Caldwell University art therapy community treatment center named for alumna Mary Jo Codey ‘77

Caldwell, N.J., March 11, 2023 – The Caldwell University art therapy community treatment center is now officially “The Mary Jo Codey Community Treatment Center for Counseling Art Therapy,” named in honor of alumna Mrs. Mary Jo Codey ‘77.  

The wife of former governor Richard J. Codey was honored with the announcement at a ribbon-cutting celebration ceremony on Caldwell’s campus on Saturday, March 11 with alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends and family in attendance.   

“This is a deeply meaningful recognition for Mary Jo,” said Codey, a state senator and the longest serving member of the Legislature. “She has been a tireless advocate for mental health — as a teacher, a parent, in her public life and as a driving force behind the Codey Fund for Mental Health. On behalf of our family, we are grateful the University has recognized Mary Jo, especially during Women’s History Month.”

Caldwell University President Matthew Whelan, Ph.D. said the counseling art therapy community treatment center is truly a distinctive feature of Caldwell University. “We are wholly grateful to Governor and Mary Jo Codey for their unwavering commitment to the mental health needs of our population. We look forward to the ways in which we can engage the community, while providing hope and healing through the power of art therapy, to a broad range of clients and organizations.” 

Cindy Concannon, director of the Center said, “We are delighted to celebrate the grand opening of The Mary Jo Codey Community Treatment Center for Counseling Art Therapy where we are now providing services to adults in the local area.”

Mrs. Codey said it was a very touching experience, and that she is so grateful to Caldwell for all they have given her “throughout my life,”  not just the four years while she was in college.  

Kevin McManemin, grants and community outreach manager for The Healthcare Foundation of NJ, a longtime philanthropic partner of the University, said they have been proud to support the art therapy program at Caldwell over the years. “We are immensely gratified to see this space opened up today to begin to offer this life-altering therapy to more patients.”

Mrs. Codey has previously shared about her struggle with postpartum depression in order to help others. She and her husband started the Codey Fund for Mental Health.

Attendees of the ribbon-cutting had the chance to take part in art-making for self expression.  An experiential workshop was  led by adjunct art therapy faculty member Maria Lupo, a board certified art therapist and eco-artist and local watercolor artist Marilyn Rose, who was selected for artist residencies in NYC’s Bryant Park and Arad, Israel, demonstrated live loose watercolor sketches as the event was happening. 

More About the Center

The Mary Jo Codey Community Treatment Center for Counseling Art Therapy provides the public with access to innovative, person-centered, clinical services demonstrating the  University’s commitment to the larger community.

Counseling Art Therapy services are available to the public on the campus of Caldwell University. Counseling Art Therapy services have been used to enhance the lives of individuals and families through art-making and verbal processing. Counseling Art Therapy services can help solve problems such as:

• stress due to physical and mental health
• career concerns
• relationship issues
• grief and loss
• life transition

For more information, visit www.caldwell.edu/art-therapy-treatment-services/

Programs in Art Therapy

Caldwell offers highly qualified undergraduate psychology and art majors a combined B.A. in Psychology/ M.A. in counseling with Art Therapy Concentration. 

Caldwell offers graduate programs in art therapy including an M.A. in Counseling with Art Therapy Specialization and a postgraduate M.A. in Art Therapy.