Michael A. Franklin, PhD, ATR-BC, is a distinguished professor and former chair of the graduate Transpersonal Contemplative Art-Based Counseling concentration (formerly Transpersonal Art Therapy) of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Naropa University. Throughout his career, Franklin has significantly contributed to the field of art therapy as a clinician, educator, and researcher. He has directed art therapy programs at the College of St. Teresa and Bowling Green State University, and continues to work in private practice while lecturing nationally and internationally.
At Naropa, Franklin is recognized for his integration of art therapy with yoga philosophy, meditation, and studio art. His research includes more than 30 published papers on topics such as aesthetics, community-based art therapy, and contemplative practices. Notably, he founded the Naropa Community Art Studio (NCAS) in the wake of 9/11, providing a space for community-based art and fostering diverse, inclusive artistic expression. Franklin’s contributions have earned him prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Art Therapy Association.
