. I completed my education in psychology with a bachelor’s from Lady Shri Ram College, India and a master’s from University of Delhi, India before pursuing master’s in art therapy from The George Washington University, USA and a doctorate in Creative Arts Therapies from Drexel University, USA. I am also a certified VTS@Work® facilitator with training in the research-based methodology of using Visual Thinking Strategies completed through the Harvard Medical School.

I am enthusiastic about fostering diversity in scholarly writing and building art therapy programming in multidisciplinary settings. I am available for consultation on writing projects, and arts and health program development.